Vegan Feasts - Book Review

Vegan Feasts by Rose Elliot. $11.87 at Amazon.com. Published 2001 Thorsons Publishing, 176 pages.

While it isn't difficult for vegans to modify most vegetarian recipes, it is nice not to have to. A quality vegan recipe book is important for those of us who don't use products from animals and who want diversity in our meals.

Rose Elliot dispels many of the myths commonly associated with vegetarian and vegan diets. At the beginning of her book, Elliot deals with misconceptions that much of society has concerning protein, iron, calcium and vitamin B12. After putting the reader's mind to rest concerning these items, Elliot briefly states some of the benefits of vegetarian and vegan diets.

"Nutritionally, vegetarian and vegan diets are not problematical and there are, in fact, numerous health benefits. It is weird that although every health study undertaken points to the positive health benefits of a vegetarian or vegan diet (and the disadvantages of animal fats and proteins), people still worry that in becoming vegetarian or vegan we maybe risking our health! The evidence points to exactly the opposite. For instance, the Oxford Vegetarian Study--an ongoing study of 6,000 vegetarians and 5,000 meat-eaters over 12 years--examined the likelihood of dying from cancer or heart disease. The interim results, reported on 25 June 1994, show that vegetarians and vegans have a 40 percent reduced risk of dying from cancer, a 30 percent reduced risk of heart disease and a 20 percent reduced risk of premature mortality from all other causes. Another piece of research has shown that vegans and vegetarians are five times less likely to be admitted to hospital than meat-eaters. Indeed, numerous other studies h ave come up with similar findings that there are huge health benefits to be gained by becoming vegetarian and then taking the next logical step and becoming vegan. Apart from the personal benefits, such a move has a positive impact on world ecology and reduces animal suffering."

The book has a variety of nutritious recipes in the following sections: Soups; Dips; Sandwiches and Bread-based Snacks; Salads, Dressings and Appetizers; Sauces; Pastry Dishes; Pasta Dishes; Legume Dishes; Grain and Nut Dishes; Potato Dishes; Desserts; and Scones, Cakes and Cookies. As with her book Vegetarian Christmas, Elliot's recipes are easy to prepare and sound delicious. Each recipe includes the number of servings it makes and many recipes include variations. A few of the recipes that I'm looking forward to trying are: Lentil Loaf, Stuffed Nut Roast, Instant Vegan Raspberry Ice, Christmas (plum) Pudding, Spring Rolls with Dipping Sauce, and Bread Sauce. Vegan Feasts is an excellent recipe book that will be a significant addition to any vegetarian's or vegan's cookbook library!

COPYRIGHT 2002 Vegetarian Baby and Child
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group