Book Review: Betty Goes Vegan by Annie and Dan Shannon

I love the library and don’t buy all that many books. However, this cookbook
by Annie and Dan Shannon has been purchased and will have a permanent
place on my bookshelf, for sure. It’s not a raw recipe book, but for those who are interested in simple, tasty, plant based dishes, it’s perfect. I’m not 100% raw myself, but I’m always vegan … and so these recipes really work for me when I want something cooked.

Here are some of the things I liked about it. First of all, this book is crazy
huge with 500 recipes on almost 500 pages. At the current Amazon price
of $18.59 for the book that’s less than four cents per recipe. A
definite bargain.

I like Annie’s friendly and clever writing
style. She has a distinct, unpretentious, and helpful voice that makes
it feel a lot like I’m sitting across the table discussing food with
her.

Many of these recipes are comfort foods that resemble what
my own mom made when I was a kid. One of my favorites from the book is
the Toffee Bars on page 309. I took it to a family event and had more
than one person exclaim, “But I thought you were vegan?!” I love being
able to show people how great vegan food can be, and this book really
helps. The photos are good, though I wish there were more of them, and
the recipes are explained well enough that it’s not really a deficit.

I
think the little bit of criticism over the use of faux meat in this
book is perhaps misplaced. “Vegan” means not using animals. These are
convenient vegan recipes using fairly commonly found vegan ingredients.
There are many vegans and wanna be vegans who will find it extremely
helpful to be able to make familiar food with some ready made things.
And guess what? It’s still kinder, healthier, and gentler to the planet
than using animals.

This book would be useful to anyone … with
some excellent recipes for long time vegans like myself, as well as
scads of recipes that will leave new vegans relieved, confident, and
well fed. It seems especially promising, too, for the vegan curious who
wonder whatever would they eat if they stopped using animals.

I really enjoy this book and think it’s a fine addition to any kitchen’s bookshelf.

I’ve been struggling with camera issues (which have been resolved! … I’m in love with my new Canon T4i) and haven’t taken any photos of what I’ve made from Betty Goes Vegan, but you can find the related food porn and some spectacular recipes at Annie and Dan’s website, Meet The Shannons.

And of course, you can buy the book in your local book store or BUY HERE from Amazon. 

🙂