Easy. Whole. Vegan.

September 19, 2016
After both daughters endured harrowing digestive-related illnesses as infants and toddlers, King (DIY Nut Milks, Nut Butters & More), vegetarian for years, in 2012 switched to vegan, “clean” eating—a plant-based diet eschewing processed foods. King claims improved health for all four family members, notably younger daughter Olive, who had the most serious issues. The insistence on whole foods distinguishes the book, a nice change from the reliance on packaged and processed found in others mining a similar vein. Recipes are sensibly classified as “Easy” (slow-cooker), “Make Ahead,”
or “Entertain.” The “Make It Yummy” chapter covers some of the most vital vegan preparations, such as macadamia nut cheese sauce, cashew cream, and coconut whipped cream. A few problems persist, most concerning cooking nuts and bolts—e.g., a vegetable stock recipe calling for six hours’ cooking over high heat, specifying “medium saucepan” rather than griddle or similar for pancakes, or suggesting Hatch chiles, which can be very hot indeed, as a no-heat substitute. These missteps will be discouraging for beginning cooks, likely the book’s target audience.

August 1, 2016

By adopting a gluten-free and vegan diet devoid of processed foods, King (DIY Nut Milks, Nut Butters & More) says, she and her family were able to overcome several serious health conditions. Here, the author shares quick and make-ahead recipes including Moroccan carrot salad, cinnamon roll muffins, white bean and zucchini burgers, and macadamia nut cheese sauce that encourage busy readers to try a similar lifestyle. There are whole chapters devoted to slow cooker and refrigerator-friendly recipes, as well as chapters on sauces, smoothies, and dishes that will feed a crowd. King's focus on low-stress, time-saving techniques recalls titles such as Katie Workman's Dinner Solved!, but the author's recipes are geared toward a very specific audience. VERDICT A nice selection of everyday recipes for those who can't eat dairy or gluten and are interested in ingredients such as chia and flax seeds, coconut oil, and hemp hearts.

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