Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family [Paperback]

Ken Haedrich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1998

In this book, Ken Haedrich shows that it is not only very possible, but also easy, fun and utterly scrumptious to raise your family on an entirely meat-free diet. The father of four (ages 6 to 14), Haedrich is the master of the vegetarian family menu.



The emphasis here is on family, and Haedrich offers over 250 recipes that consider such important issues as: Does it taste good? Will my family eat it? Can I prepare this in a reasonable amount of time? Are the ingredients easy to find? And, is it healthy and balanced? The book also features special sections designed specially for kids. Written in Haedrich's warm, endearing style, the book is filled with little anecdotes, family jokes and traditions, special recipe contributions from his kids, hints, secrets and tips which make it inviting, appealing and completely accessible. Ken Haedrich welcomes you into his family and into his kitchen to help introduce your family to vegetarianism. Yes, it is possible to raise a healthy, happy, well-fed vegetarian family. And in this book, Ken Haedrich shows you how to do it with easy-to-follow instructions, fun for the family and undeniably delicious results.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family, author Ken Haedrich emphasizes family. This cookbook is intended for folks who have kids--and all the mealtime challenges that incur as a result. In compiling these recipes, Haedrich recognized the wide range of variations that exist in his target audience: there are families who have raised their kids on a vegetarian diet since day one and others who are only now considering the change. There are people who eschew all animal products, from butter to shoe leather (vegans), and others who include dairy products in their diets (ovo-lacto vegetarians). Some readers might be dedicated to a meatless way of life, while others are looking only for the occasional meatless meal. Whatever the requirements, there's something for everyone in Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family.

Haedrich states his philosophy early on: when it comes to feeding children, flavor is all that matters. Kids won't care if there's meat in the spaghetti sauce or the chili, so long as it tastes good. These recipes might not make it into the pages of the glossy gourmet magazines, but they'll have even the most picky eaters asking for seconds. The book includes recipes for snack foods, sandwiches (both hot and cold), salads and soups, main dishes, casseroles, quick breads, desserts, and much more. So whether you're looking to supplement your vegetarian diet or hoping to introduce your family to a new and healthier way of eating, Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family offers both helpful advice and great recipes to get you and your kids off on the right foot.

From Publishers Weekly

"Eat your vegetables!" That once dreaded parental directive is given a deliciously new spin by Haedrich (whose Home for the Holidays won a 1993 Julia Child Cookbook Award). Haedrich has devised over 200 appealing starters, entrees, side dishes and desserts to please the confirmed?or occasional?vegetarian family. From positively inspired Salad Burritos (kids roll their own) to Sesame Peanut Noodles and savory enchiladas, frittas, pizzas, gratins, curries and quesadillas, dishes are not only attractive to kids but also flavorful enough for the discriminating adult. Some, like Mom's Squash With Applesauce, have few ingredients and can be quickly put together for family suppers; others, such as multi-step Neoclassical Polenta Lasagna are meant for special occasions. Kids are invited into the kitchen to help, and Haedrich, father of four, understands their food foibles and deals with them humorously (slipping them, say, Deliciously Disguised Mushrooms, sauteed, pureed and tucked into risotto). Haedrich is an expert baker and his recipes for breads, tortillas and cakes are especially notable; "Food for Thought" sidebars offer valuable tips and advice. Food and philosophy are first-rate here, and Haedrich proves to be a warm and amusing kitchen companion.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553379364
• ISBN-13: 978-0553379365
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #325,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Health

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly written by a family man, October 20, 2001

By 

Megan Knorpp (Provo, UT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family (Paperback)

I too first saw this book at the public library and afterwards had to have it for my own. This book has really given me a lot of range for cooking veggie. Most veggie cookbooks call for things you can only find in specialty stores and yield dishes that husbands nor children will touch. I have really appreciatted a veggie cookbook that also comments on how to get you kid to like veggie food. It made me happy to find a pizza SECTION instead of some off the wall pizza recipe! This is a great cookbook for veggie and non-veggie families alike as it truly considers time, taste and expense.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast becoming my favorite cookbook..., February 13, 2005

By 

K. K. Barre "Quot libros, quam breve tempus." (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family (Paperback)

As a long time vegetarian with two small children, I'm always looking for ways to make good healthy veggie coooking "family friendly". This cookbook succeeds marvellously! In a few short months the pages have become well loved--the tahini dressing is now a staple in our fridge, the mushroom/wild rice soup (vegan, at that!) in much demand in the winter months. I have yet to make something that didn't turn out delicious!

Haedrich has an enjoyably readable style, and the anecdotes about his children's likes and dislikes and family traditions make this a "read it cover to cover" cookbook. There are plenty of suggestions about how to modify recipes for picky kids (perish the thought!), or how to perk up the same recipe to make it more "grown up". I love the author's understanding of what it is really like to cook with a family--no pristine test kitchen recipes here.

If you are looking for delicious, hearty, healthy and kid-friendly dishes, this is an absolute gem!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book makes it EASY to be a vegetarian!, April 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family (Paperback)

My husband and I have only been vegetarians for three years and this book certainly contributed to our success when we were first starting. The recipes are incredible, hearty and traditionally-based. The ratings of many dishes by his family add to the charm of the book as well and are really good indicators of how delicious the item is going to be to you and to your children. We highly recommend this cookbook to any family - you don't have to be vegetarian to love these dishes!