Customer Reviews

Lorna Sass' Short-Cut Vegetarian: Great Taste in No Time

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Every cookbook I own has a focus. Some are ethnic cookbooks. Some are gourmet cookbooks. Some are comprehensive references.

This cookbook's focus is speed. Every recipe lists the "prep time" and "cook time", and for almost all recipes those times are each between 5 and 15 minutes.

Each recipe consists of a short list of ingredients, and the preparation directions are clear and super-concise. Occasionally, one ingredient in a recipe will be a product of another recipe, which is usually a pet peeve of mine in cookbooks, but such ingredients are rare and always have store-bought equivalents if you don't want to prepare them yourself.

Many of the recipes can also be converted from leftovers into a different form -- the quinoa / potato / corn / pepper pilaf easily becomes a stew with a couple cups of water and some veggie stock powder. This is especially handy if you primarily cook just for yourself (as I do.)

I only have two complaints about the book, and they're not major. The first is the lack of all photography, although it sure makes the cookbook unbelievably inexpensive, so it's a fair trade.

My second (minor) complaint is that either I'm a slow cook, or her prep times assume that the ingredients are already as specified -- a recipe will call for chopped carrots, diced pepper, diced tofu, etc. and I think the prep time assumes you already have it all diced and chopped. Either that, or it's simply that I'm chopping everything by hand rather than with a food processor. Either way, the recipes generally seem to take me roughly 150% to 200% of the time she allots. Since I'm not a professional chef (to say the least) I can totally accept that this is just me being slow.

If you're like me, you browse Amazon and add most things to your wish list, only buying fairly sparsely of the items that are really compelling. If so, buy this book. It's inexpensive, and it's fantastic. In just the past week I've owned it, it has dramatically changed the quality and diversity of what I eat at home.

I'm a vegeterian. I don't eat meat, dairy, eggs or fish. It's been very difficult to cook for my family. I finally found this book which has excellent recipes. My husband is not a vegetarian but, seems to love all the meals I've been preparing lately. He is now considering on becoming a vegan too. The recipes are super easy and the ingredients can be easily found at the supermarket.

Since I own hundreds of cookbooks, it's rather difficult to actually use them all, especially on a regular basis. However, I LOVE this one, and it's used quite regularly. Some of the recipes have become family favorites that we make often. The recipes really are easy too! Good food fast & easy!

As someone who is trying to eat vegetarian most of the time, I am delighted to have found this cookbook (through the recommendation of Dr. Andrew Weil). The recipes are easy, delicious, non-intimidating, lowfat, and flavorful. My meat-loving husband even enjoys the meals I make from this cookbook. In particular, it is very helpful that Lorna Sass recommends particular brands of products that are better than others (for example, certain canned beans are better than others). Out of all my cookbooks, I find myself turning to this one most often.

This little book is AWESOME. I recommend it for anyone with little time to cook (college students, working moms, anybody else!). The recipes are great - easy and fast (be sure to read the side bars as they provide simple ideas to vary the basic recipes). But, I think the best part of this book is that it really teaches you how to cook fast, healthy food. I find myself applying her time-saving methods to other recipes or to creations of my own. This is the book that I turn to when I want a nice meal in 30 minutes or less.

I've been very happy with all of Lorna Sass' cookbooks (she even got me into using a pressure cooker!). This one is no exception - lots of neat quick soups, salads, stews and other dishes that don't require a lot of work to prepare or (especially nice) clean up since they're done mostly in one pot/pan. Lots of variety - dips/spreads, curries, stirfry, grain/pasta dishes, and straight vegetables too. Really a good cookbook to have onhand for when you don't feel like cooking up a big deal but want something satisfying.

I bought this book on a whim, but it has quickly become the one I turn to most often during the week, when cooking time is at a premium. Its recipes are imaginative and as quick to execute as the author promises. The gingered quinoa/butternut squash dish is a favorite, as is the kale/udon noodles; these and several others in the book are one-pot meals.

As is the case in many households these days, we have a very limited amount of time available for preparing meals. As devoted fans of other Lorna Sass cookbooks, we were thrilled when she came to our rescue in the form of this cookbook. It provides quick and easy solutions to people who have a limited amount of time to make dinner--but still want healthy, flavorful meals. What terrific recipes! We absolutely LOVE the Chickpea Curry in a Hurry. Another standout is the lemon-tahini sauce, which you can use either alone as a salad dressing or as an ingredient in a fabulous jerusalem chickpea sandwich filling.

We gave this cookbook to a good friend of ours (a terrific gift for other people pressed for time!), and she loved it. She became a devoted fan of the recipes and raved to us about the overnight pineapple oats.

A definite "must" for everyone. Add it to your Lorna Sass collection, or use it to start your collection. Chances are, you will be tempted to check out other Lorna Sass cookbooks--an impulse that I heartily recommend you indulge!

Like all of Lorna Sass's vegetarian cookbooks, this one is a winner. The recipes are not only very tasty but also easy and quick to prepare--perfect for people on the go. If you only buy one cookbook this year, choose this one

The recipes are delicious, healthy and easy to make. I bought this book almost 10 years ago and still make many of the recipes on a regular basis.