Customer Reviews

Quick Vegetarian Pleasures: More than 175 Fast, Delicious, and Healthy Meatless Recipes

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I cannot say enough great things about this cookbook. First of all, several of the recipes in this book have become "classics" in our house (like the "Capellini with Tomato Pesto," "Herb Oat Bread," and the "Maple Fruit Crisp"). What's great about this book is that everything is quick and easy to make, using simple ingredients (the Capellini dish can be made with stuff you already have in your pantry), and the results are tasty and satisfying every time. What I really like about Lemlin's recipes is that she does not skimp on flavor as so many vegetarian cookbooks do. In other words, a little olive oil, butter, or nuts won't kill you if eaten in moderation! The categories in this book are: Appetizers, Soups, Breads & Muffins, Salads & Salad Dressings, Sandwiches & Spreads, Entrees (pasta, grains, vegetables, beans, tofu dishes), Side Dishes, Vegetarian Barbecue dishes, Desserts. There is also a listing at the back of the book of "Menus" that make entertaining or putting together a family dinner much easier. There are menu suggestions for Thanksgiving, vegetarian barbecues, easy dinners, buffet parties, etc. In other words, there's something for everyone. The dessert section is really great, too, which is unusual for a vegetarian cookbook (chocolate cake, apple cake, etc.). I have given many copies to friends and family with confidence that they will love this book as much as I do. You will love this book!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this cookbook, but it turned out to be a great investment! I've tried nearly thirty recipes from Lemlin's book and they are all wonderful, as well as easy to prepare. Some other vegetarian cookbooks turn out tasteless meals, but not this cookbook. Instead, Lemlin relies on easily found flavor enhansors, like Wasabi, or soy sauce, or even just good-old garlic to boost flavor and boy, does it work!

My family especially enjoyed the recipes for the vegetarian barbeque... who knew it could be so good?! She's got great sandwich and salad ideas, too, as well as main dishes that are different from the standard vegetarian fare. The whole family loved the meals from Lemlin's cookbook - yummy dishes! Thumbs up and Bon Appetit!

Even non-vegetarians like myself can find excellent recipes in this book. My husband and I have made several, and all work as written and are delicious. Tomato, basil pesto is fabulous and my husband now makes large batches of the sauce and freezes it, which works great. I have had great success with several of her quick bread recipes and appetizers, and her method for baking a fritatta is the best and super easy. The dishes are flavorful (we sometimes add a little more garlic) and not heavy on the brown lentil and tofu dishes that seem to be the mainstays of some vegetarian cookbooks. One does not need a lot of cooking experience to be able to follow these recipes; the directions are quite clear and simple.

I've used a number of recipes from this cookbook and have been mostly pleased. There are some nice deviations from the typical ingredients, including a few vegetables and grains I hadn't used before. The green bean and red pepper dish has become a staple in my home, and some of the other recipes inspired me to try different casserole dishes. Overall, I think it's a nice addition to my little cookbook collection.

However, most of the recipes in this book are very high in calories and fat. The author uses a LOT of butter and cheese--practically every recipe calls for a tablespoon or more of butter and mounds of cheese. Yes, you can cut back on these high fat additions and substitute oil in some places, but overall I would not call these recipes particularly healthy. I use most of the recipes only occasionally because of this.

Although I am vegan, I have turned to this cookbook many times when in a pinch. I have been able to adapt many of the recipes to make them vegan and we have been satified with the results. This is a great cookbook for those who are lacto-ovo-veg. The recipes are easy and very tasty. The one very important thing I would like to point out is that all of the recipes are quick to put together, but some aren't quick to cook. I still would definitely recommend this cookbook. I don't know what I would do without it.

This may be my favorite cookbook. I can't think of a recipe I've tried that wasn't great, and many have become staples - especially Penne with Spinach and Chickpeas in garlic sauce (still great and even easier with frozen spinach, garlic from a jar and cans of chickpeas and diced tomatoes!). Other favorites are Scalloped Kale and potatoes, Vegetable Couscous, Streusel Pumpkin Bread, Pasta and Vegetable Gratin...I could go on and on! The recipes are easy and use easy-to-find ingredients. The author's eating philosophy is everything in moderation. Sounds good to me!

I have had this cookbook for about 5 years. It is still my favorite. Everything I have made has consistently been a success and as advertised quick.

This cookbook is also a great gift. I have given this cookbook numerous times and it has always recieved rave reviews.

I'm not even a vegetarian, and I love this book. There are many of Lemlin's dishes that are special enough for entertaining, and, as promised, they really are quick to fix. She doesn't fall into the exotic ingredient trap, either - one trip to the supermarket will do ya. I usually check cookbooks out from the library before I purchase them, and this one passed the test!

I own almost 50 cook books, and this is my favorite. The recipes are quick, unique, and delicious. I recommend this book to all of my friends. You don't have to be a cook to follow the extreemly easy directions. The author did a great job. No pictures, because there's no room. It's jam packed with delicious meals yet-to-be!

I would have given this 5 stars, except that occasionally the recipes aren't so quick and some are a little high in fat. For example, if you decide to choose brown rice for a recipe, that takes 45 minutes to cook (so it isn't really quick.) Some of the desserts skyrocket with fat. If you know how to do subsitutions and/or if you don't mind going a little crazy occasionally, they have ALL been delicious so far. My hubby frequently asks for repeats of his favorites.