Customer Reviews

Vegan Lunch Box

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I expected this book to be good as I was already a big fan of the vegan lunchbox blog but WOW! This cookbook is so much more than I expected, so much more than the title even suggests.

This book is now the first thing I turn to when I am looking for something for dinner - and if I'm lucky, there may be some leftovers for the lunchbox the next day. As I read through the book, I began marking pages of recipes I wanted to try but I soon stopped . . . because I found that I wanted to try just about every single one. I figured I'd just cook my way through the whole book.

The book is organized into the following sections: Quick and Easy (sandwiches, easy dips, etc.); Rise and Shine (for those who want to cook in the morning - biscuits, gingerbread, cornbread, muffins); Ready and Waiting (recipes you can make in advance like soups, breadsticks, pizza); Lunch Box Advenure (my favorite - lots of ethnic recipes like samosas, dahl, sushi, tamales, spring rolls. They are not only delicious but really fun to make with your children).

I just love the way this book is written. McCann puts together entire lunch menus and for the items you don't make yourself, she gives suggestions for brands. Tidbits and stories are scattered throughout the book, such as: "How much to Pack," "Fitting In [for vegan kids]," "Let's Hear It for Legumes," and my favorite "And then, a miracle occurred . . . " about the momentous event of McCann's son eating his first salad. McCann has such an engaging way of writing that it's enjoyable just to read through this book.

This is really a great cookbook - and definitely not just for lunches. It's great whether or not you have children, whether or not you're vegan. The recipes are creative and delicious and very well tested. My only critism of the book (and this is really nitpicking) is that I would have liked a better index. If you don't know the exact name of the recipe, it's really hard to find it in the index. But that is just a minor detail and would not in the least deter me from whole-heartedly recommending this truly excellent book. I have shelves and shelves full of cookbooks and this is the one I am turning to most - for breakfast, dinner - and lunch.

For more detailed info about the recipes I've tried - go to my blog at http://catheolson.blogspot.com

I ordered a copy of this book for myself, and after testing the recipes for a few weeks, I ordered this as a gift for my friends who have kids, or who are vegan themselves, or who just are good cookbook enthusiasts. This book has much to offer those varied groups.

The book is divided into 3 parts: the first is for super-easy meals for those who may find packing a lunch a daunting task. It is good at helping new cooks feed their children (or spouses, or themselves) with creative, appealing and tasty food.

The second part of the book has recipes for things you could make for dinner, and that would still be tasty the next day in lunch form (which usually means at room temperature, and after the knock-about transport to the lunch location). These are good recipes for the time-limited cook who can't afford to go to special work to make something just for lunch.

The third part of the book is for the dedicated lunch-maker or the adventurous cook. The recipes here are still tried-and-true and foolproof, however they are outside the typical fare. They may be special occasion theme meals for holidays, or dishes inspired by other cultures that use uncommon spices and flavorings (but are never too spicy for the typical American kid's palate.)

I've had nothing but success with the recipes. I made the Ethiopian-inspired meal that included homemade Injera bread (a flat skillet-bread made with teff flour) with Spicy Vegetable Wat (like a stew) and was delightfully surprised at the depth of flavor and ease of preparation. Best of all, it was not spicy, so it is good for those who always order "no stars" in the restaurant, while still being extremely full-flavored. (The recipe does suggest where to up the spice if the eaters are more spice tolerant, too.)

My only complaint about the book is the indexing. I would have appreciated a list at the front of the book with recipe titles for each item in each section. But there are multiple indexes at the back, including an index broken out by whether the recipe falls into certain allergen-free categories (such as gluten-free). Being vegan, all recipes are already dairy-free and egg-free.

This book would be an ideal gift for the health-conscious mom or dad of school age children who strives to serve their kids appealing and tasty food that is secretly also nutritious. It would be a great book for the new-to-being-vegan adult who is at a loss for finding recipes that will travel well to work. And it would be welcome in the library of any omnivore cook who needs some ideas of recipes to bring to potlucks (since potluck-friendly food often needs to follow the same rules as kid-friendly lunchboxes, namely items that are easy to identify, travel well, and aren't too spicy) or for when the entertain their vegan or health-conscious friends.

I loved reading Vegan Lunch Box, as I have many cookbooks, but I also felt a special connection with the author because of her great writing style. As a lousy cook myself, I felt so encouraged by reading her recipes, they seemed so simple, so straightforward, and they were real food. I was a little afraid to actually try a recipe, lest failure result and discouragement set in as had happened so many times before with various other cookbooks. Well, I'm happy to write that my Vegan Lunch Box dishes were a success! My kids asked for second and third helpings of the Almond Sweet Potatoes and the Heart Beet Salad, amazing! My husband loved the autumn leaf tarts, although as a meat eater he said he would have liked a bit of chicken in them. We also made the gingerbread cookies, so simple, so fun to make with kids, so healthy. I even was able to make the icing, another success. Although initially it seemed like a failure because the icing was all clumpy, I pressed on knowing that Jen McCann had timetested all the recipes, and the result was great icing! We even colored it pink for valentines day, and there was so much dough that half is sitting in the freezer for another day (hope it freezes well). So, to make a long story short, I am thrilled with Vegan Lunch Box and have found it really great for a non-vegan and beginner cook like me. The blog is great too. ;-)

You don't have to be a vegan to appreciate the
varied, healthful, and delicious recipes in this book.
My coworkers are envious of the snacks and lunches
I bring to work!

The daily photographs of Schmoo's lunches made my mouth water for months, so I pre-ordered this book as soon as it became available. It is even better than I expected. Jennifer's empanada recipe produced better empanadas than my mother's (I grew up in Puerto Rico; we're serious about empanadas) and tonight I served the crown jewel recipe from the book, Vegan Wellington. My dinner party guests (some vegan some not) were blown away. I am so thankful to Jennifer and her VLB project, because it was the best thing that ever happened to my cooking. The recipes are easy, wholesome, and sure-to-be crowd pleasers.

Jennifer McCann is amazing! No more needs to be said, but for the sake of disbelievers I will continue. Chef Extraordinaire may be the ultimate compliment for some cookbook authors, but few can claim the title of "Creative Super-Mom." Jennifer's playful imagination is well matched by her overall talent in the kitchen, compassionate vegan lifestyle, and evident love for her now school-aged son.

Jennifer made her worldwide debut as the author of the blog, Vegan Lunch Box, where she memorializes the various lunches she sends to school with her son. Her following has grown exponentially in just over a year with vegans and omnivores alike. As one of her loyal subjects, I was elated to see this book come to fruition so quickly. Thus far, I have not been disappointed.

Vegan Lunch Box, the book, is fun and witty. It is enjoyable to read, not something I would usually say about a cookbook. Jennifer includes anecdotes, cooking tips, healthful hints, and product suggestions (including her favorite brand of lunch box, of course!).

Though the pictures of Jennifer's lunch box menus are beautiful, creative, and eye-catching, the recipes are relatively simple. Most are from scratch, but she does not hesitate to use and make suggestions of shortcuts. Canned beans are typically recommended over dried; while store bought cookies, vegan sausage, dairy-free cream cheese, and other natural foods are used when it is more practical.

I also discovered that the recipes in this cookbook are kid-friendly AND husband-friendly. I thought there was no way I would get my husband to eat a pita pocket, let alone one without any meat filling. In fact, I almost didn't serve him the Chickpea Salad Pita (with Cheezy Roasted Chickpeas) that I was preparing for my own vegan lunch box. However, his desire to not lift a finger prompted him to say, "I'll try whatever you're making." He loved it! I was in shock. Armed with a freshly opened bag of whole-wheat pita, I decided to try the Pita Sandwich with Flaxy Hummus the next day. It was equally delicious, yet uncomplicated.

The chapters are themed, with "menus" throughout. This makes for a good read and lots of inspiration, though I found it a bit difficult for referencing or for seeking out recipes to use what I have on hand. However, the author has added a handy food allergy index that notes which recipes are also nut-free, soy-free, gluten-free, or wheat-free (all recipes are dairy, egg, honey, and meat free).

Whenever I am in a lunchtime rut, this will certainly be my go to book. This week, I am looking forward to trialing the "Eat Your Oatmeal" Pancakes and the Lunch Box Fondue. So many fun recipes, so little time!

I have made at least a dozen recipes so far from this book and every single one has been FANTASTIC. Some of the recipes have become family favorites already and I have made them again and again because they are so delicious. I highly recommend this book!

If I was a man I would try to marry this woman. As it is I just wish I could be her, or have half of her creative enthusiasm. She takes her passion seriously, and her shmoo is one lucky little guy. Hard to imagine a little boy happily eating all those different kinds of foods. This book is inspirational, how to make it fun for your kid to eat right. Instead of being the one kid who "can't" eat what others are eating, your child can be the envy of all the others. I love it. I won't wait until my daughter starts school, we'll have to pack up some picnic lunches in the meantime! FABULOUS!

I thought I was doing pretty well on portable lunch... until I realized that often last night's pasta and fried rice were sitting in my backpack while I wasted money at the food court. Now my coworkers are unabashedly nosey and jealous of my four course meals (I totally got the kids laptop lunchbox--too poor to afford the fancy adult one) and I still assemble them the night before while I'm preparing dinner, so you don't have to be a stay-at-home-mom to have time for this. Besides, this book is so cute it hits all your competetive buttons :)

Easy to follow instructions. Photos that will make your mouth water. Recipies that appeal to any type of eater, and satisfy any diet. This book is a winner!