Vegan World Fusion Cuisine: Over 200 Award-Winning Recipes, Second Edition [Hardcover]

Mark Reinfeld (Author), Bo Rinaldi (Author), Chefs of the Blossoming Lotus (Author), Jane Goodall (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 4, 2004

Vegan World Fusion Cuisine is a celebration of over 200 international gourmet vegan and live food cuisine recipes. In a simple and easy to follow format, it introduces the ingredients and techniques that allow you to awaken the creative chef within, gently guiding you towards a lighter, more healthful diet.

So much more than a cookbook, this Wisdom Work for the 21st century from the Chefs of The Blossoming Lotus Restaurant on Kauai, HI, is designed as a manual for nonviolent living, with a comprehensive resource guide that lists over 50 groups and organizations working for peace and a sustainable future.

A moving foreword by Dr. Jane Goodall and an endorsement by John Robbins highlights its aim to inspire peace, unity and understanding among individuals, cultures and all who care about our planet.

With stunning food photography and breathtaking sacred site images from around the world, as well as countless wisdom sayings, our book is sure to be a cherished keepsake and reminder of the beauty and hope that life on our planet has to offer.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" A masterpiece containing over 200 delicious international gourmet vegan recipes, beautifully presented." -- Kauai Magazine, Spring/Summer 2004

"Here we have beautifully presented recipes that are delicious, fun, easy to prepare and healthy. -- John Robbins, Founder EarthSave International

"There is much here that will ...help you discover the sense of well-being...that results from a vegetarian diet." -- Dr Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder Jane Goodall Institute, UN Messenger of Peace-from the foreword --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

This life changing cookbook is from the Chefs of The Blossoming Lotus Restaurants - winner of 2006 'Ilima Award for `Best Kaua'i Restaurant'. It's a celebration of over 200 international gourmet vegan and live food cuisine recipes.

Winner of 9 International Awards including:
Best Vegetarian Cookbook in the USA - Gourmand Award;
Best Book by a Small Press - Martha Stewart Omnimedia Nautilus Award;
Best New Cookbook - PETA Proggy Award;
Cookbook of the Year - VegNews;
Best Veg Cookbook - USA.Booknews.com; Best Cookbook - Foreword Magazine - Finalist;
Best Health and Healing - Nautilus - Finalist;
Best Alternative Health - Coalition of Visionary Artists - Finalist;
Best Cookbook - National Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards - Finalist. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thousand Petals Publishing; 2nd edition (November 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975283715
• ISBN-13: 978-0975283714
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (103 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,250,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

112 of 119 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Vegan World is Possible - A mantra to live by October 13, 2005

By Sarah TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Blossoming Lotus is a vegan restaurant based in Kauai, Hawaii, with another restaurant in Portland. Their cookbook is both beautiful as well as delicious: full of photographs of sacred sites and original artwork, the layout is simple and uncluttered. There are also numerous inspirational quotations that accompany the gorgeous photographs.

The book is arranged into:
*appetizers, snacks, and spreads
*soups
*dressings and sauces
*salads and sides
*wraps and sandwiches
*breads, pizzas, and pasta
*tempeh, tofu, and seitan
*casseroles, grains and beans
*desserts
*breakfast, juice and smoothies

There is also an introduction to veganism, a vegan natural food preparation guide, a food glossary, and a resource guide. In addition, most recipes offer several variations and there is a "quick and easy" guide that suggests additional meals, snacks, and treats.

The recipes boast clever names, many making use of alliteration (Bahkti's Broccoli Bisque, Super Shakti's Spanikopita). Many are heavily influenced by Asian cuisine (Thai, Japanese, Indian, etc.). This may pose a problem if you don't have access to a natural food store; some of the more exotic ingredients include ulu (breadfruit), black rice, spelt tortillas, and umeboshi (Japanese plum paste). If you are lucky enough to live near a Whole Foods Market, you should have no problem in tracking down less common ingredients. Ingredients and instructions are clearly and simply presented. The majority of ingredients can be found at your local farmers market or in your garden.

Roughly half of the recipes are "live," or raw vegan. These are clearly marked by a lotus. Although I do not normally adhere to a raw vegan diet, I appreciated having choices for raw vegan appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

(One final thought: If you are allergic to soy, you may have to experiment with small substitutions, as nearly every recipe calls for soy in some form, be it shoyu, soy milk, tofu, or tempeh.)

62 of 64 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars No Stone Left Unturned September 12, 2005

By Susan M. Andresen

Format:Hardcover

This is one of the most thorough and user-friendly cookbooks I have used. Every possible angle has been thought out and addressed. The recipes generally utilize ingredients that I already have in stock. When a question arose regarding an ingredient, it was easily answered with the glossary.

Approximate cooking/preparation times are given for all dishes. Menu suggestions are very helpful. The variety of recipes is impressive. Most are for "normal" food, not far-out, bizarre dishes that people would be hesitant to try.

The book itself is beautiful. Lushly illustrated with photos both of the foods and of peoples and places from around the world, each recipe is enhanced with quotes from various sources, which are 'slipped in' in a very palatable manner. There are many resources included for a variety of services, agencies, and organizations, relevant to vegans and lifestyle conscious people in general.

A section on "preparation basics" covers cooking methods and equipment. A "soaking and sprouting" chart, as well as a chart covering the how and how much of cooking grains, are very helpful.

Raw food recipes are included, in addition to complete menus and meal suggestions. Contributors to the cookbook and The Blossoming Lotus restaurant are nicely acknowleged.

This cookbook combines the best features of my favorite cookbooks into one. It makes for enjoyable reading in addition to being a handy reference. I consider it to be a gift to the vegan cook, or any cook.

66 of 71 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful to Look at ---Delicious to Eat January 27, 2005

By rizabiz

Format:Hardcover

I loved the Blossoming Lotus in Kauai. In fact, we had our best vegetarian meal ever---rated a perfect 10. (The enchilada cassarole and the red curry plate). We bought the book while there and it is just a beautiful book to remember our trip, with pictures of Kauai and interesting information about food, etc.

The good news is that the recipes are not too difficult and the food tastes great. I in fact made the enchillada cassarole with some improvisation and it tasted fantastic. I did find it to be a little more ingredient intensive then some other veggie cookbooks but certainly nothing so difficult that the dish would be ruined. I've been learning about a few combinations too along with different ways to use tofu and tahini.

I wish I had a Blossoming Lotus in my town but instead I'll have to rely on my own renditions as often as I can!