Customer Reviews

Vegetarian Cooking with Compassionate Cooks

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Why can't learning always be this easy and fun? The two hosts blend a charming, easy-going style with a straightforward presentation of key elements of vegetarian cooking -- plus some fantastic (and simple!) recipes. And you don't need to worry about writing them down quickly as they appear on the screen -- the DVD provides the website where they appear in detail. A great gift idea for people concerned about their health or cruelty-free food.

Even though the majority of the content is geared towards meat-eaters, I'm addicted to the Food Network. I'm always converting recipes in my head to a vegan version, and I wish there were vegetarian cooking shows on mainstream TV.

Enter "Vegetarian Cooking with Compassionate Cooks." This lively DVD is a great introduction to vegetarian cooking. Chefs Colleen Patrick-Goudreau and Alka Chandna demonstrate simple, quick, delicious-looking recipes for entrees and desserts including a classic chocolate chip cookie and a Harvest Stuffed Acorn Squash which would make a great holiday meal.

The DVD contains a menu that allows you to watch the entire video, or select from individual recipes. Each segment has great tips about ingredients and techniques. The DVD also has a Frequently Asked Questions segment aimed at meat-eaters or new vegetarians which offers information and opinion about various issues surrounding a the choice of a plant-based diet. There's also a short documentary about Farm Sanctuary, one of the sponsors of the DVD included on the disk.

The only thing this DVD is missing is printed versions of the recipes. Either a way to pull files of the disc or a website offering the recipes to owners of the DVD would be a great companion to this fun show. --Amy O'Neill Houck

When I received this DVD I wondered, "Why would anyone watch a cooking video?" I intended to take just a quick look but was totally hooked. Despite my almost-50 years of cooking, I learned so much!

I'm an artist, and watching this video is like the difference between just reading about an art process (or any multi-step project like auto mechanics, sewing, etc.) vs. actually seeing a demo. You pick up so much more when you watch: the way the equipment and ingredients are handled; the way the ingredients, mixtures, and final product should actually look (so important!); and (I loved this) the tried-and-true nitty-gritty about specific products and brands. The hints about health (cholesterol, etc.) were helpful, too, and easy to remember because they went hand-in-hand with the ingredients that were being used at the time.

A bonus: the two cooks interact in such a friendly and spontaneous way that the viewer feels entertained, as well as informed -- it makes you smile to be in on the intimacy and good-natured banter. And another bonus, by the way, is the background music: it's wonderful and energetic, but not obtrusive. ('Wonder if there's a CD?)

This great DVD offers delicious recipes that are quick and easy to follow. Sure, since it is a DVD, it's not going to showcase dozens upon dozens of meals such as, say, a cookbook would. But if you're a fan of the Food Network and cooking shows in general, you'll be thrilled-- whether or not you're even vegetarian. And if you do happen to be one of the many people harboring the misconception that you can only eat healthy and humanely at the expense of taste, this DVD will open your eyes... and your palate.

The Compassionate Cooks' DVD is really good. I enjoyed watching it, as well as trying out the recipes. The recipes were easy to follow, and all of the dishes I tried turned out great. I bought two more DVDs to give as gifts. I hope there will be a sequel!

This is a wonderful DVD!! It's so nice to have something to watch that shows how things are prepared instead of just following a recipe. They give great tips and visuals that are so helpful when you go grocery shopping. I've made several recipes for my family and they love them!!

If you love food the way I do, but you don't have a lot of time on your hands in your average work week, this DVD offers some delicious recipes to try that don't take a lot of time or have hard-to-find ingredients. For example, the Eggless Egg Salad is a scrumptious recipe that I plan on using for quick sandwiches during the week. The stir-fry is fabulous, and I might just become addicted to that yummy peanut sauce!

The next time I'm preparing a main course for a special occasion I am going to reference the Harvest-Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe. It looked so beautiful on the DVD, and with the clear instructions the hosts provide, I have no doubt that I'll be able to reproduce it.

Now, let's get to the really good stuff. Hello, chocolate! I've already tried the Magic Chocolate Cake recipe, and it's a winner! It's so easy to make that it's a little dangerous to have on hand. I can't wait to try to cookies too.

All in all, this DVD taught me a lot about vegetarian cooking. The dishes prepared show easy ways to achieve better health without sacrificing flavor in any way. Highly recommended.

This is the perfect DVD...filled with cooking tips, recipes and educational information. I only wish someone had given this to me when I first became a vegetarian. It really offers a well rounded explanation of vegetarian cooking (and the fact that is very normal), some popular vegetarian product recommendations, and a great Q and A session. Definitely get this DVD for yourself or anyone you know who is new to or considering vegetarianism...you won't be sorry. It is also nice that the group that put this together is a non-profit so your dollars are supporting a good cause and helping animals :)

If you're a vegetarian (or vegan), enjoy cooking (or not), or just want to learn how to make delicious & flavorful dishes that are 100% nutritious, this is the DVD for you!

After receiving & viewing this DVD, I ended up buying two more; one for my dad who has high cholesterol & one for my best friend as a birthday gift.

Eating healthy doesn't have to be troublesome or unsatisfying. The hosts of this fun & educational DVD show you just how easy it is to create enticing & satisfying dishes for every season of the year - dishes you'll want to make over & over again!

Where can I get the soundtrack?

This DVD introduces the fun and flavors of vegetarian cuisine. Get away from the idea that this food is boring because it is so good for you. Not so! Colleen will guide you with humor and skill into what I hope will be a rewarding way of eating and living. This DVD contributes greatly to the health of individuals, and of the planet, too. From savory to sweets, the recipes are easy to follow, and the results are sooo good!