The Conscious Cook: Delicious Meatless Recipes to Change the Way You Eat

Good Stuff!

I am not a vegan, but do eat a lot of vegan and vegetarian meals, often going days without eating meat or dairy. But, it can be tough--I like meat and cheese. So, I am always searching for GOOD vegan recipes that will satisfy the chef in me. (I used to work as a chef; still love to cook.)

The Conscious Cook by Chef Tal Ronnen, is inspiring. There are nice photographs and it has a good, easy to read layout.

Ronnen shares his favorite foods, vegan restaurants and other tips. The recipes are imaginative and look great.

It's the substitutions for meat and dairy that are particularly enticing. Take cashew cream, for example--it can replace heavy cream. (Darn it--my husband is allergic!)

another cool substitution is oyster mushrooms for seafood.

I made the Gardein "chicken" Piccata last night with Focaccia with caramelized onions and the braised kale. Ronnen's friend developed the Gardein faux chicken and it's really good. The texture is really close the the real thing, but it is made with veggies and soy. All three recipes were very good.

I intend to make many more of thr recipes...and who knows--maybe I'll end up a vegan!

Author of HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT

10 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

The Conscious Cook

This is a good read, but for the average family dinners I would not recommend this book, the recipes are to hard and included items that I have never heard of, I perfer a more simple healthy way of cooking and things I can find at your average grocery store.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful meals, easy to make

Although a brief cookbook, he has created some very innovative and delicious recipes. The beginning chapter is wonderful (even for someone who is already a vegan) in how he explains his journey, and how he provides answers to the meat eaters who ask the same questions over and over.
There are some ingredients that are difficult to find if you don't live in a metropolitan area, but if one is creative, one can substitute.
I think it's great book for those who are interested in the vegan way of eating, and who knows, maybe someone will be inspired to take a healthier path.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful book even for the non-vegetarian

I absolutely love this book. I loved it so much that I gave it as a gift for Christmas. The photos are inspiring, the story meaningful, and it is so nice as a vegetarian to have such a great cook take the time to try and educate people about eating healthy and cruelty free. I can't wait to hopefully get the chance to eat food prepared by Chef Ronnen.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Terrific but not easy.

I'm not a vegetarian but I bought this cookbook to add to an extensive collection of cookbooks that I keep. I also figured health-wise, it wouldn't be bad to try out some vegan recipes every once in a while. While this cookbook is a great read with beautiful photos and interesting stories, it is not for easy meals. I typically make everything from scratch, and maybe this book only seemed a little daunting because I'm not vegan and don't have a pantry full of the ingredients it calls for.
It was very interesting to read traditional french methods brought to a cuisine that has suffered a reputation of boring and bland food. For someone who isn't familiar with vegan cuisine, it's truly genius the things that people have come up with to substitute for meat and dairy. While this would be the cookbook I'd turn to for a dinner party or as a gift, it would not be the one I'd use to make a lifestyle change and to figure out how to make vegan food on a daily basis.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Amazing!

This is, by far, the most beautiful cookbook I've ever seen. The photography is stunning, the design is flawless. The recipes? They are incredible. Creative, delicious, and highly satisfying, the dishes in this book are any foodie's dream. No Thanksgiving table will be complete this year without an Oven-Roasted Banana Rum Cheesecake with Spiced Pecan Crust and Maple Rum Sauce!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

must-have book

This book is a must-have for anyone who entertains the occasional vegan or has a family member that is vegan. More importantly, it is likely the best resource out there for those who wish to 'wow' a meat-eater with vegan dishes. These dishes will blow you away, and Chef Tal pays well deserved respect to some of the leading vegan chefs in the world (so a reader has the benefit of their expertise as well). You will not be disappointed with this book - the information is compelling, the photos are exceptional and the dishes are to die for.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Not just another vegetarian cook book!

Beautiful pics, interesting stories and bio's, and incredibly delicious recipes make for a book that is tough to put down whether busy in the kitchen or relaxing in your favorite chair. I've only tried one recipe so far and although I'm no pro chef it was both easy to make and incredibly tasty (even by my brother's standards and he does not do tofu)! This book is a great start to healthy and convenient eating and features food that will be the talk of the table!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Involved but delicious

The recipes are very bistro-like and probably not good to throw together on a weeknight after work. HOWEVER, the ones I did make were absolutely delicious. I am now taking what I've learned and putting each component into simpler meals. For example, the way the mashed sweet potatoes were made makes me want to make them again and again. And they can go with anything. I've also learned the many uses of cashew cream. The guest recipes are also good.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book

I have been determined to live a healthier life and cook more at home. I found the recipes quite easy and tasty, I love the rich flavors, but found out that I had to select some and skip others to meet my goals. Great book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

well thought out

This book has many practical and interesting recipies. I like the book very much and enjoy reading how he came to write it. The only thing I found is that one of the recipies that I most was interested in which was the "chicken" Quark I think it is called but was not able to find it anywhere in any of the stores in order to make it. I tried another chicken substitute but ir really did nto compare. I am still hopeful in finding it so I can prepare the recipie but until then I will enjoy the other great recipies

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

AWESOME ADDITION TO ANY KITCHEN LIBRARY!

What an absolutely beautiful cookbook! The photos, the colors, page layout, the information pages...everything is perfect. I've had the privilege of tasting Chef Tal's recipes before this book, and am thrilled he has compiled such an extensive variety. The Gardein products are slowly trickling into Oregon, so look forward to making more recipes with this amazing meatless product. I'm the proud Mom of the dessert chef, so have tasted and tested all her recipes and can only say yummy!!!! You will love the panna cotta! Thanks, Chef Tal for all your work to bring such a refreshing and delicious new perspective to the art of eating!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book, worth the hype!

Aside from beautiful, delicious recipes, the author shares excellent information about the various ingredients he loves to use. These recipes are not quick to prepare, but worth the effort.

Yummy!

My husband and I have enjoyed all of the recipes we have made so far. All of them have been great, the faux chicken picatta one is delicious.

Cook Book

Some ingredients are hard to come by in my area. Otherwise I would have given the book a higher rating.

Love this book!

This book is full of easy to follow, yummy recipes with beautiful pictures. The information in the front of the book was very useful and educational. I would highly recomment this book!

Excellent Cookbook For Vegetarians and Non-Vegetarians Alike

I loved this cookbook. It is filled with creative, delicious recipies that anyone would like to eat. My daughter is also a vegetarian, and I will be buying another copy to give to her as a birthday present.

Not so great for everyday use

I knew I wanted this book from the moment I heard about it. I've been a vegan for about a couple years now and the idea of this book sounded wonderful. I was a little disappointed because some of the main ingredients such as the Gardein (which is the main piece in certain dishes) are hard to find. In fact none of the stores I went to carried the exact product. The book is written really well and the pictures are gorgeous! This would definitely be reserved for nicer dinners but not ideal for every day cooking.

Wanting to go vegan....

The book is beautiful, however I find that way, way too many ingredients are required

Great Information but time consuming

This is a beautiful book filled with detailed information and clear instructions. There were, however, many steps to prepare or enhance each dish that I found too time consuming and fussy for my lifestyle. I use the book sporadically when I have a good chunk of time, or when I need inspiration to eat in a more healthy manner.