Book Review: Nourishing Vegan Every Day by Amy Lanza

Title: Nourishing Vegan Every Day

Author: Amy Lanza
Genre: Cookbook - Vegan
Publisher: Fair Winds Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: January 3, 2023
Read: December 10, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Nourishment meets flavor in this collection of vibrant and delicious vegan recipes. 

Nourishing Vegan Every Day embraces the flow of everyday life by providing recipes that range from nutritious to decadent, recognizing the important balance between time and taste buds. Whether you’re in need of a quick and energizing breakfast or a show-stopping meal to impress your guests, this book will provide inspiration for delectable plant-based meals. 

With gorgeous photography for every recipe and helpful kitchen tips, discover family favorites like Cheesy Pesto Tomato Swirl Buns; weeknight meals like Cashew Cauliflower and Spinach Dahl; and delightful vegan desserts like Strawberries and Cream Cheesecake. 

Beyond bringing flavorful meals to the kitchen table, this book creates a basis for nourishment and satisfaction, giving you the tools to build your own plant-based pantry. From kitchen staples to easy vegan swaps, learn more about low-waste meal preparation and methods to enhance your cooking experience as you craft delicious meals, snacks, and desserts. 

Breakfast: Nourish on the go with quick morning recipes such as Nourish Me Smoothies or Overnight Oats! The choice is yours. 

Brunch: Lazy weekends and beautiful brunches are the perfect time to serve up towering plates of delicious Chocolate Chip Raspberry Waffles or Vegan Eggs Benedict. 

Lunches, Salads, and Light Meals: Liven up your lunch break with easy-to-prep recipes like Herby Chickpea Tabouleh Salad and Moroccan Style Quinoa Salad. 

Dinner: Vegan dinner has never been more versatile! Chock full of vegetables and nourishment, recipes like Sweet Potato Gnocchi and Sesame Chili and Garlic Tofu Noodles will be a hit at the dinner table. 

Snacks: Easy recipes such as No-Bake Chocolate-Covered Muesli Bars and 2-Ingredient Flatbreads will have you reaching for homemade plant-based snacks, whether you’re craving something salty or sweet. 

Desserts: Enjoy a variety of vegan treats sure to satisfy any sweet tooth, such as No-Churn Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Ice Cream or Apple and Blackberry Crumble Pie. 

Celebration and Gathering Dishes: These sweet and savory recipes will prove to be crowd-pleasers at your next gathering. Impress your family and friends with a Vegan Celebrations Snack Board or Pumpkin Layer Cake.

Review: I don't often review cookbooks, but I am happily making an exception for Nourishing Vegan Every Day by Amy Lanza. OMG...I want to cook up every single recipe in this book! Over the past year or so, I've been steadily transitioning to a fully vegan diet--no small feat when living in small town Mississippi and the term "vegan" is often misunderstood as meaning "those little green guys from Venus" or maybe someone hailing from Las Vegas. Either way, telling someone you're vegan in Mississippi means they'll more than likely look at you as though you've sprouted two heads. Thankfully, there are a plethora of cookbooks on the market catering to the vegan/plant-based lifestyle.

Amy Lanza's dishes in Nourishing Vegan Every Day are hunger-inducing. (My stomach began growling almost instantly!) Using simple, easily sourced ingredients each recipe seduces the reader/cook to try it. What can be more simple than whipping up a batch of overnight oats? Easily when provided multiple variations? And the Vegan Eggs Benedict...oh, honey. Eggs Benedict have been a favorite of mine since my dad introduced them to me when I was a teen. Now I can have a vegan version of them? Yes, please! From breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner to desserts and more, every page is filled with mouthwatering recipes and bright, colorful photos you'll want to lick because they look so amazing. (Gingerbread Layer Cake, I'm looking at you, and you, too, Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Ice Cream...)

Whether you're new to the vegan lifestyle, curious about the plant-based food hype, or just looking to incorporate more healthy meal alternatives into your diet, Nourishing Vegan Every Day makes veganism approachable, simple to understand, and delectable. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some cooking to do.