My afternoon consisted of making + eating an amazing "Fennel Salad + Candied Grapefruit Skewers + Vegan Grilled Cheese Croutons" - paired with giggling my way through Chef Amanda Cohen's first cookbook, "Dirt Candy. A Cookbook." I didn't get a stitch of 'real' work done and loved every second of it. You have to do this too! Giveaway + book review ahead..
My first attempt at Amanda's candied grapefruit.. (need to perfect these because they are SO tasty!)
Grilled. Cheese. Croutons. (Made using Daiya Pepper Jack.)
Shoot. I totally just spent my entire afternoon not-working. Instead, I was reading the Dirt Candy cookbook and playing in the kitchen. This is significant because most of my kitchen time is spent crafting and tweaking my own recipes to share with you guys. So the fact that I was in 'using a cookbook' mode meant that I was totally inspired.
I love this cookbook! It is such a refreshing take on recipes + storytelling + technique + FUN. There are two things that make this cookbook quite unique:
* The pages are in black and white. Yup - NO PHOTOGRAPHS at all. No color. And I still loved it. Crazy.
* Comics galore. (That is where the giggling part comes in.)
(Recipes? The grapefruit skewer recipe page is shown below. Plus part of the fennel salad. Complete salad recipe is in the book.)
My Review. The Dirt Candy Cookbook is part recipe-infused resource - part totally-entertaining-read comic book. The main character: Chef Amanda. Plus some side kick characters too including her trusty staff, and her monkey + panda kitchen-alter-egos.
Recipes intertwined with stories. Stories like: "Martha Stewart's party-of-four is in the dining room" to her "dream sequence with Julia Child" - Amanda manages to squeeze in plenty of her sarcasm and dry humor (which you may already know of if you read the Dirt Candy restaurant blog.)
Recipes including Portobello Mousse, Popcorn Pudding, Hush Puppies, Stone-Ground Grits, Nanaimo Bars, Candied Grapefruit Pops, Carrot Risotto and many more. These are the same recipes Amanda serves in her NYC restaurant (which I have been to more than once and absolutely adore.) DC Restaurant Review 1 and 2.
This book is such a joy to read I simply couldn't put it down. And you don't have to read it front to back. Actually, you don't even have to cook a single thing to enjoy this book! The stories are reason enough to take a peek.
The comics are drawn by Ryan Dunlavey - he does an excellent job of turning kitchen fodder into cute + funny + smart + sarcastic comics. I didn't even miss photos. The illustrations provide enough visual stimulation.
Side note. Amanda was one of my Veggie Girl Power ladies a few years back Read her interview here.
And to complete my review I HAD to try a recipe..
Fennel Salad + Grapefruit Skewers. I've had this recipe in Amanda's restaurant and adore it. So I was excited to try it at home! I haven't perfected the grapefruit skewers quite yet. But my first pink batch came out pretty well - and my second batch was OK, but a little watery. I served them as a light bite and over top the Fennel Salad.
For the light bite, I plated the grapefruit on green apple slices with some Penzey's Spices 4/s sweet chili salt sprinkled on top.
Grapefruit + Apple:
The Fennel Salad was just so good. Avocado + almonds + fennel+ mixed greens + Amanda's fennel dressing + grapefruit skewers. Oh and the genius garnish: grilled cheese croutons. I used Daiya cheese.
Vegetarian. Amanda is a vegetarian chef - so the book is in vegetarian format - but most every recipe can be made vegan - and Amanda sprinkles easy "vegan variations" throughout the book.
Paws Pause. And just because she was so cute today .. a shameless Nelly shot..
The book is published by Crown, Clarkson Potter Publishers and is available in print and an ebook. The print version retails for $19.99. US / $23.99 CAN.
More info on DC: www.dirtcandynyc.com
OK, so buy the book from amazon or enter my giveaway above!
FYI: In case you are curious, this is NOT a paid review. I just love the book and wanted to chat about it. And Amanda was kind enough to provide a free copy to me as well as to one giveaway winner. Please note: All inside-the-book photos are being used with permission.
erinfromlongisland says
Hands down, my fav is Wild Fermentation
Maureen says
Favorite cookbook: Vegan with a Vengeance
Shannon says
My favorite cookbook right now is Chloe's Kitchen!
Vegyogini says
My favorite cookbook of the moment is Let Them Eat Vegan by Dreena Burton. This is such a tough question, though!
Jackie S. says
My favorite cookbook right now is Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day by Tami Noyes and Celine Steen.
stac says
Vegan Express is my favorite cookbook
Gwen says
Around age 8 or so I was given Madhur Jaffrey's World-of-the-East Vegetarian Cooking. I became hungry for the world, for travel, for the challenge of learning to appreciate an other's world view, from this cookbooks. It gave me an open mind, heart and palate, taught me to improvise in the kitchen and therefore trust myself, and to speak volumes to those I love through pinches of spice. Almost two decades later, this book is still teaching me.
Julianne says
Loving the simplicity of Happy Herbivore and her weekly meal plans.
Rachel says
Choosing a favorite cookbook is so hard! I would have to say The Vegan Table, because Colleen has taught me so much about being a vegan and it all started when I discovered her recipes and got inspired. Love her so much!!!
Maria says
my fav cookbook has to be appetite for reduction ... lots of very calorie-wise dishes that are easy to make my own!
Marissa says
Right now, my favorite cookbook is the Candle 79 cookbook!
Allie says
Chloe's kitchen
Sonia says
I love Chloe's Kitchen!!
L says
I enjoy The Kind Diet
JessLoring says
My favorite and most used these days is Wild Fermentation! Vegan-wise, I'm really enjoying Vegan Family Meals, even with no family. 🙂
Robin says
I love all of my cookbooks. 1000 Vegan Recipes and Practically Raw are current favorites.
Bobbie {the vegan crew} says
What a fun cookbook! Just one favorite cookbook? So hard to narrow it down, but Viva Vegan is always fabulous!
Kerry says
Right now, my favorite cookbook is Let Them Eat Vegan!
Kristy says
Recently, my favorite cookbook has been Vegan Brunch. 🙂
Gina Marie says
Momofuku Milk bar is my favorite cookbook atm..but this one looks like its a lot of fun
antoinette says
my favorite cook book is Vegan Yum Yum
Crystal S says
<3 Happy Herbivore!
Maddy says
My favorite cookbook has to be Sporkfed, a cookbook by 2 amazing vegan sisters who teach cooking classes in LA!
Kristin says
One of my favourite cookbooks is Fresh from my favourite vegan restaurant. 🙂
Katie S says
That's such a hard question! I think this time of year Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day is my favorite cookbook. But that changes.
Katy Penrod says
Supernatural Everyday!
Valeriya says
Veganomicon all the way! But who knows, maybe this will be a new favorite 🙂
EMC says
Tough to pick a single cookbook... I'm really enjoying 30 Minute Vegan's Taste of Europe right now, as well as several veggie/vegan slow cooker cookbooks... And I always go back to the cookbook my mom assembled of our family favorites before I moved out to go to college years ago... 🙂
jillconyers says
My favorite cookbook is Chloe's Kitchen.
Audrey says
Any of Dreena Burton's or Isa Chandra's Appetite for Reduction
Gillian Clowes says
My favorite cookbook is Veganomicon, but this looks awesome!
Debi Mackenzie says
vegan with a vengance!
Wendy says
Vegan With a Vengeance
Jennifer Schmahl says
may favorite recipe book is ......ahhh, I just search Google every time.
Katie says
VP - I accidentally clicked the tabs on your comment, I didn't mean to. Sorry!
Katie says
My favorite cookbook is veganomicon!!!
KristenParks says
Still Veganomicon!
Corinne says
Currently, my favorite cookbook is Kim Barnouin's Skinny Bitch Ultimate Everyday Cookbook!
Corisa says
My favorite cookbook is Sprouted Kitchen !
kllmaca says
Whatever my newest cookbook is, that's my favorite! But Vegan Yum Yum and How to Cook Everything Vegetarian (which has a lot of good vegan recipes) are both great stand-bys.
mrcer says
My favorite cookbook is Crock Pot Recipes.
Laurie B says
One of my favorites is Bryanna Clark Grogan's World Vegan Feast.
Linda M says
my favorite cook book is: Lidia's Italian American Kitchen
Jasmine B says
Vegan Cooking for Carnivores is my fav cookbook <3
Nicole says
My favorite cookbook is How It All Vegan
Janel M. says
My favorite cookbook (so far) is Veganomicon.
Treble Tart says
As of right now, I think Veganomicon is my favorite! 🙂
Brittney N says
My favorite cookbook (right now) is Forks Over Knives - The Cookbook.
Melissa Dion says
My fave cookbook is Vegan Planet!
Laura K says
Well before going Vegan I had a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook that I used to teach myself how to cook. It had anything you wanted to cook in it. But now I don't really have a favorite. I use the web a lot and your site is probably my favorite!
Katie says
This is a difficult question. Today it would be peas and thank you, but tomorrow i might have a different favorite.
Ellen N Batten says
My favorite cookbook is The Vegan Table, lots of yummy stuff.
disqus_n6P3gaQ2GK says
I love my Moosewood Cookbooks. Lots of tasty recipes that can be easily veganized (if they aren't already).
Kathy Patalsky says
so glad you enjoy finding vegan!!! 🙂
Michelle Easton says
So hard to choose just one! But I love Supermarket Vegan - there are so many beautiful seasonal recipes. I love it because I can easily find any ingredients the recipes require at my local farmers market. Amanda's book looks wonderful as well - I would absolutely LOVE to add it to my collection!
Jessica Sapoznick says
I don't know my favorite cookbook right now. I'm a recently-converted vegan and just now getting rid of lots of cookbooks I won't ever need again. I'm in desperate need of a new favorite!
AerynW says
My favorite cookbook is Eat Drink and Be Vegan by Dreena Burton!
Robyn says
My favorite cookbook is Veganomicon.
Gabby says
The chef Chloe cookbook
Hailey says
I don't have any vegan cookbooks and would absolutely love a copy of this one! 🙁 I always veganize recipes from the Eating Well Cookbook, though.
cookingirl says
It's hard to pick just one, but I would probably have to say Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian.
delightfulcrab says
My favorite cookbook right NOW is The Sprouted Kitchen's new book. It is incredible! I want to go through it recipe by recipe.
Chalayn says
My favorite cookbook is The Vegan Table. This book looks great though!
Mandy A. says
I love so many cookbooks, I'm really loving an allergy baking book I bought a few months ago because my youngest has dairy and egg allergies. But I also love recipes handed down from my grandmother who passed away a year and a half ago. I just love food!!
Amber says
The Sexy Vegan!
Howly Ranch says
My favorite cookbook is Veganomicon, mostly for the variety.
Greg Allbee says
I still have a lot of recipes I want to try, but the Veganomicon is a great resource, even if just for the "How to cook a (vegetable, grain, bean)" references towards the front. Really handy guidelines for cooking times, water-to-grain/-bean ratios, etc.
Courtney says
My favorite cookbook, hmm, loving the Barefoot Contessa. Online would be 101 cookbooks.
Eva says
My favorite cookbook is Love Soup by Anna Thomas. I could eat soup every day!
Amy Kolasa says
I think my all time fave has to be Vegan With a Vengeance. I've used more recipes out of that book than any other.
VP says
My favorite cookbook is Eat, Drink & Be Vegan: Everyday Vegan Recipes Worth Celebrating [Paperback].
Kathryn Scheibmeir says
My favorite cookbook right now is Barefoot Contessa at home (I just adjust the recipes to fit our health criteria).
Nezumi says
That's a hard question... I guess my current favorite is Let Them Eat Vegan!
Tonya says
I love Giada's Everyday Italian. It has a lot of great options for entertaining guests-- not a lot of vegan choices though.
Abigail says
The BEST cookbook that I use (at least once a week) is The Global Vegetarian: Adventures in a Meatless Kitchen by Jay Solomon. Highly recommend
jom says
The cookbook I use at least once a month lately is Vegan Diner. So many good ideas!
Guest says
The cookbook I find myself going back to most frequently
Ivy Bagnall says
We've been finding a lot of goodies in Lauren Ulm's Vegan Yum Yum lately.
Sarah Paterson-Farrand says
One of my go to's is How to Cook Everything Vegetarian
Jody Hunsaker Haller says
This cookbook looks great! My favorite cookbook right now is Vegetable Heaven by Mollie Katzen. It is an oldie but a goodie!
Jutta says
My all-time favorite cookbook is the hand written one of my great grandpa!
gail says
joy of cooking
Summer Pennell says
one of my new faves is Supermarket Vegan by Donna Klein
Penny says
I love the Moosewood Cookbook. Not vegan, but I love the handwritten look and hand drawn pictures!
heidi taylor says
candle 79 cookbook!
Molly says
The Happy Herbivore is my favorite!
K8 says
I think that Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian is one of the best cookbooks ever! I don't think I've ever made anything from it that I didn't love!
Mike says
My favorite cookbook is Best Salads ever.
Antionette Middleton says
My favorite cookbook is The Happy Herbivore.
Monica Kumar says
Alicia Silverstone Be Kind Diet! and now I'm def curious about Dirt Candy Cookbook!!!
Lori says
I have loved Vegan with a Vengeance for years now.
Alexia @ namasteyoga says
grilled cheese croutons? holy sh*** my mouth is drooling and i just had breakfast! 🙁
Natalie says
My favorite cookbook is online! I love Finding Vegan becasue it is a collection of recipes from all different food bloggers which gives you a wide variety of perspectives and creative ideas for cooking and baking all things vegan!
disintegratorx says
My favourite cookbook is probably Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World.. because you can never go wrong with cupcakes - ever!
allison says
my fav cookbook is babycakes right now
Yifan says
Woah this might be my new go-to! As an illustrator and aspiring vegan chef, this seems perfect. Right now the book I always go back to is Thrive by Brendan Brazier. Lots of good recipes for athletes and anyone looking to eat cleaner!
Rhonda says
Currently my favorite cookbook is Chloe's Kitchen.
cm1753 says
I love the Vegan Yum Yum cookbook. I love great pictures and it has some good ones
Jessica Caneal says
My favorite cookbook is Appetite for Reduction!
gretchen says
Veganomicon. It's my go-to when I can't find anything on the web that I want to make.
Theresa Robertson says
My go to cookbook is Robin Robertson's Vegan on The Cheap!
nik d says
My favorite cookbook is Veganomicon. Cheers!
Beth says
I love the comic idea.... I enjoy reading cookbooks in general, so that really takes it up a notch! Veganomicon has been my favorite cookbook for awhile now- I use it all the time!
Donna GracieShelter Harper says
My favorite cookbook is going to be Dirt Candy Cookbook! Right now I pull most of my recipes off of this site through Pinterest!
Malinda says
I think my favorite cookbook right now is Appetite For Reduction, but my answer might be different by next week. 🙂
Melinda Parkhurst says
My favorite cookbook is Jamie Oliver At Home - going from garden to kitchen.