But My Family Would Never Eat Vegan!

November 7, 2016
Coming off the success of her debut cookbook, But I Could Never Go Vegan!, Turner delivers a cookbook designed to handle all the typical excuses or doubts for not eating vegan food. For example, “I don’t know what we’d do without so many of the staple ingredients we use every day!” highlights vegan pantry staples such as basic cashew cheese sauce. Turner’s wit and charm shine through the stories and chapter titles: “If forced to choose between chicken wings and me, my spouse would choose the wings.” Many recipes are naturally vegan, such as mushroom kale skillet hash and a green quinoa salad. However, the Double-Double Cheeseburger, which requires vegan substitutions and seemingly a great deal of work, is a gamble with carnivores and may not be worth the effort. The book is organized by excuses and not set out as typical cookbooks are. Helpful icons at the beginning of each recipe label those that are gluten-free, nut-free, or in need of some advanced preparation. Recipes are outlined with prep time and active time commitments and photographs are plentiful. With a great sense of humor and a riposte for every possible excuse, Turner’s book may have even the most reluctant family considering going vegan. Photos.

October 1, 2016

The decision to adopt veganism as a lifestyle choice can be extremely personal (and often ethical), but one of the key elements to vegan life--food and eating--is experienced best when shared. Turner (But I Could Never Go Vegan!) takes on the social pitfalls of an eating regimen that omits some of the most cherished foods family and friends enjoy together. Readers who have followed the author's blog, Keepin' It Kind, will be familiar with the breezy personal style presenting the recipes. A quick introduction to vegan "staples" is followed by chapters with recipes suited to communal meals. From a favorite date nut bread to tempeh sloppy joes sliders, these dishes are created for occasions as important as Thanksgiving (no Tofurky, please) and as informal as sleepovers. Recipes have icons for dishes suitable for "plan ahead" and "to go" and suggest alternate ingredients for gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free options. Similar to Nava Atlas's Plant Power, this cookbook brings an unmatched depth of personal and culinary experience to the subject. VERDICT Neither comprehensive nor epicurean, these are sensible recipes for real-life eating experiences.--Jeanette McVeigh, Univ. of the Sciences, Philadelphia

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2016
Feeding a family used to be simpler when mom put together a meal and everyone ate what she prepared. For any number of reasons, it seems those times have passed. Preparing meals the whole family enjoys is difficult, especially if mom is vegan. Your picky eater wants nothing but macaroni and cheese with real cheese. Your meat eater will have nothing less than real beef. They both say they can't live without the real items. What exactly is a budding vegan to do? Well, pick up a copy of food blogger and cookbook author (But I Could Never Go Vegan, 2014) Turner's book and start cooking anew. Great recipes include faux meatballs for spaghetti and chocolate cake with vegan ice cream. Kristy explains how many dishes a family likes can be made vegan with just a little ingredient change. Her writing is cheery and informal, and there are full-page photographs throughout. This is a book to enjoy. Turner does a great job of keeping the reader's mouth watering.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)