But My Family Would Never Eat Vegan!: 125 Recipes to Win Everyone Over (But I Could Never Go Vegan!)

I have Kristy’s first book as well and really like it, but so far think this one is better (fewer “weird” ingredients, better flavors, in my opinion at least, and probably quicker recipes).I’m not someone who needs pictures, but hers (/her husband’s) are really nice. I think my favorite thing about her book is the creativity and the lack of processed foods. I like how she uses veggies in all sorts of interesting ways and doesn’t call for vegan cheese, meat substitutes, etc. She also doesn’t use seitan, which makes me happy, because seitan makes me want to barf. For those with a nut issue, you should be warned that she does use them a good deal. She does not use very much oil, but occasionally calls for Earth Balance.I think some people will complain about the chapters not having the traditional starter-main-sides-dessert layout, but I kind of like it for a change. You never know what you’re going to find where, so it’s like Christmas when you come across a different recipe.This is what I’ve made so far (in order of appearance in the book) and my commentary on each recipe:Basic Cashew Cheese Sauce (Regular and Pepper Jack)Both good, quick. Cheese-like, though wouldn’t fool anyone, at least not when it’s served on its own.Pickled Red Cabbage and OnionsYummy condiment, very easy.Avocado Ranch DressingNot my fav. Nothing like ranch, not that great overall.Maple-Peanut Butter PancakesYummy and hearty. Reduced the maple somewhat and used the all-purpose flour option.Everyone’s Favorite OatmealNeeds a lot more liquid, but good, nothing special if you already know how to make oatmeal. I still prefer steel cut to rolled I guess.BBQ Chickpea SaladVery hearty, very pretty colors… bit on the sweet side. Would probably ½ the BBQ sauce next time, since that’s really sweet and the pickled cabbage is really sweet.Jackfruit Crabless Cakes with Lemon Dill AioliProbably my fav so far - cakes and sauce both delish.Hidden Veggie Mac ‘n’ CheeseWouldn’t fool anyone for being “real”, but is a healthy and good dish on its own (if you don’t mind nooch).Lazy Vegan Chile Relleno CasserolePretty good; definitely recommend the optional salsa on top and serving with tortillas, which you will have leftover anyway since this recipe only uses 1.Herbed Macadamia RicottaDelish, though quite tangy so more reminiscent of feta than ricotta to me.Filet O Chickpea Sandwich with Tartar Sauce SlawMade these two separately, which was probably a mistake, because the patties on their own are just ok, but the tartar sauce and slaw are delish, quick and easy. I think all together on a nice bun it’d be really good.Sweet Potato Shepherd’s PieMaking tonight, will update.Lasagna SoupHearty and really good. Don’t skimp on the ricotta though.Chickpea and Avocado TaquitosQuick and delish. Made 11 (instead of 8), wohoo! Used yogurt option (versus mayo or nothing). One of my favs so far.Chickpea Croquettes with Dill Yogurt SauceAnother fav. Both the patties and sauce (made with unsweetened soy yogurt) were great. Made for (meat-eating) dinner guests and everyone really liked. Unsweetened vegan yogurt was a bit of a pain to find, but in the end I found it at the local organic shop.Spiced NutsReally addicting. (Meat-eating) family loved. Can make ahead freeze.PS- I have over 120 cookbooks and cook only vegetarian (mostly vegan) food.

I received Kristy’s first book a few years back as a gift and simply loved it – not only was in packed full of creative, attainable recipes, but it was also interesting enough to sit down and read which is not the case with many cookbooks. As a cheese lover (I am vegetarian not Vegan) I loved her perspective as a former fromagier who turned vegan and found a way to fulfill those dairy cravings!So with the new book coming out I knew I had to purchase it as I am in need of fun, delicious, plant based recipes that I can serve to my kids, and friends who are sometimes reluctant to eat solely plant based meals -and even better, this book is not organized in the traditional fashion of breakfast, lunch and dinner – but rather by excuse, with meal options to overcome every single one of them!The book begins with the authors’ story of how this book came to be: Her journey to becoming vegan and how family gatherings presented with difficulty as she would have to bring her own food, endure countless comments, strange looks and having to explain over and over they why behind her decision – which on that note, I love her simple answer “the first thing you need to realize is that this is YOUR life. If you want to be vegan…you can do it”. It’s a really funny and entertaining read. But this began the foundation to the book so you can share some vegan dishes with your friends and family that taste good and are met with approval!The book begins with a chapter on some staples that are useful to make, as they will feature is several of the dishes in this book – vegan bacon crumbles, avocado ranch dressing (amazing) and lemon tahini sauce as examples. Then we go into the excuses you may come across and the dishes to make in response, such as:• My family demands bacon and eggs for breakfast• I don’t have time to cook elaborate family dinners• My kids think vegan food is weird• My teenagers just want to fit in with their friends• If forced to choose between chicken wings and me, my spouse would choose the wings• My partner doesn’t think veganism is part of a well balance diet (funny thing is I had this response from my parents many years ago when I began being a vegetarian and my mum, a nurse, insisted I ate liver once a week for the iron - a weird British thing and liver is enough to turn any child vegetarian -yuck!!• The in-laws will just add this to their list of my faultsThese are funny, tongue in cheek, yet also quite real, and there are 20 different “excuses” that are addressed with a range 125 of delicious recipes.I love the fact that this book does not require a trip to the expensive hip grocer to procure wild and wonderful aka expensive, ingredients, nor are the recipes overly complicated. As a busy working mom and a self professed terror in the kitchen, I do not have the time, skill or patience to spend many hours cooking which is fine, as this book does not have such expectations!I made the jackfruit carnitas burrito bowl last night and not only was it delicious , the family enjoyed it , no questions asked, and jackfruit is easily found canned right here on Amazon; the cauliflower alfredo baked ziti is also divine and comforting , there are salads, soups and desserts for those that have a sweet tooth. Even wings with blue cheese dip made with cauliflower which I have made many times in the past (from other similar recipes) and they really are a hit, just try them!It’s a great book, fun read and loaded with so many creative recipes, you will have something to overcome any excuse about trying vegan food!

I preordered this book the moment I saw it because I really liked Kristy Turner's first book, "But I Could Never Eat Vegan." I use BICNEV all of the time, and many of the recipes from that first book are in my regular rotation. The same goes for "But My Family Would Never Eat Vegan." I've only had the book a few days, but so far I've made the Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes and the Cheesy Quinoa and Veggies. Both are really delicious, and I've used the component recipes for the potatoes, Quick Bacon Crumbles and the Gouda variation of the Basic Cashew Cheese Sauce, in several other dishes with great success (Bacon Crumbles on top of salad and the Gouda Cashew Cheese on toast and a dab on the Quinoa and Veggies). The recipes are very easy to follow, even for the novice cook, and none take any particularly odd or pricey ingredients that would be unfamiliar to most cooks in the U.S.I've made notes to cook quite a few recipes in the book right away, but Spicy Soba Noodle Bowl, Chickenless Salad, Lasagna Soup and Chickpea Avocado Taquitos look especially good. One last key point is that like the author's first book, this one is also low to no oil in most recipes and is suitable (sometimes with very slight modifications) for anyone who adheres to a "Forks Over Knives," "Eat to Live," McDougal or "China Study" style of eating plan.

... and many family favorites are in there. Wonderful for everyone trying to eat more plants!

Fantastic recipes that everyone loves. If you want crowd pleasing vegan recipes, this is the book for you!

My daughter has become a vegan after thirty years of vegetarianism. She had recently made my some really tasty meals and so had to pull out all the stops on her recent visit to us. She was very impressed with my dedication and we enjoyed our meals together; and, as I refused to cook two meals - vegan and non-vegan I may have converted hubbie too. What's not to like!

Great book full of easy vegan recipes to make. Like it because contains lots of photos.Got another book from Kristy and i found them useful.

Great follow up to her first book. Lots of photos and clear instructions. I've made several recipes and they've all turned out great.