Super Natural Simple: Whole-Food, Vegetarian Recipes for Real Life [A Cookbook] by Heidi Swanson
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Web ID: 12622155Beautiful Vegetarian Book
Super natural and simple is full of inspirational vegetarian recipes that even my picky 1 and 3 year old have eaten and enjoyed. We love the grilled rice triangles, multigrain waffles and cauliflower soup with wonton chips and the pink party dip (white beans and beets). This book has a little bit of everything from fun breakfast ideas, snacks, dinner/lunch ideas and desserts. I received a free copy of this book from Ten Speed Press in exchange for my unbiased review. Looking forward to continuing to cook through this book!
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Vibrant vegetarian recipes for everyone!
I have been a huge fan of Heidi’s work since I discovered her blog in the late 2000’s and she was one of the first food bloggers I followed religiously. I even had the pleasure of meeting her at a book signing for Aran Goyoaga here in LA and she was just the sweetest. Heidi’s recipes have always inspired me to eat more vegetables and this book is no exception. She always manages to make vegetables so enticing by employing flavor bombs and techniques from her travels in California and around the world. She relies heavily on bright, fresh ingredients that end up satisfying in a way that most vegetarian cookbooks just do not. So, when Ten Speed Press sent me this book to review, I was ecstatic! I have already cooked quite a few recipes and all were home runs. I must say that these recipes really are simple but no less tasty than any other of Heidi’s recipes I have tried throughout the years. Out of the Make Ahead Mornings Chapter, I made the Dirty Chai Baked Oatmeal. My homemade Masala Chai blend really shined in this dish and I was able to treat myself to a delicious warm breakfast during a whole week. I also made the Garlic Boosted Guacamole that I enjoyed over toast. The recipe easy to put together but the flavor bomb (classic Heidi move) from the warm garlic takes this guacamole over the top. The Salad Chapter looks amazing and I already tried two of them. The Mushroom, Lime & Herb Salad is so bright and full of umami and I know it will earn a permanent rotation in my kitchen. Also, the Lemony Carrot Salad is so refreshing for those warm summer days ahead. The Jalapeno-Cheddar Socca was a cinch to put together and the addition of the buttermilk made the pancakes very tender. The spiciness of the jalapeno added a nice hit of flavor. I think I will try a serrano next time. I cannot wait to continue cooking my way through this book. I have already bookmarked a bunch of recipes from the salads and noodle chapters. As a busy mom, this book is a lifesaver for those weeknight dinner times when I want to feed my family using wholesome ingredients. Thanks Heidi for another stunner of a cookbook! I have received a free copy from Ten Speed Press in exchange for a free unbiased review.
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California Masala Cluster Granola & Sunrise Flora
I was recently sent a copy of Super Natural Simple: Whole-Food, Vegetarian Recipe for Real Life by Heidi Swanson and decided to try two of the recipes for breakfast one morning. I often keep a jar of homemade granola on the counter to eat with yogurt (or simply by the handful in passing) so it was a given that the California Masala Cluster Granola (pg 36) needed to be the first recipe I tested. In full transparency, I did something that all recipe creators dread most: I changed an ingredient and swapped it for something “somewhat similar.” I could not locate a chana masala spice blend by the time I had this recipe scheduled, so opted for a garam masala spice blend. I want to note this change, because although each spice holds ‘some’ similar ingredients (cumin, cardamon, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper) they should not be thought of as interchangeable. Even so, I thought the alternate spice blend would be a lovely complement to the other flavors in this recipe, so I went for it. Thankfully, the warm masala spice blend paired beautifully with the rose water, maple syrup, and a sprinkle of Maldon salt flakes. I particularly also enjoyed the inclusion of brown rice cereal in the mix because it added some fun texture. I do think it would be worth seeking out a chana masala blend for the future though because I think it’s important to make recipes as written, when possible. The second recipe I made was the Sunrise Flora (pg 227), a lassi-like yogurt and citrus drink that rounded out my breakfast. The recipe was lightly sweet and a little salty, perfect for utilizing whatever fresh citrus you have on hand and poured over ice for a refreshing sip. I particularly loved that, like the granola recipe, this recipe also utilized a floral extract -- this one being orange blossom -- because I so rarely use them and they add such great aromatics. I look forward to making more from this book, including: Peanut Stew with Spinach and Miso (pg 100), Feisty Tofu with Broccoli, Chili, and Nuts (pg 149), Golden Oven Fries with Turmeric and Black Pepper Dip (pg 168). I received a free copy from @tenspeedpress in exchange for a free and unbiased review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Wholesome, Delicious Vegetarian Meals
The title of this book is perfect--Super Natural Simple. It's a book full of whole-food, healthy vegetarian recipes that's simple to prepare. I find many nights are busy or tiring and would feel the pull of a takeout meal but then looking through this cookbook, I find that I can easily prepare something simple and healthy without much fuss. They key is having a fully, stocked pantry and picking out no more than 10 recipes that look good to make. Some of my favorites are deviled egg toast, instant sriracha oats, five- minute bean salad, lentil super salad, sriracha-tomato soup, ten ingredient masala chili, spicy curry-banzo bowl, golden oven fries with dipping sauces, grilled corn salad with salty-sweet lime dressing, and cheesy lemon pepper polenta. Many of these recipes are followed by mouth- watering photos. For those looking to eat more vegetarian meals, this is an excellent book to have at home. I've received a free copy from Ten Speed Press in exchange for a free and unbiased review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Simple Recipes for Healthier Living
Heidi Swanson wants to make it easy for people to eat a healthier whole-food, vegetarian diet. In her latest cookbook, Super Natural Simple, she presents 120 recipes, many with only a handful of ingredients, that are easy for home cooks to prepare. Her emphasis here is on dishes that stress flavor, color (eating the rainbow of fruits and veggies) and nutrition. Many of these recipes suggest simple swaps, such as switching from white rice to brown, or adding "a handful of cooked quinoa, millet, or barley into your white rice." Others include items perhaps not found in the typical pantry, such as sriracha, harissa, nutritional yeast and rye flour. Swanson suggests shopping for these ingredients at the upscale Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, markets that might be beyond the budget of some. A resident of California, she also favors farmers' markets, which, wonderful as they are, might be only seasonal in some locales. Swanson also offers lists in Super Natural Simple of sources for both ingredients and kitchenware. "Experimentation is key," she says, suggesting those wishing to follow a vegetarian diet try a number of recipes, to find ones that are a hit with their particular palate. Some recipes, such as Deviled Egg Toast and Lemon Garlic Pita Chips, are simplicity itself and contain foodstuffs likely to be in the average home kitchen. Peanut Stew, slightly more complex, requires red curry paste and miso. The section of Super Natural Simple that users might turn to most often is the Power Pantry, the source of basic recipes that "are indispensably part of my everyday cooking." Here you will find Five-Minute Tomato Sauce and Crispy Curly Kale Chips. The section also includes a number of broths, dressings, and nut and seed butters. I've received a free copy of Super Natural Simple from Ten Speed Press in exchange for a free and unbiased review.
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Vegetarian Meals That are Interestingly Simple
If you're anything like me -- a vegetarian that loves to cook, but cooks for myself -- most of my vegetarian cookbooks fall into one of two somewhat unappealing categories: the same recipes over and over, or far too complicated recipes that feed way more people than just myself. Heidi Swanson managed to divert both of these challenges with "Super Natural Simple", a compilation of recipes that are unique for vegetarians and omnivores alike. Breakfasts, savory entrees, side dishes and even drinks are elevated for all eaters and keep vegetarian meals interesting and exciting, without being overwhelming for the everyday cook. The recipe variation inserts even give multiple ideas on top of the already-exciting recipes printed in the book, adding extra variety for the everyday vegetarian. If your regular week consists of the same old favorites, give this book a try for a little spice, figuratively and sometimes literally. I've received a free copy from Ten Speed Press in exchange for a free and unbiased review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Actually easy and approachable vegetarian recipes
This cookbook suprised me. I like the idea of vegetarian food but often find it boring and lacking in flavor. There are only so many times you can eat sauteed veggies and rice with a boring sauce right? This book is far beyond that! For some of the more basic recipes, the author gives some variations to explore which I think is really helpful. It's great to have a basic waffle recipe but what if you wanna change it up? She has plenty of options for that! Including a savory waffle that I'd definitely try if I had a waffle maker. I made a few recipes from this cookbook already. One of my favorites was the double crisp potatoes with salted mustard yogurt. I only had to buy a few ingredients to make this recipe which was a win for me. I absolutely loved this! Another recipe I made because I had mushrooms to use up was the paprika spiced mushroom stew. I made homemade croutons to go with this too and it was super flavorful. I never would have thought to make this on my own. One thing I did not love about this book is the binding. It didn't stay open easily. You really had to push it open, I ended up using something else to hold it down. I do think that once I cook with it more, it'll naturally open a lot easier. But as a brand new cookbook the binding is very stiff. I'd recommend this cookbook for people who want to explore vegetarian cooking because it'll really open your eyes to new flavors and recipes. If you're already a vegetarian, you'll definitely love this cookbook for unique recipes. I think it's a great cookbook for new and experienced homecooks. A great way to explore eating less meat without feeling like it's just salad all the time. I've received a free copy from Ten Speed Press in exchange for a free and unbiased review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Unexpected, elegant but easy recipes.
Super Natural Simple is a vegetarian cookbook that appealed to me right off in the Introduction simply because I am not a vegetarian but I am trying to eat more healthfully. Swanson states in the Intro “If you are looking for approachable ways to work more vegetables and whole foods onto your plate, this book is for you.” That would be me. It talks about “shifting” and “integrating” to natural eating. The book delivers on that promise with guidance on how to “Transition to Natural Ingredients”, “Identify Ten Recipes you Love”, “Your Well Stocked Pantry “and “Collect Your Equipment” The chapters cover meals you expect such as breakfast, stews, noodles and then some new approaches such as “Single Skillet” , “Sheet Pan Meals” and “One-Bowl Bakes”. As helpful as these sections were, I was thinking that I had all of the vegetarian, vegan cookbooks that I need. But then I started reading the recipes ! Right off there is a breakfast oatmeal recipe that used unsweetened instant oatmeal. Very familiar. But, wait ! - with sriracha, soy, peanuts and green onions. For breakfast. Well, why not. I made it. It was easy and it tasted great and I felt ready for the day. Swanson often uses very easy, familiar ingredients. Oatmeal, vegetable chips from the snack section of the supermarket, O’s cereal from the cereal aisle. A great feature is that a recipe will often have a flyleaf in the cookbook that offers variations on the recipe. Learn one recipe - get many different meals. I liked this feature because it is how I cook. I did not expect the dishes to be so beautiful and elegant. I am trying the rustic focaccia with orange slices and pine nuts for Easter because it looks so very beautiful. It is a featured variation of the Rustic Focaccia recipe. Super Natural Simple offers great advice, very easy recipes, completely new food combinations and elegant, beautiful dishes. I’ve received a free copy from Ten Speed Press in exchange for a free and unbiased review. I am glad I did because it makes vegetarian cooking seem easier and doable without being boring or bland. It is the vegetarian cookbook I didn’t know I needed.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com