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Book Review
by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Review by Tammie Ortlieb
Move over Veganomicon! You've been replaced by little sister. Vegan Brunch does for breakfast what Veganomicon did for, well, everything else. Packed with to-drool-for dishes like Omelet Rancheros, Smoked Almond Gravy, Pumpkin French Toast, Beer-Battered Tofu, Swiss Chard Frittata, and Red Flannel Hash, Moskowitz' latest vegan creation leaves no page unturned. She covers the sweet, the savory and every taste in between. With recipes for tofu omelets, pancakes, waffles, breads, and sides, Moskowitz literally has thought of it all. You will learn how to put together a Sweet Cashew Cream or Brown Sugar Peach Coulis as well as other sauces, spreads, and gravies to top off your mid-morning masterpieces. And to complete the brunch spread, drink recipes from Smoothies Supreme to Pink Grapefruit Mimosas to the signature piece, a twist on the traditional Bloody Mary, the Bloody Moskowitz.
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As usual, the book is written in typical Moskowitz humor. I love the informal chatty style with a splash of sass, perfect for educating an entertaining-, brunch-challenged sort like myself. Any fears or worries about my ability to pull off something as complicated sounding as BRUNCH are quickly laid to rest as Moskowitz spells out in detail how to plan the menu, create a coffee station, seat my guests, and serve and plate (plate?). For this Martha Stewart wannabe, Moskowitz even walks me step by step through the table setting procedure, from glasses to condiments to napkins to drinks. Never one to just toss me a recipe and leave me hanging, Moskowitz is queen of the hand-holding I so desperately need to whip up my muffins-and-musings morning. She even clues me in as to what items I should keep on hand in the pantry, just in case.
I will confess, though, I really am not an entertaining sort. But I do have four kids and a husband. Weekdays, breakfast is quick, simple, and with little variation. My husband has his steel cuts oats while I scarf down my big breakfast salad. The kids grab some cucumber slices or an apple or banana. Not the greatest fuel for school, I know, but better than fighting the empty tummy syndrome. I do, however, like to do the big breakfast thing on the weekends--the whole family working together elbow to elbow, conversing and chatting and being all nice and such. Creativity, however, hit the proverbial brick wall when I made the commitment to veganism. I'm a decent cook. I am. But how many different ways can you make vegan pancakes? Really. Never fear, Moskowitz to the rescue.
This past weekend my clan and I did a brunch proud. I set out some Herbed Whole Wheat Drop Biscuits with a strawberry based Whole Berry Sauce. We cooked up some Basic Scrambled Tempeh with a side of Curry Roasted Potatoes. My absolute favorite, though--and you must, absolutely must, make these---were hands down the Banana Flapjacks! Moskowitz suggests a smidge of variations, but try this one first-a cup of chopped pecans. And it's ok to go a little crazy on the amount. Next weekend I'm trying the Grilled Marinated Asparagus Omelet with Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins and some Roasted Root Vegetables. Ooooh! Thank you, Isa, for getting my creative culinary juices flowing again, both figuratively and literally with the Mango Lassi and Black-and-White Le Cremes.
Vegan Brunch is exactly what it claims to be, Worth Waking Up For. It also is my new turn-to vegan cookbook, not just for breakfast or brunch, but for any time my family sits together to enjoy a meal. And with the recipes Moskowitz has given me, that is exactly what we will do---enjoy the meal.
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Tammie Ortlieb is a freelance writer and adjunct instructor with a Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology. She resides in southwest Michigan with her omnivorous husband, four veg kids, and small menagerie of pets. Tammie writes for various vegetarian sources, mostly on being okay with your vegetarian self. She's a book nerd, a research nerd, a health nerd, and a huge glass of soymilk half full kind of creature. Visit her blog at www.middle-agedveganchick.blogspot.com.
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