Book Review

Viva Vegan!: 200 Authentic and Fabulous Recipes for Latin Food Lovers

By Terry Hope Romero
Reviewed by Tammie Ortlieb

Co-author of Veganomicon, Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar, and Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World graces kitchen bookshelves once again with her collection of meat-free, egg- and dairy-free Latin cuisine. A Venezuelan-American chef, Terry Hope Romero covers everything from salads and salsas to tortillas and empanadas. To finish up the meal, she lures us in with Coconut Tres Leches Cake, Sopaipillas with Orange Flower-Agave "Honey," and Chocolate para Churros. The recipes are easy to follow and make use of everyday ingredients.

Not to leave the reader hanging, Romero provides a pantry staples and equipment guideline along with basic how-to tips. Learn how to choose a chile, which avocado is best, and how to care for the all-important cast iron pans. And, yes, you will learn, finally, how to slice a mango! Busy and beginner cooks will appreciate Romero's menu suggestions, shopping list, and cooking terms and techniques.

Article continues below

While Romero provides plenty of standard vegan fare with Costa Rican Refried Rice and Beans, Yellow Rice with Garlic, Red Beans with Dominican-style Sazon, and Basic Beans from Scratch, she also tempts the reader with signature corn dishes and steamy Latin stews. Try Homemade Soft Corn Tortillas, Colombian Grilled Arepas with Corn and Vegan Cheese, and Savory Fresh Corn Pancakes. Or pull out the soup pot and put on some Potato-Kale Soup with Sizzling Chorizo, Cuban Black Bean Soup or a Sweet Potato-Chipotle Bisque. Finish it all off with some Churros or Vanilla-Coconut Flan.

As with other Romero books, Viva Vegan is chock full of turn-to recipes for the home cook. Not only is it an excellent resource, but should be a staple in every vegan kitchen.

Get your copy of Viva Vegan!: 200 Authentic and Fabulous Recipes for Latin Food Lovers now!

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.

Sponsors: