OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Vibrant Veggie Delights" by Michael Feeney.]

Are you considering vegetarian options but find them unappealing? Are you concerned because you believe vegetarian food lacks protein? Do your vegetarian options seem limited to vegetable broth and stir-fry recipes? Whether you are a dedicated vegetarian or someone seeking meat substitutes who has run out of ideas for protein-rich, flavorful options, this book offers enough to make you rethink your approach! With two decades of experience, Chef Michael Feeney has authored a book that addresses the concerns raised. It provides delicious, protein-rich, and meat-substitute vegetarian recipes. The recipes in this book are designed to appeal to vegetarians, vegans, and all those non-vegetarians who have written it off because they assumed vegetarian food lacked flavor and nutrition.

Seitan, tofu, and tempeh are the main heroes of the show. Michael details the basic preparation process for each of them, with enough tips to ensure the best outcomes. He then provides several detailed recipes using these three as the main ingredients. I am not familiar with seitan and tempeh, but I have tried tofu and regularly consume soya/soy chunks (textured vegetable protein, TVP). I love soya/soy chunks. I admit I don’t enjoy tofu and have gladly avoided it. I prefer the texture and flavor of cottage cheese. The tofu recipes in the book encourage me to give it a try.

The true value of this book lies in the range of recipes it offers using these star ingredients. Armed with years of experience, these recipes are promising. The author shares quick recipes: ten with seitan, five with tempeh, and a few with tofu. The reader will find information on soy products and several meat substitutes. Some recipes require eggs. The author has offered an alternative to eggs. There is a dedicated section for several patty and burger options. The recipe involving jackfruit was a surprise.

I appreciate that the author includes various health, ethical, and environmental benefits of a meat-free or plant-based diet. He reiterates that a well-balanced vegetarian diet provides fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while being environment- and cohabitant-friendly. I completely agree with the author on that. The author has effectively employed his skills as a photojournalist. The stunning images further incite readers to gather the ingredients and start cooking. I plan to team up with my daughter to try out two of his recipes: Quinoa & Black Bean Patties and Chickpea & Spinach Impossible Burger. I think readers will appreciate video clips of the process on YouTube; I wonder if the author would consider that.

I observed a discrepancy with the title. On the cover, it reads Vibrant Veggies Delight. However, the title is referred to as Vibrant Veggie Delights in three other locations within the book. A few more minor errors were noted. Unfortunately, I am forced to deduct a star for this reason. I rate the book four out of five stars. I have no other negative comments regarding the content or the layout of the book.

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Vibrant Veggie Delights
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There is so much that remains unexplored and hence might discourage some from becoming vegetarians. I am glad that this book was written to inform them about the several options they have. Personally, I am not a vegetarian and so this might not be in the top position on my to-read shelf. Thanks for the review, @Seetha E.

This is a truly inspiring review of Chef Michael Feeney's Vibrant Veggies Delight! It's fantastic that it challenges common misconceptions about vegetarian food, offering protein-rich, flavorful recipes using seitan, tofu, and tempeh. The stunning images and the author's two decades of experience clearly shine. Your point about the title discrepancy is a valid observation. Thanks for this insightful 4-star review!

A very intriguing book! I am also not aware of seitan and tempeh. Like you, I am not a big fan of tofu. Will try the recipes if I get a chance. Thanks for introducing this book!

This review made me genuinely curious about trying vegetarian food again. I’ve always been skeptical about tofu too, but your experience and the author’s approach make it sound worth giving another shot. That jackfruit recipe caught my attention — sounds like a fun surprise!

I'm not really a vegetarian, but I'm always open to trying new recipes. I might just add my own version of protein to the vegetable meals if I think they are good. Thanks for the recommendation, Seetha.