Anyway, to tie you all over, I thought I'd post picture of my cookbook collection. I've sort of turned into a cookbook whore since becoming vegan and I use any chance to get books sent over here. I used some birthday money awhile back to make a large increase in my collection. It no longer fits on the shelf, which is mostly ok, because I usually have at least one of them out all the time. I don't think hardly a day goes by without me at least flipping through them. I love just looking at them and reading and dreaming.
This is my tiny shelf. A few of them aren't vegan. The Japanese ones (except the one on the far right) are all omni. Recently, cookbooks geared for people with allergies have become popular (like the one Sarah gave me for my birthday), the ones I have are just regular omni ones. One is a macrobiotic book, two are diet cookbooks (which tend to have more veggie options), and one is a book of vegetable side dishes (most of which include meat). I think most of you can read the English ones.
These are the books on top. Most of these are part of the new editions to my collection (thus why they are on top). Glad I finally got Yellow Rose, especially after all the talk. Veganomicon is just too tall for my shelf.
All of these zines were part of my new birthday money (I totally spent over what I got).Show your collections! Let's see how about I add a few survey type questions to this...
1. What are your top three? (You know I couldn't choose just 1.)
My top three would have to be Eat, Drink, and Be Vegan, Vegan with a Vengeance, and Vive Le Vegan.
2. Which one gets the most use?
Probably Vegan with a Vengeance or Eat, Drink, and Be Vegan. I think I pick up E, D, and BV everyday, but I don't necessarily make things from it. I just fantasize about it. I always seem to be out of a key ingredient. Vegan with a Vengeance was the first vegan cookbook I bought and I've made a lot and tend to go back to some old favorites. I keep meaning to flip through it again to discover a recipe I've probably forgotten about.
3. Which one do you wish you used more?
I wish I used the zines more, but some of them are hard to use in Japan. Also, they don't have indices and I like to look up an ingredient I want to use or need to use up and then work from there when I'm cooking. Also, Asian Vegan Kitchen. Everything I've made from there has been amazing! Seriously, the tonkatsu is one of my favorite foods. But the book calls for lots of spices and things that are either a little difficult for me to get here or just intimidate me.
4. Is there one you regret buying?
Heart of the Home (middle picture). I bought it on a whim since I was buying other books, but it has honey in it and just a weird layout that annoys me, so I haven't opened it since I first got it. I should try and make myself.
5. What are the most important elements of a good cookbook (besides the recipes)?
I really like a good and well labeled index. I also like the table of contents to include the names of all the recipes. Good photos are also nice. I appreciate cookbooks that have lots of helpful tips and notes too.
6. What cookbook do you have your eyes on next?
Just the Burgers coming soon from Joni Newman. I have her Cozy Inside book and really like that.
Feel free to take on the challenge. Let us know if you do!
--Pamela
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3 comments:
impressive, especially all the zines!
I love the book Goodnight Bush. It is amazing
My favorite three (the ones I actually use most often):
The Vegetarian No-Cholesterol Family-Style Cookbook--it has an easy, but killer, brownie recipe;
The Compassionate Cook--an oldie but goodie, especially for the quick bread recipes;
Cooking with Peta
My other cookbooks are as much for inspiration as for particular recipes--such as the 30-Minute Vegetarian Thai Cookbook, Solo Verdura (whose commentary is as charming as the recipes), and The Vegetarian Bistro (which has charming illustrations to accompany the Ms. Spieler's riveting tales).
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