plantyou
I have been anxiously awaiting my copy of plantyou by Carleigh Bodrug, which sold out in pre-orders before it even hit the shelves. It finally arrived a few days ago. Yay! There is a ton to like about this cookbook, especially for folks who are new to this way of eating.
What I love:
Her stated goal for writing the book is to help you eat more plants. She’s a gal after my own heart.
She doesn't use oil. This is the first fully oil-free, plant-based cookbook I've ever come across. She substitutes whole plant fats for oil in all her recipes, including those fabulous breakfast cookies above. This makes me super happy.
Her focus is on counting plant varieties and not calories. Yay, plant diversity.
She mentions the power of plant-fiber and understands the importance of feeding our gut microbiome.
I like the infographic layout of each recipe. A picture of each ingredient is shown above a photo of the completed recipe. I appreciate how clear and easy it is to just scan the top of the page for what is needed when making the recipe. Her unfussy white backgrounds also really make the food shine, and a binding that allows the book to open flat for easy recipe following is a nice touch.
Her recipes are super easy to make. There is nothing fancy here, just straightforward, tasty, plant-based cooking. Each recipe includes a limited number of easily-sourced ingredients.
The book is worth it alone for her chapter on oil-free sauces.
Recipes will seem familiar and comforting, with foods like Irish Stew, Shepherd's Pie, Garden Bolognese, and Lasagna.
If you are a foodie who likes experimenting with complex flavors and isn't afraid to take on a complicated recipe, this may not be the book for you.
If you are new to this way of eating, like your food to resemble familiar favorites, and don't want a lot of fuss, this is a great introduction to plant-based cooking. Her recipes are approachable, uncomplicated, easy to follow, and comprised entirely of whole plant foods.
If you are easing into this way of eating, or trying to convert reluctant family members, plantyou is a terrific place to start. You can also follow her on instagram @plantyou www.instagram.com/plantyou/. I encourage you to check her out.
Happy cooking! 🌱💕