Create One-Bowl Vegan Meals
Kristina’ Bookshelf
Power Plates: 100 Nutritionally Balanced, One-Dish Vegan Meals
By Gena Hamshaw
(Ten Speed Press, 2018)
“My intent is for this book to help bring some simplicity and ease to healthful eating,” says blogger, nutritionist, and Food52 author Gena Hamshaw at the outset of her latest cookbook. And she delivers, with more than 100 complete, balanced, delicious vegan meals-in-a-bowl for every meal of the day. Using nuts, tofu, tempeh, and other vegan protein, every recipe also contains healthy fats and complex carbohydrates, which together make a complete meal. Many of the recipes are gluten free. Hamshaw serves up grain combinations to mix up in the morning, including savory options like kitchari, a rice and lentil dish gently spiced with ginger, turmeric, and cloves. There’s also a creamy breakfast polenta with stewed fruit and hemp seeds, among other appealing dishes. For lunch and dinner, try combinations like a charred broccoli salad with freekeh (a roasted wheat product) and spring herbs, and a roasted kabocha salad with barley and lemon miso vinaigrette. Warm offerings include a curried tomato stew with chickpea dumplings; millet pilaf bowls with barbecue tofu and braised collard greens; and peppers stuffed with farro, herbs, and tempeh sausage. Hamshaw throws in some nice sides like sweet potatoes stuffed with lentils, onion, tomato, ginger, cinnamon, sweet paprika, and harissa and topped with chopped herbs. Home cooks looking for satisfying, nutritious vegan recipes to assemble quickly on a weeknight will want to start at the beginning and cook straight through.
Edible East Bay’s book editor Kristina Sepetys is eager to share her ideas and book recommendations with our readers.
