Eat All Week with Whole Food - Plant-Based Recipes

I have mixed emotions about China Study Quick & Easy Cookbook. The photography is nice so you get an idea of what each dish is without having to read the recipe first, so deciding what you want to cook is easier. But two things frustrate me about the book:
...No nutrition information for the recipes, and
...Unclear cooking instructions.

I ordered the book because I read The China Study and other books based on that information, so I'm eating vegan for both humane reasons and for health reasons. I have always been interested in nutritional information of what I eat, but am especially interested in knowing roughly what my protein and fiber intake is, especially when relearning all of my eating habits. I know the China Study philosophy is that we need far less protein than other eating plans propose, but I still want to know roughly what my intake is as I shift to vegetarian/no dairy.

Also, I am an experienced cook but I'm always trying to guess what the author means. Example: "Add the potatoes to a pot with water and cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes" leaves me wondering if the 5-6 minutes means after the water has simmered or boiled, or is this the total time. Because 5-6 minutes can just barely get the water simmering thus the potatoes will hardly be cooked. Should they be simmering, boiling, or boiled then lowered to simmering? This recipe is for scalloped potatoes, so after the water bath, they are layered in a pan with other ingredients then baked, so I'm still confused if they are going to do most of the cooking in the pot or in the oven. Another confusing recipe, which is the sauce to layer onto the scalloped potatoes, says "combine the cauliflower and the vegetable stock in a saucepan and cook for 8 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender". Do I heat the broth first and after it's simmering then add the cauliflower? Do I simmer or boil? I think these are common instructions included in most recipes. The author knows whether the ingredient should be fairly mushy (it's all going to get blended later) or fairly firm to make the sauce thicker. I don't know, and I don't want to find out by trial and error so I'll know what to do next time. This sauce recipe doesn't say whether to use a high or medium heat, simmer, boil, or merely heat up.

So, in summary, I won't send the book back and I'll use it for meal ideas while I learn this style of eating, but it is definitely not one of my favorites.

I absolutely LOVE this cookbook! It contains some of the best plant-based recipes ever -- and the ingredients aren't goofy stuff that you have to run all over creation to find.

I just made the falafel tonight and topped it with a bit of Hikari Organic Mild Miso Paste. Yummy!

It's loaded with bean dishes and other plant-based goodies that are simple to prepare and won't break the bank. It's got dessert recipes too!

I have a couple other plant-based cookbooks but this is my go-to one because the recipes really ARE quick and easy! LOVE this cookbook! Did I say that I LOVE this cookbook? ;)

BOTTOM LINE: Buy it!

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this cookbook! I have been buying many cookbooks as I transition to a Whole Food Plant Based lifestyle - but I face challenges that many of us do - time, resources, kitchen space, running to the store for unusual ingredients, etc.

This book is different! The concept is simple: You have several "main" ingredients that will be the basis for your meals for 1 week, and you have wholesome, tasty sauces that will flavor the meals. Easy peasy!

I was disappointed in receiving this book. Open a can of this, use a couple of bags of frozen that .... use slaw mix (no recipe for slaw), following a recipe but have to refer back to another page to get the rest of the recipe and there was more than enough room on the page to place the added information! Very basic recipes, if you have never even dreamed of cooking, this book is for you. Need to know how to make pineapple juice popsicle for dessert by opening a can of juice and putting it in popsicle mold -- this is your chef. Most recipes are a few ingredients, take less than a half a page, faced by a full page stinky ink picture. Too many wheat pasta recipes and if you think you need instructions how to puree some frozen fruit mix with a banana and a little juice for breakfast, you have found your cookbook. If you have money to burn, buy it. If you want a more economical and pleasing route for an experience cook, go to pinterest, print what sounds good, place in page protector and put in a binder ... you will be money ahead and not so disappointed.

I would highly recommend this cookbook.First it is beautifully done. I love to pictures next to most of the recipes.The recipes are delicious,it is well worth the money.A great book if your trying to eat healthier and add some new recipes to your collection. LOVE IT.

Hi, a great read, so many recipes, great Chef Del! I have ordered his other books as well. Another reference for the kitchen shelf. Read the reviews, make your own decision! From me, you will not be sorry. I also ordered The China Study, another must have book. I am a bookworm and avid reader, new, old vintage books, appreciating the information and work that goes into writing a book like this! WOW, thank you Chef Del! Kat =^.^=

I was disappointed. Sounded like a great concept, but seems to fall short on execution. With a busy family I like the idea of cooking once and eating all week, but the book fell short on roll out. There are a few short menu plans and a long list of pantry items followed by a lot of recipes. Some mention of how items fit together. The pieces are there, but could be tied together better with more weekly plans. Didn't thrill me enough to even try the recipes and I passed it on.