A Good Vegan Cookbook

 A good vegan cookbook is just the thing for those longing for a dietary change in the New Year. Luckily there's a new cookbook that can make meatless, eggless and dairyless eating a snap. It's the perfect Christmas gift for those who want a healthier lifestyle.

The Complete Plant Based Cookbook :500 Inspired, Flexible Recipes for Eating Well Without Meat  ( America's Test Kitchen Publishers 2020) written by the experts at America's Test Kitchen. This is a must have for vegans, vegetarians and those seriously thinking about embracing the meatless lifestyle. This is chock full of advice. The first chapter is a plant based primer with tips on how to store fruits and veggies along with what to do about preserving any ingredient's unami, that special oomph of of flavor. There are pages dedicated to the veg-centric plate and the importance of aqua faba - that all important and versatile chickpea brine or water. The books also shows how to make a vegan meal more filling, usually with the addition of grains and good crusty bread.There are recipe suggestions about pasta dishes and grain dishes. There are also recipes for what's known as building block recipes such as vegetable broth , fish sauce substitute along with creating home versions of rice, soy , almond and oat milk. Vegan home chefs will also love the aquafaba mayo and cashew ricotta. There is also a basic almond milk yogurt, perfect on its' own or mixed with fruit. Some  basics can even be made ina slow cooker like the vegetable broth. Those with celiac allergies will appreciate the section on gluten free dishes. Do the chefs approve of the whole Impossible Meat or Beyond Beef movement? Yes. They even show you how to cook the perfect burger

The recipes are great , with the chapters being divided into eleven chapters.Every kind of dish is represented here, from brunch to pizza to main courses and even dairy  and egg free desserts.Breakfast lovers will enjoy the millet porridge with maple syrup or the hash browns omelet with kimchi, Soups and salads are well represented here too, Chickpea Salad sandwiches are the perfect lunch full of tang and textures thanks to the beans with the addition of scallions and celery.A fiery Caribbean style Swiss chard and butternut squash stew is the perfect winter lunch or dinner bowl. warmer days will warrant the Summer Vegetable Gratin a casserole of different squashes onions and tomatoes, baked with breadcrumbs and olive oil. There's international dishes of cauliflower biryani and vegetable fried rice. There are also fun dishes like Thin Crust Pizza with Mushrooms and Cashew Ricotta and plant based meat Beef Tacos.Bean lovers will enjoy the many bean recipes like red beans and rice with okra and tomatoes. Dessert lovers will enjoy the richly flavorful peach crumble with the crumble enriched with coconut oil (although you can also try I Can't Believe It's Not Butter) and the Chocolate  Espresso tart made with water based ganache instead of a cream one. There's a yummy recipe for Coconut Ice Cream too and semolina pudding with almonds and dates.

The Complete  Plant Based Cookbook 500 Inspired Flexible Recipes For Eating Well Without Meat is the perfect vegan and vegetarian cookbook. it has a plethora of recipes that are delicious and filling. It's a good addition to any home chef's library.

A Kurdish Twist On Tailgating

Tailgating is as American as apple pie and barbecue. Yet imagine if there was a spin to it. There is  - in Nashville where a thriving Kurdish community. The Kurds have not only brought their favorite national dishes to this all American past time but their passion as well.

Priya Krishna, a regular contributor to The New York Times and author of Indian-ish :Recipes and Antics From a Modern American Family, wrote about these Tennessee Titan fans. in yesterday's New York Times Food section. Nashville is home to 15,000 displaced Kurds, one of the largest Kurdish populations in the United States. Many have sad and bloody  memories of their war destroyed homeland, Kurdistan, a semiautonomous region of the Middle East. Their fierce devotion is a salve, perhaps, for all the bloodshed and destruction they've witnessed back in Syria.  They've fallen in love with the Titans, having an intense love of them. With that love comes the usual love of all things football - especially tailgating. There are hamburgers and hotdogs, cooked on grills alongside of biryanis. Fans much on the spicy versions of Cheetos, Funyuns and Pringles in such flavors as Extra Hot Chili and Lime. What's missing is the usual coolers of beer. The Kurds are Muslim which means no alcohol. The burgers and biryanis are washed down with orange soda and pouches of Kool-Aid.

American tailgaters can try some of the Kurdish recipes (there's a lot on the web). Kurdish style biryani starts off with pan fried chicken but you could easily skewer and grill it. It's served over a rice flavored with cardamon, ginger, nutmeg and ginger. Carrots, peas and potatoes are added. You could also add tomatoes too. The Kurds love stuffed grape leaves and these are always a treat to any gathering. You can buy them already made but they're also good homemade too. The leaves do have to be cooked with lemon juice and boiled water but it only takes three minutes. The filling can vary. You can add meat or not , along with raisins and various spices. Add slices of cabbage for a real Kurdish dish.  You can cook them in a pot filled with water or in an Insta-pot or crockpot for ease (and if you think you can't bring a crockpot to a tailgating party think again. Buy the Crockpot Two quart hookup at Kohl's that you can bring anywhere, from a tailgating party to a camping trip.) . The Kurds also make kutilk, eye shaped fritters , stuffed with chicken and crusted with rice. Serve it with a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad for a different spin.

The Tennessee Titans have the best cheering squad - the Nashville Kurdish community. They not only bring the love but all a wide array of delicious dishes. They are devoted to their team and bring a delicious spin to the traditional tailgating party.