I’ve had a stack of things to review both for Chic Vegan and my personal blog Dianne’s Vegan Kitchen for a while. While I’ve been trying to catch up with it all, Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen by Kathy Patalsky keeps getting shuffled to the bottom of the pile. This isn’t happening because I dislike the book. Quite the opposite actually – the book is so good that I’m afraid that I won’t be able do it justice.
You probably already know Kathy from her blog Healthy Happy Life or the wildly popular website Finding Vegan. How she managed to write this cookbook with over 220 delicious and creative recipes while managing both websites is beyond me – I can barely manage to get dinner ready while managing both of my websites!
This is an epic cookbook, with a recipe for just about any type of food you could be having a hankering for: breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, salads, smoothies, bowls, soups, desserts – you name it, it’s in here. There are tips, tricks, and recipe variations throughout the book too. There’s even a chapter full of kid-friendly recipes such as Fruity Rainbow Wraps and Magic Chia Seed Pudding. Recipes for pantry basics such as nut milk and applesauce are also included.
Like any good vegan cookbook, Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen starts info on stocking a vegan pantry and a list of kitchen tools that are good to have on hand. Kathy shares the story of how she went vegan, and she offers advice for new vegans. She also shares her top 10 wellness tips. The book ends with 12 Happy Life Menus for events such as Vegan Pizza Night, Comfort Food Dinner, and Breakfast in Bed.
I absolutely love that Kathy has dedicated the book to her late cat Nelly. I loved seeing photos of Nelly on social media, and I was saddened when she passed away.
Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen is a must-have for just about anyone – new vegans, people looking to reduce their animal food intake, and long-time vegans. I really can’t think of anyone who shouldn’t have this cookbook in their collection! The recipes found within its pages will please vegans, omnis, and everyone in between.
Strawberry Avocado Mâche Salad
You simply must try the combination of strawberries and avocado. They pair so well together, buttery with sassy sweet. Tender mâche greens are the perfect cozy bed for this salad. Try this salad with the optional healthy hemp seeds and refreshing mint on top.
Ingredients
- 2 cups mâche lettuce
- 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1⁄2 avocado, diced
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries,
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint, plus more for garnish
- Pinch of freshly grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons raw hemp or sunflower seeds (optional)
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Toss the mâche in 1 tablespoon lemon juice and olive oil. Divide between two serving plates. Gently toss the avocado with the strawberries, mint, and lemon zest. Arrange over the mâche.
Sprinkle the hemp seeds over the top, if desired, and garnish with mint and additional lemon juice to taste. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Recipe from HEALTHY HAPPY VEGAN KITCHEN, © 2015 by Kathy Patalsky. Photos © Kathy Patalsky.
