Leeka's Reviews
10 recipe(s) reviewed. Showing 1 to 10Sort by: Title 
| Date | Rating
Color Me Vegan: Maximize Your Nutrient Intake and Optimize Your Health by Eating Antioxidant-Rich, Fiber-Packed, Color-Intense Meals That Taste Great
By Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Fair Winds Press - 2010
Brazilian Black Bean Stew (Feijoada) : page 230
This stew was really beautiful and delicious. It's hearty, earthy, colourful, a little spicy and the yams add a touch of sweetness. I forgot the mango but it was fine without. I also had to add more liquid to the pot, at least a cup when I added the beans.
useful (1)
Carrot and Avocado Salad : page 228
This was the surprise hit of dinner. I was surprised at how good the creamy hunks of avocado contrasted so beautifully with the acidic dressing and raw carrots. And every time I tasted a bite with roasted sesame seeds it was an extra hit of flavour. This salad is definitely going on the regular rotation for being easy to prepare, having relatively few ingredients and great flavour.
useful (4)
Chocolate Cherry Cookies : page 219
Okay, I challenge anyone (who has a sweet tooth) to be able to look at the scrumptious photo of these cookies in the book and not run to your kitchen and make them immediately. When I saw them, I didn't happen to have any maraschino cherries on hand and had to wait until the weekly shopping was done.
My cookies, turned out alot darker than those pictured in the book and they had a distinctly cake-like texture. The flavour is very rich and chocolatey. The melted chocolate combined with cherry syrup drizzled on top added another hit of dark chocolate. I wonder if the texture was more cake like because I was forced to use half sugar and half liquid sweetener but they were still very good, and so cute with the half cherries nestled on top.
useful (3)
Chocolate Zucchini Bread : page 215
Anything that gets my child to eat zucchini gets a thumbs up from me! She especially enjoyed the chewy crust that formed on the outside of the loaf.
I baked the loaves for 55 minutes but maybe should have pulled them out to check a bit earlier. They were still moist and not too sweet. The perfect snack with a cup of afternoon tea or coffee.
I almost doubled the amount of cocoa because I didn’t think ¼ cup was sufficient chocolatey goodness for two loaves but in the end decided to follow the recipe as written (at least for the first time). After tasting the loaf, I think I will up the cocoa quotient next time round.
useful (4)
Coconut Rice : page 176
The fragrance of this rice while cooking is extraordinary. It had wonderful coconut flavour and even though I used the same basmati rice I normally do the grains did not stick together which was nice. Great to accompany an Asian inspired meal.
useful (2)
Curried Cauliflower Soup : page 82
I wavered between giving this soup 3 or 4 stars but my extremely picky daughter actually loved it. The curry flavour was quite strong and the apple very subtle. I thought the soup did taste better after sitting for a while in the pot. I think when I make it again, I will decrease the curry powder a touch.
The preparation was quick and simple and there are few ingredients so that's a definite plus.
useful (2)
Onion Gravy : page 207
Quite a bit of cooking time for such a simple recipe but it was yummy slathered on mashed potatoes. I don't know if I would classify this as a gravy because it didn't have a very thick consistency.
useful (2)
Potatoes and Eggplant (Aloo Baingan) : page 154
This was not as successful as I'd hoped. I think to acheive that delicious melding of spices with the tomato gravy that Indian sauces so often have, five minutes is nowhere near enough time to cook down fresh tomato with the spices. I added the chopped tomatoes a little early, near the end of the potato cooking process and it still had no effect. I also added a touch of sweetener because I found the fresh tomato too acidic. I'm hoping the leftovers taste better once the flavours have more time to combine.
useful (2)
Salt-and-Pepper Tofu : page 180
Crispy, tender strips of seasoned pan-fried tofu. I wasn't sure if I would like the suggested smoked paprika but it added an interesting flavour. I intended on making a dipping sauce but we managed to finish most of the plate as a snack before that happened.
I cut the tofu into approximately 1/4" wide and thick strips, like french fries. The recipe did not specify a size but this worked well.
useful (3)
Strawberry Lemonade : page 40
A refreshing burst of summer in a glass! I cut the sugar almost in half and it was the perfect, slightly sweet-tart accompaniment to some salty snacks.
useful (1)