Leeka's Reviews
232 recipes reviewed. Showing 1 to 50Sort by: Book Title | Date | Rating | Recipe Title 
The Vegan Table: 200 Unforgettable Recipes for Entertaining Every Guest at Every Occasion
By Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Fair Winds Press - 2009
Very flavourful dish. I allowed the potatoes and cauliflower to cook longer than the recipe recommended so the flavours would have more time to meld. The cauliflower flowerets broke down and were very soft but we didn't mind. I added a little more than the teaspoon of brown sugar called for as well as more salt.
useful (0)
Vegan Fusion World Cuisine: Healing Recipes and Timeless Wisdom from our Hearts to Yours
By Mark Reinfeld, Bo Rinaldi, Tae Hamamura, Jane Goodall
Beaufort Books - 2007
I've made this salad several times this summer and absolutely love it! I serve this on toast, in a tortilla or lettuce wrap, or scooped on top of tomatoes and salad greens. I generally whip up a batch to have in the fridge and can eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The dill makes me happy and it only takes a minute to whip up the home-made veganaise dressing (in the blender) that accompanies the recipe.
I've adapted this recipe to suit my taste by adding chopped sweet or dill pickles, and one day when I didn't have any celery, I tried grated carrots instead which were delicious.
useful (1)
The Moosewood Restaurant Cooking for Health: More Than 200 New Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes for Delicious and Nutrient-Rich Dishes
By Moosewood Collective
Simon & Schuster - 2009
Fast, easy prep and nice soft flavour from the sesame oil based sauce.
useful (0)
The Joy of Vegan Baking: The Compassionate Cooks' Traditional Treats and Sinful Sweets
By Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Fair Winds Press - 2007
The batter was very thick, almost the consistency of cookie dough so I wasn't sure how this was going to turn out but it was very good. Moist, fairly dense but not heavy and not too sweet. It reminded me of coffee cake or an apple cinnamon muffin in cake form. I made it without the brown sugar syrup.
useful (0)
Vegan Yum Yum: Decadent (But Doable) Animal-Free Recipes for Entertaining and Everyday
By Lauren Ulm
HCI - 2009
These were good but next time I will cook the sprouts in a combination of apple juice and apple cider vinegar instead of all vinegar which was quite overpowering.
useful (0)
Vegan on the Cheap: Great Recipes and Simple Strategies that Save You Time and Money
By Robin Robertson
Wiley - 2010
I love apple pie but hate making pastry so I love discovering desserts with an apple pie type filling. This was a simple and homey dessert almost like eating upside down apple cake. I did not have applesauce on hand to use in the batter so had to use a cup of extra soy milk instead. It turned out just fine but I am curious to see how different it will be next time with the applesauce.
useful (2)
Website: Plenty Sweet Enough
plentysweetenough.blogspot.com
I'm always complaining about the amount and/or texture of toppings in the crisp recipes I come across so I decided to see if I could do better. I'm quite satisfied with the results. The topping was crisp and not too sweet and just the right amount.
useful (1)
Moosewood Cookbook
By Mollie Katzen
Ten Speed Press - 1992
I was attracted to this recipe because it doesn't contain any sugar - sweetened solely with apricots and some maple syrup. I enjoyed a warm slice after dinner with a cup of tea and it was moist, not too sweet with nice chunks of almonds.
The suggested baking time was 1 and a half hours but a little after one hour the top was looking very crusty and brown so I took it out. Total baking time was about 70 minutes for me so if you make this keep an eye on it.
useful (2)
Appetite for Reduction: 125 Fast and Filling Low-Fat Vegan Recipes
By Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Matthew Ruscigno
Da Capo Lifelong Books - 2010
This is a very simple soup with few ingredients - red lentils, onion, carrots, rice and a few spices. The lemon zest and fresh lemon juice added at the end provided a wonderful brightness to this otherwise earthy soup seasoned mainly with cumin.
useful (1)
Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook: Crazy Delicious Recipes that Are Good to the Earth and Great for Your Bod
By Kim Barnouin
Running Press - 2010
Wow, I was not expecting to like this at all and I was very pleasantly surprised. I made this on the recommendation of someone in my cooking group and after reading the ingredients was somewhat skeptical but gave it a shot. I'm really glad I did.
This is a baked pasta dish with cheese nowhere in sight. The sauce is deliciously creamy and is made with coconut milk, blended cooked cauliflower, a bit of miso, garlic, nutmeg, mustard, salt and pepper. Added to the pasta and sauce is a bit more browned cauliflower and tofu. The flavours are mild but not boring. This is definitely comfort food, perfect for supper on a cool autumn or winter's night.
Note: I did not have potato starch for the sauce but substituted corn starch and it was fine. You could probably get away without this ingredient all together.
useful (3)
Website: Vegan Cooking
This quiche was very rich. My husband and I both enjoyed the flavour and texture. While eating it I thought mushrooms would be a great addition along with the asparagus and perhaps a few herbs. My local grocery store doesn't carry Daiya vegan cheese so I used a rice based product which has good flavour but doesn't melt as well. As usual, I want to tinker with this recipe to cater to my own personal taste but if you make it as written, I think you'll find it very satisfying.
Also, I used fresh steamed asparagus in place of canned asparagus (yuck!).
useful (1)
The Peaceful Palate: Fine Vegetarian Cuisine
By Jennifer Raymond
Book Publishing Company (TN) - 1996
I was attracted to this recipe by the combination of black beans, sweet peppers, cilantro and corn but I think the dressing let it down somewhat. I found the vinegar overpowering. I would make this again but with a radically altered dressing.
useful (0)
Appetite for Reduction: 125 Fast and Filling Low-Fat Vegan Recipes
By Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Matthew Ruscigno
Da Capo Lifelong Books - 2010
Of course these would taste really yummy fried but that defeats the purpose! I did find them quite mushy and a bit sticky to work with but they baked up firmly. The flavour was nice, and for dinner we paired them with some chopped fresh tomato, stir fried greens and onions and a home-made vegannaise on tortillas.
useful (0)
Vegan Yum Yum: Decadent (But Doable) Animal-Free Recipes for Entertaining and Everyday
By Lauren Ulm
HCI - 2009
I wasn't so keen on this dish because it didn't taste anything like mac and cheese to me but my husband really liked it. The sauce was too thick and strong tasting. I'd have to play around with the ingredients, perhaps leave out the miso to make it more appetizing.
useful (2)
The Happy Herbivore Cookbook: Over 175 Delicious Fat-Free and Low-Fat Vegan Recipes
By Lindsay S. Nixon
BenBella Books - 2011
Okay, not bad, not great. It satisfied my craving for baked macaroni and cheese but the sauce was lacking something.
useful (0)
How It All Vegan! 10th Anniversary Edition: Irresistible Recipes for an Animal-Free Diet
By Tanya Barnard, Sarah Kramer
Arsenal Pulp Press - 2009
Really yummy and moist (but not too moist) banana bread with dates and optional chocolate chips. Definitely a keeper.
useful (0)
The Joy of Vegan Baking: The Compassionate Cooks' Traditional Treats and Sinful Sweets
By Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Fair Winds Press - 2007
Delicious, fluffy, moist, banana and chocolate goodness! The whole family gobbled these muffins up in record time. This recipe would work just as well in cake form.
useful (0)
Vegan Brunch: Homestyle Recipes Worth Waking Up For--From Asparagus Omelets to Pumpkin Pancakes
By Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Da Capo Lifelong Books - 2009
Delicious and fluffy pancakes with great banana flavour and a hint of cinnamon.
useful (0)
Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook
By Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Terry Hope Romero
Da Capo Press - 2007
Moist and lovely to eat warm from the oven, this dessert is easy to make and not too sweet. The only sweetener added is 1/2 cup of maple syrup.
useful (0)
Vegan Fusion World Cuisine: Healing Recipes and Timeless Wisdom from our Hearts to Yours
By Mark Reinfeld, Bo Rinaldi, Tae Hamamura, Jane Goodall
Beaufort Books - 2007
Moist, delicious and mildly sweet. Sweetened with just the mashed banana, apple sauce and 1/2 cup of maple syrup. I omitted the dates and nuts at my daughter's request but next time will include them because I'm sure it would have been even more yummy. Even plain this banana bread was a big hit with the whole family.
useful (0)
Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook
By Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Terry Hope Romero
Da Capo Press - 2007
Excellent and kid-approved! I think I added a touch too much lemon juice because I just eyeballed the amount but otherwise the flavours were nicely balanced. I like that this recipe calls for a mix of my favourite herb cilantro along with basil and I was also able to use up some of the sliced almonds in my pantry. A definite make-again!
useful (1)
Vegan on the Cheap: Great Recipes and Simple Strategies that Save You Time and Money
By Robin Robertson
Wiley - 2010
These burgers were perfect for a fast supper. I loved the short ingredient list with nothing exotic required and black beans are my favourite. Very tasty!
useful (0)
Vegan Planet: 400 Irresistible Recipes with Fantastic Flavors from Home and Around the World
By Robin Robertson
Harvard Common Press - 2003
This is a delicious and slightly sweet chili that even my daughter enjoyed. I substituted peach juice for the called for apple juice because we didn't have any and it added an interesting flavour. I think next time I will use the apple juice and a slightly smaller squash or just more beans.
useful (1)
The Happy Herbivore Cookbook: Over 175 Delicious Fat-Free and Low-Fat Vegan Recipes
By Lindsay S. Nixon
BenBella Books - 2011
I was very curious if the black bean flavour would be noticeable and I must say I don't think I could have guessed the main ingredient. These brownies are very moist, there is no flour in the recipe and I found the banana and cinnamon to be the dominant flavours. Next time I make these, I'll increase the amount of cocoa and cut back on the cinnamon. On the upside, they were extremely simple to make, everything went in the food processor except for one ingredient at the end.
useful (3)
Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook
By Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Terry Hope Romero
Da Capo Press - 2007
Good texture but lacking salt.
useful (1)
Website: Plenty Sweet Enough
plentysweetenough.blogspot.com
Well, I got sick and tired of not being satisfied with other people's recipes for black bean burgers and created my own. And I have to say they're pretty darned good!
useful (0)
Breaking the Food Seduction: The Hidden Reasons Behind Food Cravings---And 7 Steps to End Them Naturally
By Neal D. Barnard M.D.
St. Martin's Griffin - 2004
I didn't like these at all. The flavour wasn't bad with a hint of maple and walnut but these brownies were ruined by the texture which was extremely tough and chewy.
useful (0)
The Joy of Vegan Baking: The Compassionate Cooks' Traditional Treats and Sinful Sweets
By Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Fair Winds Press - 2007
Good. Very moist and not too sweet but I did detect a hint of baking soda flavour. I'm not sure if this was my fault but the recipe did say to just combine wet and dry ingredients and to not overmix.
useful (0)
One World Vegetarian Cookbook
By Troth Wells
Interlink Pub Group - 2010
These beans are excellent! The only change I made to the recipe was blending the cooked onions and garlic with the sauce and putting it back in the pan with the beans. No chunky bits always increases the chance that it will get eaten by certain members of the family. My guess paid off and my daughter loved them! I also did not add cayenne but just a little chili powder.
useful (2)
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
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)
How It All Vegan! 10th Anniversary Edition: Irresistible Recipes for an Animal-Free Diet
By Tanya Barnard, Sarah Kramer
Arsenal Pulp Press - 2009
These were tasty. I mashed them up with a fork and ate them with tortilla chips.
useful (0)
Vegan Yum Yum: Decadent (But Doable) Animal-Free Recipes for Entertaining and Everyday
By Lauren Ulm
HCI - 2009
I was missing a few ingredients to make the tofu crispy and simply pan fried it but since I had everything for the sauce I am confident the next I make this it will be even better. The sauce was more sweet than sour but I have a tendency to like sweet sauces so it worked for me.
useful (1)
The Peaceful Palate: Fine Vegetarian Cuisine
By Jennifer Raymond
Book Publishing Company (TN) - 1996
I was looking for a way to jazz up my steamed broccoli and came across this simple recipe. I found it a little too vinegary but my husband liked it.
useful (1)
The Vegetable Dishes I Can't Live Without
By Mollie Katzen
Hyperion - 2007
Tender-crisp broccoli, barely wilted red onion and tart apples, coated with a delicious mustard based dressing. I loved, loved, loved the simplicity and perfection of this salad! I substituted maple syrup for the honey and it was perfect.
useful (3)
Vegan Planet: 400 Irresistible Recipes with Fantastic Flavors from Home and Around the World
By Robin Robertson
Harvard Common Press - 2003
Creamy and rich with a hint of sweetness from the butternut squash.
useful (0)
The Joy of Vegan Baking: The Compassionate Cooks' Traditional Treats and Sinful Sweets
By Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Fair Winds Press - 2007
Very creamy, sweet and brown sugary.
useful (0)
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
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)
Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook
By Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Terry Hope Romero
Da Capo Press - 2007
Very moist muffins, the orange zest lends a wonderful aroma combined with carrot and pineapple. Lovely texture and not too sweet.
useful (1)
Get It Ripe: A Fresh Take on Vegan Cooking and Living
By jae steele
Arsenal Pulp Press - 2008
This is exactly what I wanted to eat! A creamy, tomato soup with a touch of heat.
The recipe specified soaking the cashews for 4 to 8 hours but I didn't feel like waiting so I only soaked them for about 40 minutes while the soup was simmering. It was just enough time to soften them slightly and they added a lovely texture to the soup.
I also accidentally added 2 tablespoons of maple syrup instead of 2 teaspoons so I increased the amount of tomatoes to balance out the sweetness.
useful (2)
Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook
By Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Terry Hope Romero
Da Capo Press - 2007
A friend of mine told me that she enjoys this recipe as a side dish without making the crust. My first go round I wanted to make it with the topping even though I'm not an olive lover and don't stock them in my pantry. The sauce was creamy and rich with the tarragon being the dominant flavour. I think I would have liked a little hint of sweetness or acidity in the sauce for some balance. I didn't have sherry and used the option of white wine vinegar instead but I think the small amount was lost in the sauce.
Overall, I enjoyed the dish. It's a little bit time and labour intensive for a quick supper but I'm glad I tried it. It would go well paired with a crisp green salad or some greens.
useful (1)
The Asian Vegan Kitchen: Authentic and Appetizing Dishes from a Continent of Rich Flavors
By Hema Parekh, Tae Hamamura
Kodansha International - 2008
useful (1)
This is quite a liquid-y dish, more of a soup than what I had anticipated. The coconut milk adds a lovely creaminess to the curry that I love. I almost halved the amount of liquids, both coconut milk and water. I also cut the oil from 4 tablespoons to one to make the dish more calorie friendly. For the Thai soup paste, I used Thai Kitchen Red Curry Paste which has almost identical ingredients and my final change was to up the amount of peas from 1/2 cup to a full cup.
I think this would have been much too thin without the above changes. The flavours were nice with just a touch of heat. Lovely served over noodles or rice.
useful (1)
Appetite for Reduction: 125 Fast and Filling Low-Fat Vegan Recipes
By Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Matthew Ruscigno
Da Capo Lifelong Books - 2010
A simple and effective way to make your mashed potatoes a little healthier. The author makes it easy to jazz up the flavour with 6 suggestions of various ingredient additions such as herbs, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon zest etc.
I made them simple the first time and think they would taste even better accompanied with some kind of gravy or served with a saucy dish.
useful (2)
This soup has all the flavours I love; roasted bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, chickpeas, coriander and rosemary. I found the rosemary a little too dominant and will reduce the amount the next time I make it. It’s a very hearty soup and made for an easy week-night supper and with a few, tiny tweaks it gets a big, thumbs up!
useful (0)
Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook
By Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Terry Hope Romero
Da Capo Press - 2007
My husband and I really enjoyed these beans. Unfortunately, because I didn't have the required light molasses, I had to use a very strongly flavoured dark molasses and my daughter couldn't get past the overpowering smell and flavour. I cut the amount in half and added some agave nectar to replace it but it did not mask the strong smell. I will definitely have to re-stock my pantry because these simple baked beans were very satisfying and we enjoyed them paired with fluffy steamed rice and veggies.
This is a fairly quick recipe to put together and then throw in the oven for an hour while you prepare the rest of your meal.
useful (3)
The Happy Herbivore Cookbook: Over 175 Delicious Fat-Free and Low-Fat Vegan Recipes
By Lindsay S. Nixon
BenBella Books - 2011
I was fairly happy with this miso based sauce. It's quite similar to other vegan "cheese" sauces I've made in the past and since I did not expect it to taste like actual cheddar sauce, it didn't disappoint. Quick to prepare on the stove-top, I served it mixed with pasta, broccoli and cauliflower for an easy lunch.
useful (0)
Vegan Diner: Classic Comfort Food for the Body and Soul
By Julie Hasson
Running Press - 2011
A creamy, cashew based sauce with smoked paprika that adds an interesting bit of kick. I used slightly less than 1 1/4 teaspoons, probably around 1 teaspoon because I wasn't sure if the smoked paprika would be too overpowering in the sauce.
useful (1)
The smell of the almond extract while these were baking was amazing! I didn't have dried cherries and had to substitute maraschino cherries which added a nice sweetness. They were quite dense, not light and fluffy and I think they need more fruit or something to jazz them up a bit. Good but not out of this world.
useful (1)
Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook
By Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Terry Hope Romero
Da Capo Press - 2007
These cutlets were unexpectedly delicious. I panfried them a little too long and even though they were a little crispy on the bottom, they remained chewy and flavourful. Next time I will make a double batch because our family devoured them.
useful (2)
Website: Vegaloca
This veggie loaf has endless variations and makes a regular appearance at Sunday night supper paired with some mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes and veggies. I love making this and playing around with the seasonings, grains and protein combinations but this first version I tried was excellent.
useful (0)