I think I’ve mentioned a couple times how awesome the food at my church is. I’ve often said that if Ā every meal I ate could be like the food I ate at my church, I probably could actually follow aĀ vegetarian/vegan diet for 99% of the time.
I got to eat very, very well throughout medical school, due in part to the lovely people at my church. I try to pilfer recipes from them whenever possible (for instance, the vegan Walnut Oat Patties I made for my very first Recipe ReDux, Tofu Scramble, Ā Raspberry Coconut Cream Frosting that I guest-posted over on Rachel’s blog!).
They also told me about the cookbook where they get a lot of their recipes!
Country Life Vegetarian Cookbook
Pages: 192
Genre: Cookbook
Country Life Vegetarian Cookbook is divided into 9 different sections (along with an index)! They aren’t veryyy clearly demarcated, but just look at the top of each page and you’ll know which section you’re in. (In truth, this is pretty much a vegan cookbook. No dairy products at all!)
Wholesome Breakfasts
It includes a cooking time chart for whole grain cereals that shows you the type of grain, cups of water, and the time that’s needed for each to cook. It also lists directions for 5 other cooking methods:
- Overnight Method
- Thermos Method
- Crock Pot
- Sprouted Grain Cereals
- Oven Method
Banana-Orange Granola, Carob Cereal Pudding, Breakfast Banana Split, Layered Bread Pudding, Hashbrown Waffles, Peach-Raisin Topping, Orange Fig Butter, Almond Cream Fruit Dressing, Pineapple-Apricot Butter, Cashew Fruit Spread, Tofu Potato Latkes…
Healthful Desserts
Tapioca Pudding, Marzipan Squares, Polynesian Bars, Haystack Cookies, Pinwheel Refrigerator Cookies, Coconut-Oat Pie Crust, Maple Walnut Pie, 3 versions of Soy Whipped Cream, Coconut Walnut Icing, Waffle Cake…
Meatless Entrees
This chapter includes a section on preparing beans for cooking, and various cooking methods for beans, as well as ways to dress up potatoes! There are also several recipes for different sauces, spreads, and seasonings…and evenĀ a couple recipes on how to make gluten!
Harvest Nut Roast, British Lentil Loaf, Brazilian Rice, Kasha Au Gratin, Armenian Lentil Pilaf, Shepherd’s Pot Pie, Cuban Black Beans, Sunshine Timbales, Cashew White Sauce…
Salads, Vegetables, Soups
This chapter has tons of different recipes on how to make different dressings, vegan cheeseĀ and healthier versions of soy mayonnaise!
Tabouli Salad, Jewish Pepper Salad, Tofu “Egg” Salad, Gomasio, Tomato Baskets, Lima Bean Chowder, Dutch Potato Soup, Scotch Broth…
Beverages
Apricot Nectar, Soy Milk, Tahini-Date Milk, Nut Milk, vegan Half & Half, Figgie Milk, Grape-Banana Shake…
Breads
This chapter shares the ingredients and instructions for breadmaking, as well as the common pitfalls of defects in breadmaking and possible causes.
Sesame Soup Thins, Graham Crackers, Corn Journey Cakes, Basic Whole Wheat Bread, Raisin Pumpernickel,Ā Apple Icing Bread, Honey Buns, English Scones…
Potpourri
This chapter shares information and/or instructions on how to quickly make different ingredients that some of the recipes in this book call for!
Cinnamon Substitute, Ground Tapioca, Oat Flour, Toasted Nuts & Seeds (includes the recommended time to toast each type of nut/seed)…
The Protein Myth +Ā Dietary Fat – Good or Bad?
As the titles of these last two chapters suggest, they briefly discuss the two macronutrients: protein + fats! Granted, the research for them is from 25 years ago, but the overall message? Everything in moderation.
The only downside to this book is that it has no pictures and it’s in black and white, which I know can be a dealbreaker forĀ some. (It was published in 1990, so go figure. The title page of mine is signedĀ with “From Daddy, Christmas ’93.“)
As you probably know by now, I love and adore gorgeous pictures of food, but this cookbook has so many delicious recipes that I’m actually okay with it! What it lacks in photos and color, it gives back in tons and tons of simple + deliciousĀ recipes packed into a littleĀ 192-page book!
You can pick up your own copy on Amazon for a couple bucks!
- Have you ever been to a Country Life restaurant? I think there’s still one in Georgia!
- What’s your favorite vegan recipe?Ā Share it with me in the comments!
Check out my other book reviews!
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Sometimes those random cookbooks are the best- my two favorites in my kitchen are from church, synagogue recipe collections- those are the recipes that people actually make! I love a great vegan or vegetarian cookbook too, as my recipes seem to have so much unhealthy cheese or fat in them- my favorite recipe that I make is for my vegan burgers(link to it is here: http://wp.me/p4HfwA-oe), made with sweet potato and no egg. I make a ton and then freeze them so they are always on hand.
Barrie recently posted…The Big Bean Mac
Forreals! I really need to try to go pilfer some more of the recipes–there were always so many delicious dishes to look forward to at the potlucks! :]
Thanks for sharing that recipe! Freezer-friendly recipes right now would rock my world! *-* I can’t wait to try making it! :]!
Farrah recently posted…Cinnamon Apple Phyllo Tarts
OMG I need this cookbook asap. If I had a private chef that used this cook book I would happily be vegan. Have a great week Farrah.
Mary recently posted…Quiet Negative Self Talk
I wish I had a private chef too! <3!
Farrah recently posted…Cinnamon Apple Phyllo Tarts
As a vegetarian, I’m always looking for new things to try. Thanks for sharing this book :)
Edye recently posted…Why I Donāt Have A Blogging āNicheā
Anytime! I love this book! :D!
Farrah recently posted…Cinnamon Apple Phyllo Tarts
I loveee old fashioned cookbooks because they’re always no nonsense delicious recipes.
One of my favourite vegan recipes is this baked mac and cheese: http://www.southerninlaw.com/2016/08/the-best-vegan-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe-gluten-free.html – it’s actually the ONLY mac and cheese recipe Jesse will let me make now as it’s his favourite (and he had no idea it was vegan the first time I made it, haha!)
Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Recent Things: Piggy Puns, Massage Fails and Creepy Statues
Agreed! I definitely need to try more of these out! <3
I neeeeed to make that one soon! Just need to get my butt to the grocery store, but I unfortunately haven't had time to go in a couple weeks! :'(
Farrah recently posted…Cinnamon Apple Phyllo Tarts
I don’t know this restaurant. That’s awesome it’s full of great recipes, even without the fun pictures!
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…StyleWe: Buying Fashion Online
I’ve never been to the restaurant either (not sure if it’s even still around) but ah, the recipes are awesome! :D Makes up for the lack of photos! ;P
Farrah recently posted…Cinnamon Apple Phyllo Tarts
The Country Life Restaurant in New York City was open from 1980-1990. I think there’s still a Country Life Restaurant down South (Georgia?)
Author
If it still exists, I’m definitely gonna have to go visit if I ever have a chance to go down south!
I used to eat here every day when I worked in Boston in the 90s Lovely family that tan it ā¦ I think they have moved the restaurant to Keene New Hampshire
That’s so cool — I’ll need to visit sometime!
Farrah recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date: February 2024
I’m 99.9% sure I either have this cookbook or I’ve read it (yes, read it. I read cookbooks). Thanks for the review, Farrah!
Rosey Rebecca recently posted…Currently (March 2018 Edition)
I have no idea how I missed this comment but hope you’ve been doing well + glad I’m not the only one! :P
Farrah recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date: February 2024
I worked for Country Life in New York City from 1981-1984. I was a soup cook and also worked at the cash registers. I learned so much from Dianne Fleming, Arthur Brodie, Anita Brodie, Carol Marno and others whose recipes are in the Country Life Cookbook. The photo on the front of the cookbook is of the Ashton family with Duke the Belgian workhorse in front of the main house on the farm we lived at in New Jersey. I found your site while doing a search for the famous oat burger recipe.
Author
That’s so awesome! I had no idea! I was trying to google for more information but couldn’t find any anywhere–I didn’t know the farm was in NJ! :O
There is a country life restaurant in Keene NH.
Author
Thatās awesomeāthanks for letting me know! :]
I had dinner at Country Life in Keene, NH tonight… oh that buffet is a little bit of plant-based heaven! They told me there is a new cook book coming… and thatās when I heard about this gem! Cannot wait to try. Itās like if Nana was a vegan. The food feels like home.
That’s so cool! Definitely gonna make it one of my stops if I’m ever out in New Hampshire! :]
Farrah recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date: February 2024