A few years ago there were only a handful of vegan cookbooks. Today it’s dozens, and I recently learned that 200 new vegan cookbooks are on the way!
Great news unless you decide which cookbook to add to your library. Luckily I didn’t have to choose as I received a hard copy version of Crazy Sexy Kitchen as a gift. Subtitled “150 Plant-Based Recipes for a Delicious Revolution” – and without using the word “vegan” – Crazy Sexy Kitchen enlightens us on the many benefits of plant-based eating (for animals, the environment and health). and states that every move toward a “plant passion diet” and away from the standard American diet is positive.
While some may believe giving cookbooks sizzling titles is a marketing ploy, co-author Kris Carr (of Crazy Sexy Cancer) and chef Chad Sarno’s approach is sure to appeal to anyone looking to increase their vitality and fitness seeks.
What I like most about CSK is that it emphasizes healing recipes using fresh, locally sourced vegetables and showcases a variety of cuisines and cooking techniques, from basic to advanced. CSK offers a wide range of raw food recipes (16 pages for juices and smoothies, 23 pages for salads and some appetizers) and techniques, as well as cooked recipes featuring prominent vegan chefs such as Tal Ronnen, Sarma Melngailis and Fran Costigan.
Before delving into recipes, the book gives you the basics of the Crazy Sexy Diet (Carr’s previous book), information on how to prepare your kitchen, and cooking supplies and tips. Carr summarizes Crazy Sexy Diet (CSD) as “a nutrient-dense, plant-friendly approach to eating and living that balances your beautiful body at the cellular level.” She explains that inflammation leads to disease, mentions the dangers of dairy, meat and sugar, and also talks about acid-base (pH) balance:
“As part of your inflammatory wellness plan, I encourage you to reduce or eliminate any gross foods that irritate your body, including foods made with high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and trans fats. And let’s not forget the chemicals, drugs, and anything else you can’t make out phonetically.”
Addressing the controversial issue of soy products, Carr, who was diagnosed with cancer at 31, says that “many of the same doctors who advise patients to avoid soy never mention the abundant levels of estrogen and other growth hormones found in dairy products If you are avoiding soy as a result of a cancer diagnosis, please make sure to consider eliminating dairy as well.”
All recipes are labeled with icons that identify recipes by nutritional preference (soy-free, gluten-free, raw, kid-friendly), difficulty level (‘eazy breezy’ or ‘cheffy’) and ‘time saver’. There are also a few pages (p. 274) of suggested menus with promising names like Zero Stress in 30 Minutes or Less, The Simple Life, For Your Valentine, and Office Lunch Party.
I first heard Chad Sarno’s name while preparing his cashew cheese recipe in Tal Ronnen’s The Conscious Cook three years ago. It was my first exposure to raw food and I’m glad to see that Crazy Sexy Kitchen has a good selection of raw food recipes. In addition to juice and smoothies, there are old-school raw appetizers like raw pasta and “rawvioli” (ravioli with wraps made from sliced beets). Carr says she encourages people to “up their intake of raw foods” and that a combination of mostly raw foods and some cooked foods is ideal long-term.
Although CSK has dozens of tempting recipes, some of my favorites are:
- French toast with amaretto cream (p. 105)
- Crab cakes with palm hearts and tartar sauce (151)
- Chickpeas with Root Vegetable Tagine (185)
- Beetroot ravioli with cashew cream cheese (193)
- Madeira Peppercorn Tempeh (203)
- Rocking Rosemary Popcorn (245)
- Raw Apple Spiced Rum Shortcake with Maple Vanilla Glaze (273)
Is Crazy Sexy Kitchen a good choice for you?
A cookbook is a very personal choice — especially when it means making diet and lifestyle changes — but here are some characteristics of CSK you might want to consider:
- Recipes from a variety of chefs that will impress your friends and family and give you a comprehensive view of all the possibilities of plant-based eating.
- Some raw food recipes require a high-speed blender as well as a dehydrator, and this can be a hindrance for some. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have or can’t afford some equipment. A spirooli slicer is an affordable entry point. You can add the other items to your “wish list” at any time.
- Offers tips on saving money that you can use to buy local and organic ingredients.
- Some recipes call for vegan butter or shortening or other vegan convenience foods (which I don’t like), but they’re useful for transitioning to a more plant-based diet.
In general, Crazy Sexy Kitchen caters to the aspiring chef, the vegan curious, or just those looking to cook healthier meals. For long-time vegans and seasoned chefs, it can round out your collection and broaden your horizons. With dozens of beautiful photos and an attractive design, it also makes a great coffee table book and gift idea.
Thanks to William Santoro