Vegan Deli: Wholesome Ethnic Fast Food

To see the words Vegan and Deli in the same sentence makes you do a double-take. Relax, it's true! Jo Stepaniak has taken the delicious, comforting world of deli foods and managed to make something wholesome and healthy out of it. When I think deli food, healthy doesn't exactly spring to mind. Enter Vegan Deli. This book has THE most amazing span of deli salads I have ever seen. "Cold Mushroom Salad with Cilantro and Cumin", "Fried Pepper and Tomato Salad", and the ever delectable "Caponata". Caponata is a cold Italian eggplant salad...an Italian salsa if you will. It is delicious eaten on its own out of a dish...but my preferred method of eating and presenting Caponata is topping some fresh crusty bread with it! Those are above and beyond the array of potato salads in this book such as "New Potato Salad With Olives and Capers". What first prompted me to buy this book was the "Pickled & Marinated Vegetables" section with it's many recipes such as "Mixed Vegetable Pickles" and "Pickled Eggplant 'Herring'"...Yum! For an amazingly simple dish that's sure to impress, I recommend the "Noodles in Peanut Sauce". I like to serve that with a simple salad and "Asian-Style Dressing". "Better Than Chicken Noodle Soup" is exactly what it's title suggests...my grandma never came close...Sorry Grandma! Another reader had mentioned the "Lemony Lentil Soup With Noodles and Mint" and I have to agree. Lentil soup has always been a favorite of mine, but I had never had it with this minty twist. It is to die for! "Classic Onion Soup" is another favorite. I like to make a batch of this, top with a recipe of Mostarella Cheese (from The Uncheese Cookbook, Jo Stepaniak), place in a tureen and bake. Just like the real thing. I am stuffed just writing about this delicious food, but could always save room for "Hot Apples" or "Ambrosia". Ambrosia is literally "food of the gods" and I must agree...it is simple yet exotic and truly exquisite. Well reader, I hope this review has helped sway you...You won't be disappointed with Vegan Deli!

Vegan Deli is an amazing cookbook! Every recipe that I have ever made from it has been delicious, and absolutely ingenious. Not only am I in awe of the recipes from Vegan Deli, but my guests who have also dined on these recipes have shared the same sentiments. I am continuously asked by friends for the mouthwatering recipes that this book holds. Joanne Stepaniak continues to amaze me every time I bring her recipes to my table. Some of my favorites so far include the black bean hummus, which has such a rich and wonderful flavor to it, yet it is not loaded with fat. Also the white bean salmon spread is always a party favorite when I bring it to gatherings. The lemony lentil soup literally had my guests moaning with delight. It brings the perfect combination of flavors together-red lentils and lemons. At the same time, Joanne adds a new twist to the lovely mixture by adding mint and noodles to the recipe. It truly is unique and delectable. The luscious cashew sesame bean "cheese" is a delightful spread for bagels. It reminds me slightly of cream cheese, but I find it much tastier than the cream cheese I remember from childhood. I love the tang of the lemon and the rich taste of the cashew butter mixed together with the bitterness of tahini. If I have not raved enough about the previous recipes, then perhaps this one might tempt you. The lentil walnut "chopped liver" is hands down one of the best foods I have ever eaten. It is wonderful on crackers, in sandwiches, or even just straight up with a spoon! It is worth buying the book for this recipe alone. Not only do the recipes in Vegan Deli taste good, but they are also very healthful, easy to prepare, and light on the checkbook-making this cookbook one you do not want to miss out on having.

For a long time, I have been searching for really good recipes like the ones in this book. I tried to veganize some non-vegan versions with very little success. I was also looking for foods of this nature to make in bulk for work, parties, etc. This food will keep, and you really don't have to worry about temperature variations. A lot of these items are good hot or cold.Vegan Deli's "Boneless Chickenless Chicken Salad" is an absolute winner, worthy of spreading in a sandwich or just eating on its own. At a recent work party, many were incredulous when I revealed that this recipe is completely free of animal products. I had brought some as part of our potluck dinner and party. There were no leftovers. Many other dishes at my workplace did have leftovers, and I had made more than enough of my dish for the party. So everyone was obviously digging into my contribution.How's that for proof?Joanne includes Eastern European fare as well as many other deli delights. I was pleased to find Tunisian and Moroccan recipes along with the delightful things that we all so fondly remember growing up-now veganized! This book proves that simple recipes are often better, and more versatile! I never saw quite the plethora of recipes all under one roof. It was my "holy grail" to find a Vinaigrette coleslaw that worked, and a potato salad that was not boring (not to mention the vegan issue.) This book offered both and then some. Many potato salads are included-believe it or not-one does not even contain mayonnaise! That recipe is a vinaigrette potato salad. Wonderful!The "Chick Peas and Spinach" with its Middle Eastern flare of lemon and mint, was so addictive it was unreal. As the days went on, it became even better, as flavors mingled. The Spicy Italian Chick Pea soup and fruit soup were also winners, reminding me that next time I will have to quadruple the recipes so that all of my friends can share! The mock tuna recipes and the lox also worked well.So if you have friends that want to cook ahead and store, or make party food or even lunch foods, check out this book. Joanne Stepaniak proves once again that there's no excuse to avoid being vegan! Get back to your roots and get this book! Even if it's not your roots, you'll be familiar with a lot of the contents and you will enjoy this book.

9 times out of 10 I just want to whip up something that takes all of 15 minutes to prepare. I get home from work and/or school, tired as hell with little energy. Nothing sucks more than scarfing down embarrassing amounts of veggie burgers in a daze of slackerdom. If you are like me, you CAN slack and eat healthy with the help of this book! Most of the dishes featured in this book are salads that can be eaten cold or warm, are fool-proof and rediculously easy to prepare, and still taste good after a few days in the fridge. Also featured are easy "pickles" of various sorts, some soups, and some dressings. The author takes her inspiration for the food from the ethnic, Kosher delis of the early 1900s, which I found to be a unique and interesting approach to cooking, even though I am not Jewish. Versitality and simplicity are the key in ALL of the recipies included in this book. How nice is it to cook some green beans, toss it with some chickpeas with a little lemon and olive oil and call it 'supper'?!?! This book will be a god-send to those who pack their lunches for school and work, or like to cook their meals ahead of time. The ingredients are easy to change as per your own personal taste, and are easily obtainable in ANY grocery store. Plus, the dishes in this book can be eaten in infinite combinations with each other. I also must say that the dishes are great for hot summer weather, when you just want to eat something light and refreshing. Vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters alike will enjoy this user-friendly approach to healthy eating!

"Hey Manny, gimme a #3 Special: Corned Beef on Rye, hold the animal protein and cholesterol." In Vegan Deli: Wholesome Ethnic Fast Food, Joanne Stepaniak, acclaimed vegan authority, makes you feel like you're back on Delancy St., on the lower east side of New York. Using only plant-based ingredients, Joanne "preserves the humble traditions of the past while incorporating the healthful trends of the present." She captures the essence of a natural deli counter in which all the food is glatt kosher (no mixing of meat and dairy - because there is none). You want a cucumber salad? There are five to choose from! Going on a picnic? Choose from 6 cabbage salads, and seven potato salads. Red Pepper Lox on a bagel - oi vey, I'm drooling! There is also a section on dressings, soups (including Borscht), hot specials (including 4 Kugel recipes), and simple fruit dishes. I will be using this book all year round; no antacids necessary.