Vegan World Fusion Cuisine: Healing Recipes and Timeless Wisdom from Our Hearts to Yours

The Blossoming Lotus is a vegan restaurant based in Kauai, Hawaii, with another restaurant in Portland. Their cookbook is both beautiful as well as delicious: full of photographs of sacred sites and original artwork, the layout is simple and uncluttered. There are also numerous inspirational quotations that accompany the gorgeous photographs. The book is arranged into: *appetizers, snacks, and spreads *soups *dressings and sauces *salads and sides *wraps and sandwiches *breads, pizzas, and pasta *tempeh, tofu, and seitan *casseroles, grains and beans *desserts *breakfast, juice and smoothies There is also an introduction to veganism, a vegan natural food preparation guide, a food glossary, and a resource guide. In addition, most recipes offer several variations and there is a "quick and easy" guide that suggests additional meals, snacks, and treats. The recipes boast clever names, many making use of alliteration (Bahkti's Broccoli Bisque, Super Shakti's Spanikopita). Many are heavily influenced by Asian cuisine (Thai, Japanese, Indian, etc.). This may pose a problem if you don't have access to a natural food store; some of the more exotic ingredients include ulu (breadfruit), black rice, spelt tortillas, and umeboshi (Japanese plum paste). If you are lucky enough to live near a Whole Foods Market, you should have no problem in tracking down less common ingredients. Ingredients and instructions are clearly and simply presented. The majority of ingredients can be found at your local farmers market or in your garden. Roughly half of the recipes are "live," or raw vegan. These are clearly marked by a lotus. Although I do not normally adhere to a raw vegan diet, I appreciated having choices for raw vegan appetizers, main courses, and desserts. (One final thought: If you are allergic to soy, you may have to experiment with small substitutions, as nearly every recipe calls for soy in some form, be it shoyu, soy milk, tofu, or tempeh.)

This is one of the most thorough and user-friendly cookbooks I have used. Every possible angle has been thought out and addressed. The recipes generally utilize ingredients that I already have in stock. When a question arose regarding an ingredient, it was easily answered with the glossary. Approximate cooking/preparation times are given for all dishes. Menu suggestions are very helpful. The variety of recipes is impressive. Most are for "normal" food, not far-out, bizarre dishes that people would be hesitant to try. The book itself is beautiful. Lushly illustrated with photos both of the foods and of peoples and places from around the world, each recipe is enhanced with quotes from various sources, which are 'slipped in' in a very palatable manner. There are many resources included for a variety of services, agencies, and organizations, relevant to vegans and lifestyle conscious people in general. A section on "preparation basics" covers cooking methods and equipment. A "soaking and sprouting" chart, as well as a chart covering the how and how much of cooking grains, are very helpful. Raw food recipes are included, in addition to complete menus and meal suggestions. Contributors to the cookbook and The Blossoming Lotus restaurant are nicely acknowleged. This cookbook combines the best features of my favorite cookbooks into one. It makes for enjoyable reading in addition to being a handy reference. I consider it to be a gift to the vegan cook, or any cook.

This book detailis the route to vegan bliss. Incredible recipes and bursting with pictures from all over the world. It is just as much fun to grab this book and thumb through it for the pictures as it is to cook up the incredible, and I must say, eye pleasing recipes. As you tavel the world through this book you will find ways to prepare the food of your vegan dreams. This book will also awaken your mind to the reasons to be vegan. It is more than just about your own health. The health, and perhaps survival of our planet may also rely on a move towards veganism. This book goes from soup to nuts but it also covers juice to gourmet as well. Whether you have a minute to grab something healthy to eat, or a day to lovingly prepare a special meal, this is the book. If you are not vegan...that's OK. Buy the book anyhow. This is just plain tasty food for the whole world. And this is food for life. One last thing that impressed me about this book. So many cookbooks say add "Whatzavege" or some other product you never heard of. You scour store after natural store looking for "Whatzavege" only to never find it. Not here...this book directs you to page ## and gives you the recipe to make it. Is that cool or what? Very thorough section on marinades and condiments. And even a good recipe for homemade vegetable soup stock. Well, that is all...gotta go make some Daddy Dread's Jamaican Jerk Plantain out of my Vegan World Fusion book. Spicy!

I loved the Blossoming Lotus in Kauai. In fact, we had our best vegetarian meal ever---rated a perfect 10. (The enchilada cassarole and the red curry plate). We bought the book while there and it is just a beautiful book to remember our trip, with pictures of Kauai and interesting information about food, etc. The good news is that the recipes are not too difficult and the food tastes great. I in fact made the enchillada cassarole with some improvisation and it tasted fantastic. I did find it to be a little more ingredient intensive then some other veggie cookbooks but certainly nothing so difficult that the dish would be ruined. I've been learning about a few combinations too along with different ways to use tofu and tahini. I wish I had a Blossoming Lotus in my town but instead I'll have to rely on my own renditions as often as I can!