Hot for Food Vegan Comfort Classics

December 18, 2017
Canadian media personality Toyota, creator of the vegan Hot for Food blog and the YouTube channel of the same name, presents satisfying recipes for “indulgent, delectable, gourmet vegan comfort foods.” Toyota refashions classic stick-to-your-ribs fare with vegan substitutes such as nuts, tofu, and friendly fats. A chapter titled “Badass Brunches” showcases buttermilk biscuits, waffles with berry syrup and cream, and six plant-based variations on bacon. Finger foods presented here include crispy crabless cakes and party-friendly jalapeño poppers. Soups include a tummy-warming one made with wontons, and mains include deep-fried avocados stuffed with jackfruit. The Mozz, a meltable cashew-based mozzarella replacement, can serve as a topping for onion soup and gyros. For lighter fare, Toyota suggests Thai-inspired roasted green-curry cauliflower, and though salads and raw-veggie dishes are not Toyota’s focus, there are recipes for rich aiolis for sandwich spreads and dressings for salads. Desserts contain gluten, sugar, and shortening and offer “framework recipes” for customizable chocolate/vanilla cake batter and dough for apple fritters or cinnamon rolls. Some recipes require high-speed blenders, food processors, or a deep-frying setup. In this excellent book of hearty, bold recipes, Toyota makes good on her promise to offer “indulgent, not pious” vegan fare.

May 15, 2018

What constitutes comfort food and what is a classic comfort meal? Hot for Food blogger Toyota answers both questions with menu-spanning recipes. Bacon is often among the most missed foods, taste-wise and texture-wise, that vegans long for--and Toyota offers six ways to replicate it. Achieving authentic taste without animal-based ingredients means more preparation and attention to flavor and mouth feel. While most recipes offered here are from scratch, such as the seitan loaf that is the staple for sandwiches, Toyota also uses vegan butter, some vegan cheeses, and nondairy milks. There are some newer nominees for comfort food, such as a savory butternut squash soup, but also top-of-the-list favorites, such as mac and cheese and brownies. Toyota explains how the idea of "comfort food" is formed over time and culturally flavored; Indian bhaji, black bean taquitos, and wonton soup represent the spectrum of satisfying cuisines. VERDICT Vegan cooks will find this volume true to its title, with recipes that will be among their favorite "classics."--Jeanette McVeigh, Univ. of the Sciences, Philadelphia

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