Thoughts from the Darkside

I've been working my way around the web making smoothies for my breakfasts, how did I get by before Pinterest? I know with a never ending and unwieldy book mark list.

Speaking of unwieldy things, I organised my vegan cookbooks. This was a time consuming process because I kept pausing in the process to read them.
I got it all done in the end and they are now grouped into rough categories, sweet & savoury baking, sweet baking & desserts, world cuisine, etc.

Six cookbooks have been chosen, from which I made a short medium list of things to make, which was really really hard because I want to cook all the things from all the books!
Details are below, along with some brief thoughts on the books. Peruse at your leisure!

Thug Kitchen 101

Ah, Thug Kitchen, this is the third book and like the first two and their website contains strong language. Know your audience, my mother is not that audience. Which means when I make the Bolognese she can see the recipe but only under close supervision.

• Chickpea Bolognese
• Instant Oatmeal Smoothie

Isa Does It

Isa Chandra Moskowitz, I love all her books! Out of the many of Isa's recipes I've made I have had only one fail. Can't recommend her enough.

• Chandra Malai Kofta
• Thai Overnight Scramble
• Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Seared Brussels Sprouts & Tarragon Cream
• Mushroom Hot Pot
• Ancho Lentil Tacos
• Pureed Split Pea & Rutabaga (Swede) Soup

Smith & Daughters 

I was so excited for this as it was an Australian vegan cookbook, I've become fluent in North American cookbook language but still. I love this book, it has beautiful kitschy photos, black pages and very yummy sounding recipes. It has a very Latin vibe to a lot of the food, think Spanish and Mexican.

• Oyster Mushroom & White Bean Ceviche
• Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs)
• Gambas Al Ajillo (Spanish Prawns)

Oh She Glows Cookbook

Oh She Glows, it's a healthful cookbook, which does make it one I wouldn't dip into often. Contrary to many of the current health trends I still cook with oil, eat sugar and carbs and I don't think eating the occasional food made with white flour is really all that bad.
The saying which I believe is attributed to the French "Everything in moderation, including moderation", is my motto and to back this up I've lost 30kgs and counting. While this is obviously working, I'm still happy to make room on my bookshelf and in my stomach for the more healthful offerings out there.

• Present Glow Bars
• Morning Glory Smoothie

Hippie Lane The Cookbook

Hippie Lane, is another healthful cookbook and an Australian author! When I read about it, off I went in search of it. After looking at it, I decided to buy it for two reasons. Firstly, it was an Australian author and secondly despite being healthful, I knew I would eventually make everything in the breakfast section. While the other sections are not unappealing, it's not likely to be the first book I reach for when planning dinner.
I was also quite intrigued by the Sweet chapter, a lot of the recipes in it are Raw recipes. I've always been a bit skeptical about the whole Raw food movement, I must admit a couple of Raw food cookbooks do grace my bookshelves and I often look at them and think in the summer when it's hot...

• Neapolitan Chia Puddings - Strawberry and Chocolate Flavours
• Roasted Cinnamon Pumpkin Soup
• Banana Cinnamon Smoothie
• Strawberry Lovers Smoothie
• Chai Tea Lattes
• Spiced Ginger, Pecan & Pear Granola

Stretch goals:

• Veggie Brunch Board
• Fruit Platter with Orange Lime Dressing & Strawberry Yoghurt

Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook

This was the latest book Isa Chandra Moskowitz released and it's a lovely book, but...You could all see that coming. It's interesting to read about the occasions each chapter is on, most of those aren't really celebrated in my corner of the world and if they are the book is written with a Northern Hemisphere climate in mind. I think to get the most use out of it I will need to think of it as seasonal rather than event cooking. The food in the Thanksgiving and Christmas chapters looks delicious but would be better served in winter rather than December here.

• Arancini with Almond Cheese
• Tofu Short Ribs with Gingery Mashed Root Vegetables
• Seared Dragon Green Beans with Almonds