I am a very good home cook. I typically look at recipes online and use them as a "jumping off point" and flavor them how I think would be best, etc. I haven't purchased a cookbook in almost 15 years because of the plethora of free recipes online. I chose to purchase Nisha's cookbook because I knew, with her exceptional attention to detail and the tips and tricks she gives in every YouTube video as RainbowPlantLife, that this book would make me an even better cook. I was not wrong! This book goes into so much detail about ingredients, cooking methods, and her thought processes behind so much - it's just a delight to actually READ the cookbook, let alone cook out of it. I particularly enjoyed the "Ode to ... (Tofu, etc.)" sections in the book. And let's not forget the photography in the book is incredibly beautiful. It's almost a coffee table art book IMO. :) Yes, the book is BIG. Yes, it is VEGAN. Yes, it has FLAVOR - to the Nth degree, I might say! I just received the book on Tuesday, Sept. 3 (I pre-ordered a copy) - today is September 8 and I have already made 2 recipes out of it. Even my husband commented that this was a first - that I cooked 2 recipes out of a cookbook so soon after obtaining it. He's right, of course, but that's a nod to Nisha's incredible recipes. I think you will thoroughly enjoy this book; however, keep in mind that it is BIG. It's sizable and heavy. I had to clear a special spot in my kitchen today when I was making one of the recipes. That being said, I will probably purchase it in a digital version from Apple Books because I enjoy it so much and, frankly, it's easier to use an iPad with a proper iPad cookbook stand than this book. As I mentioned above, it's a beautiful book, so I'll keep it on my coffee table and use the digital version in the kitchen. For those of you that are not "good" cooks to begin with, this book is chock full of tips tricks and explicit details for the recipes. You can't go wrong with it. For those of you that already commented that it's not how you would cook for a family - I don't know your family, but mine will enjoy nearly all of the recipes in it. It's all a matter of perspective and how one enjoys cooking. Some of there recipes are definitely not 30 minute meals...

Love the sections on maximizing flavors and textures. The Building Block Recipes are so well thought out and extremely useful for the home cook! I feel that this book is super approachable for newer cooks and new vegans but also for us seasoned cooks and vegans. Also non-vegans will love this food! I'm delighted that Nisha focuses on healthy ingredients! If you only buy ONE cookbook, buy THIS one. What fantastic value!

This book delivers on everything and more that is promised. The recipes are abundant, the writing is clear, friendly, inviting, and concise. This is a fantastic gift for both the new vegan or the long time vegans like myself (20+ years). There are so many practical and time saving tips that don’t compromise on flavor. And this book is HUGE. clearly an opus magnum. It’s a beautiful book too. Recipes work and are flavorful and offer a range of textures and colors that both inspire and satisfy. Highly recommended!

I’ve been vegan (and vegetarian) curious for a while and slowly moving toward more and more plant based cooking. I started watching her YouTube channel a few months ago and have loved Nisha’s approach to teaching, guiding and inviting us to join her. She is smart, talented, easy to listen to and follow, and entertaining. Her book is absolutely delightful. By the end of day two, I had read the book word by word though chapter one and skimmed the recipes and photos with anticipation of trying them all! Artistically photographed, well written and carefully crafted. My sole complaint is the weight of the book. It’s huge and hard to hold in my lap and read! Thanks for a vegan masterpiece!

This is a beautifully crafted book, with fabulous photography, a witty writing style, and diverse information for the cook who is as hungry for learning as they are for new and provocative recipes to keep life interesting. The photography itself is tantalizing, and incentive for getting your apron on (or at least getting a snack to quell the hunger pains). The book is organized in three parts: mastering the cuisine, the building blocks, and the recipes. I personally appreciate the first two sections most, as they are educational and - in my opinion - are the key to creating an interesting meal every night. The recipes are a bit daunting with the ingredient lists, many of which aren’t easy to find on Cape Cod where I live. The first I tried required considerable time and countertop real estate for me to put together, which may just point to my inferior kitchen skills, but should be noted. Yes, it was delicious, but only fed me for two days eating alone - not necessarily geared toward making ahead and living on for the next week, so be prepared to double recipes. My favorite recipes are actually the Flavor Boosters, as these are the fairly straightforward recipes I can make once and add to the simplest meals (ie a bowl of grains). It’s all good though, as I’m seeing the usefulness of obtaining a spice box (pulling eight different spice jars out of the cabinet one by one gets mind-boggling), and learning how to incorporate condiments and Flavor Boosters to ramp up an average meal. My favorite part is simply reading the book though, as Nisha has incorporated so many different elements in one big book, I am sure I will turn to this repeatedly in the future. One caveat though, especially for those like myself who eat vegan principally to fill our bodies with the cleanest food possible: there are a number of ingredients and products utilized herein that I really don’t want in my diet. Sugar is a common ingredient as it’s a significant flavor enhancer, and most of the products mentioned are not organic and include ingredients I tend to avoid. It was only after I purchased the recommended pomegranate vinegar that I noticed pomegranate was the third ingredient (following water and sugar), and included artificial additives as well. That was my mistake, but a reminder than not all “vegan” is healthy. Fortunately, I was able to find a single-ingredient organic pomegranate vinegar online, as I think this will be a key ingredient in my kitchen. She also includes beyond meat in a few recipes, which I wouldn’t touch now with a ten-foot pole (research this deeply). But I understand we all eat vegan for different reasons, and these things won’t be issues for many people. They are easy enough to work around. In summary, it’s a great purchase and I recommend buying it if you’re interested in expanding your prowess in the kitchen - or enticing carnivores to eat compelling vegan food that will blow their socks off. And who doesn’t like doing that?