You don’t have to go to Thailand to enjoy some great pad thai. Tamarind is a sour, tangy fruit that is used frequently in Indian and Thai cuisine. Check international aisles, Indian grocery stores, and other Asian grocers for tamarind or look for it on the Internet.
Today’s book Everyday Vegan Eats: Family Favorites from My Kitchen to Yours comes from Zsu Dever, who blogs at Zsu’s Vegan Pantry. This is one of the books that surprises you with the straight forward uncomplicated food. It has an amazing collection of everyday food, classic comfort food and perfectly made staples that you could use in many other recipes or your own creations.
Chapters include: Soups, Sandwiches, Salads, Everyday Mains, Pasta and Grains, Casseroles, Sides and Snacks, Breakfast and Brunch, Desserts and Bakery. The first chapters on cooking basics, cooking techniques and basic recipes are very helpful if you are just transitioning to a vegan diet. The book has ample gorgeous full page photographs which is usually something that compels me to try a recipe :). There are several cuisines and classic dishes covered in the book. The recipes are easy to follow and intuitive.
I have been trying to, and not being very successful at timely book reviews. The context switch from my cookbook recipe development does not come easily. 🙂 And on top of that today is the last day to sign up for Vegan Mofo (vegan month of food September). Yup that is not happening this year. I am so tempted. Stop me!
Back to the book, I made these amazing Banh Mi burgers. with black beans, rice and asian flavors, served up with sriracha mayo sauce and pickled onions, carrots and red peppers. These were a big hit. I didn’t have buns that day, so a large sandwich it was. I think it worked better to hold them veggies in there 🙂
I also made this vegan pad thai (looks like the past week I was craving asian ;). with a slight adjustment to the heat and things that I had on hand. The pad thai disappeared very quickly.
Many other recipes that I plan to try include portabello fajitas, Greek Gyros with Tzatziki sauce (yum!), baked mac and cheese, chilled sesame soba, Tofu Bacon, all of the soups!, Fudge brownies and more.
You can get some of these recipes on the book’s blog tour here and here.
The book is about everyday and delicious and comfort food. It does not claim to be low fat, gluten free or soy free book. The food is delicious, made easily and is family friendly.
From Everyday Vegan Eats by Zsu Dever. ©2014 Zsu Dever. Used by permission from Vegan Heritage Press.
Recipe Card
Pad Thai
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (58 ml) reduced-sodium tamari
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons tamarind liquid or 1 teaspoon tamarind paste mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup (50 g) natural sugar
- 8 ounces (226.8 g) rice noodles
- 4 tablespoons grapeseed or sunflower oil divided
- 1 pound (453.59 g) soft or firm tofu drained, patted dry, and crumbled
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) ground turmeric
- Salt to taste
- 4 ounces (113.4 g) shiitake mushrooms rinsed, patted dry, and cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 1 medium carrot shredded
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons Thai red chili paste
- 1/2 (0.5) medium red bell pepper cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 3 cups (90 g) tightly packed fresh spinach
- 2 cups (208 g) fresh bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup (36.5 g) chopped roasted peanuts
- Cilantro leaves and lime wedges to garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the tamari, lime juice, tamarind, and sugar. Mix well and set aside.
- Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling water until just al dente, about 3 minutes. Drain the noodles, toss with 1 tablespoon of the oil, and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the tofu, nutritional yeast, and turmeric. Cook, stirring, until the tofu is dry, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer the tofu to a bowl, season to taste with salt, and set aside.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and carrots and cook, stirring, until the mushrooms begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chili paste, and bell pepper, and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the noodles, spinach, bean sprouts, peanuts, reserved sauce, and reserved tofu. Cook, stirring, until the noodles are tender but not overcooked, the sauce has been absorbed, and everything is heated through. Serve hot garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.
Notes
Nutrition
g
Tai Summers
We made this last night and it was a holiday in our mouth. We love all your recipes but this is the best dish we’ve eaten in 50 years! Thank you. You are the goddess of vegan foods.
Vegan Richa Support
wow, yay! thank you!
Wendy
Looks wonderful, I will make this very soon, I love all vegan food as long as it isn’t too sweet. I forgo desserts, my sweets have to come from fruit.
Vegan Richa Support
let me know how it turns out for you
Dara
Do you have to use the shiitake mushrooms? Not a fan.
Vegan Richa Support
no – you could use another veg like eggplant or whatever you like!! recipes are just starting points – take them in your own direction if you like
Amna
This was amazing. I used tempeh instead of tofu and used Sriracha sauce instead of Thai red chili paste. I had cashew bits on hand which I roasted and used instead of peanuts. As well, I used coconut sugar (used a bit more to get the sweetness). It was a hit! Definitely a keeper 🙂
Emiko
I made Pad Thai for our dinner. My family loved it. My son is not a vegan, but he enjoyed the meal so much. Thank you, Richa!
Emi
Korie B
My fave vegan comfort food is homemade vegan mac and cheese with teese, some nut milk and nooch 🙂
Meghan
My favorite vegan comfort food is cacao + avocado chocolate mousse! Yummmm! 🙂
Heather
There is so much good food to eat, hard to pick a favorite. I love any vegan Mexican food : )
Annette
My favorite vegan comfort food is a big bowl of Tuscan Vegetable Soup; I make and eat this year-round; it always makes me feel like I’ve done something good for my body.
AR
Hot, thin, crunchy, salty fries! So not healthy, but so good, and comforting!
Veg-in-Training
I love vegan queso and anything made with it.
Mary
Vegan mac and cheese with stewed tomatoes!
Jenny K
My fave comfort food is vegan Mac n Cheese
Natalie
My favorite comfort food is a grilled non-dairy cheese sandwich with tomato soup.
Rochelle KW
My favorite vegan comfort food is potato salad… no frills happiness in a bowl!
Lizzie
I have been making this potato/dill/sauerkraut soup with dumplings lately – so warm and wonderful and comforting!
Nicole
Soup!
Sabrina
My fav is black bean burgers
Nicole
Soup, I couldn’t tell you a specific type it changes with the seasons but we have soup 2 plus days a week even in summer.
Sara
any type of vegan mac and cheese
Amanda
My favorite comfort food is (vegan and gluten-free) grilled cheese sandwiches with soup
Sara
Mmmmm. Love Zsu’s recipes!
Kim
How can I choose just one? Pad Thai is actually way up there on the list, so I <3 that you chose that recipe to share. Pasta, veggie parmigan, chocolate and fresh crusty bread … in no particular order
Kris
My favorite comfort food is, are avocados, Yummy
Corrine
Chili!
Inna
Tortilla soup, loaded with vegetables.
Karen D
My homemade shepherdless pie, with I make with cubed tofu, fried until crispy then doused with tamari and coated with nutritional yeast.
Sara
Pizza! Always pizza.
Julie
My current favorite comfort foods are eggless tofu salad, pumpkin squash soup, and pad thai is definitely one of them- I cannot wait to try this!
Lindsie
My favorite vegan comfort food is soba noodle soup, but this pad thai looks lovely!
Corrin Radd
Made this pad thai tonight for dinner. The family loved it.
virginia
My favorite comfort food — Baked Tofu and Soba Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce.
Laura H.
Pizza! V and GF of course. I’ve tried many crusts and your focaccia-style one trumps them all. Thanks for the giveaway!
Deb E
Anything with the humble potato. I use the skins like fries and mash the insides into a creamy delight…instant comfort.
Kris
mushroom stew…. yum
Gloria Kersh
My fav vegan comfort food is a pot pie!!!! Ummm
Jessica
I love the version of vegan mac and cheese from the Oh She Glows blog…I make it at least once every 1-2 weeks lol
Jessica
My favorite vegan comfort food is this version of mac and cheese that I got from the Oh She Glows blog…I make it at least once every 1-2 weeks lol