The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen: Meat-Free, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Dishes from the Healthiest Region Under the Sun:A Vegan Cookbook

I purchased this cookbook about five or six years ago here on Amazon, probably used and I'm finally getting around to writing a review.My copy is now literally falling apart, covered in notes, and soiled from ingredients. To say I love this cookbook is an understatement. I mean, this is that cookbook that I would choose if I could only have one, ever, for the rest of my life. I have made nearly every recipe in it and with the exception of a few that I could count on one hand that aren't bad, we just don't prefer, they are all EXCEPTIONAL. They are all incredibly flavorful, beautiful to the eyes and the palate, gourmet, restaurant quality recipes that are vary from beyond simple to more advanced for the weekend hobbyist cook to prepare.I should mention that my husband is not at all vegan, and I'm more of a 6 days a week vegan. Also, my husband absolutely refuses to eat any fake meat type products. None of these recipes ever even hint at the stuff. Additionally, we have committed pretty thoroughly to the Blue Zone style of eating, which this cookbook is absolutely perfect for if you are living that lifestyle. I promise, you will never miss the meat while eating these recipes. We just feel like we are eating out way across France, Italy, Greece, and Morocco. It's a gourmet vacation in my kitchen every night. And that is saying a lot for us. We live in Portland, Oregon, arguably one of the finest food meccas in the USA, and have also travelled extensively, making a point of eating at the finest most coveted restaurants in the world... and that has made us picky and snobbish about food on an epic scale.My favorite feature is the meal plans in the back of the book. Use them!!! Klein offers full menu plans, by season no less (!), for four people and then another set (!) for six. Recently, I have started using these meal plans (I got sick of making my own and remembered these in the back of the book). I have started making these complete meals for my hubby and I every night and eating the leftovers for lunch the next day. The appetizer course is always delicious and gives me something to tide my hubby over while I'm making the rest of dinner so he doesn't start binge eating while I'm cooking. The desserts are easy to prepare and delicious. My hubby has a serious sweet tooth and grand finales to dinner really appease him. Not only are our meals truly outstanding, but I'm saving a ton of money by eating these seasonal menus. As soon as I'm done with the menu plans for 4, I'm going to start making the meal plans for 6 and freeze the extras. And to think that I was going to start paying for one of those services that plans your meals for you! My holdback was always that their menus seemed pretty lackluster. Now I am getting everything I want. Why did I wait to long to start using them?!Some cookbook authors tell you they are classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and then you make their recipes and wonder if they actually showed up to class or have destroyed their palates with heavy smoking or just think so little of their consumers that they don't trust us to actually appreciate their taste. Klein has used her ample talent to collect real, authentic regional recipes that just happen to be vegan and walks you through preparing them so they taste like they are supposed to. I read the negative reviews left: no pictures...and? I'm frequently guilty of taking pictures of her finished recipes and rubbing my friends noses in it on Facebook. Just follow read through the recipe before you get started, do all your prep work, and cook. Can't use for heart healthy diet....use the wet fry method and omit the salt. I've done it with several of her recipes and although the olive oil really adds something (it does with any dish, we are human, we love fat), if you have that health issue you will still be pleased with her recipes.Not sure how much more of a glowing review I can give. I've lived with this cookbook for a long time and I'm now going to order another copy, only this time I'm going to take it over to a print shop and have them laminate it and spiral bind it. It will be worth every stinking cent. I also own her Tropical Vegan book and again, all excellent recipes. If you are really broke and are living on beans and rice, this book will make you forget you are on a budget. But this one is my favorite, hands down.Now Donna, Dear, can you please do me the immense favor of coming up with a French version? I know it's asking a lot, because you know, the French and butter and heavy cream, but if anyone can do it, I believe it's you. And if you want a volunteer for photos of all your recipes, I'm your girl.

Updated 14 Nov 2005This is simply a fantastic cookbook, vegan or not. In fact, I would even be willing to say that this is one of the best cookbooks I have ever owned, out of some 20+ thoroughly used and abused cookbooks, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian.There are three particularly exceptional things about this cookbook:First, it has a high percentage of great recipes. I've liked almost every receipe I've tried out of this book. No other cookbook I've ever owned has had recipes as consistently good as this one.Second, the author has gone to tremendous lengths to stay as close to authenticity as possible. All of her recipes are based on some regional variation of a traditional Mediterraean (or sometimes Middle Eastern) dish that, for reasons of economics or location, is mostly or entirely vegetarian. One of my favorite recipes in the book, the Quick Farmer's Paella, is based on an inland region variation of Spanish paella, which, because of its location in a fertile growing areas, just happens to incorporate primarily fresh vegetables instead of seafood. This adherence to authenticity is probably the reason that so many of her recipes are so good.Third, there are absolutely no soy products in this book whatsoever... none! I, personally, can't stand tofu and soy substitutes, and am always disappointed when I buy a new vegan or vegetarian cookbook and find that it's chock full of "tofu" this or "soy cheese" that. This book is a welcome relief from all of those cookbooks that try to "fill in the missing ingredient" with tofu products.My favorite recipes thus far are the Pumpkin Soup with Winter Pistou (incredible), the Quick Farmer's Paella (a fantastic recipe that's colorful, tasty, and easy to prepare), and the mouthwateringly delicious Roasted Eggplant Salad (also known as Baba Ganoush).My hat's off to Donna Klein for writing this wonderful book.

I have now completed over twenty recipes from this book and every one has worked perfectly and impressed several meat-eating friends. This is vegan cookery as it should be, based on natural fresh wholefoods with none of the meat, egg or dairy substitutes which make so many vegan recipes pale imitations. But it is also mediterranean cooking as it should be, displaying an abiding knowledge of how vegetables are used in the peasant dishes of dozens of local regions in Spain, Italy and the south of France. Each dish is based on classic mediterranean flavour combinations using only a limited number of herbs, flavourings and seasonings to complement the vegetables, pulses and grains being prepared. You'll know by now that there are no photographs, the measures are american cups and that the recipe steps are not numbered. However, there is more than enough detail in the description of the preparation to make the recipes straightforward if not always quick to prepare. While occasionally offering short-cuts, generally speaking, she expects you to prepare the food with care and with respect for the ingredients, although doing so is always worth it!

Mediterranean food - generally healthy. Vegan food - ditto. Loads of recipes in here that I wouldn't otherwise have thought of, and you really do get a very large book for your money. What's not to like? Some people may not like the lack of illustrations, but I judge by taste rather than looks, and no pretty picture can give you that. I think it's a book worth having on my shelf, and a very good read..

The lack of pictures makes it feel quite old fashioned and you have to really read it to find the recipes you want. That said everything I have made has been tasty and felt healthy

I have a large number of vegetarian and vegan cook books, and while it is useful to have vegan versions of classic recipes, such as chocolate cake or lasagne, for example, I don't like the idea of eating the same dishes I've always eaten, and just replacing the meat, dairy, or eggs, with vegan alternatives. Thats the beauty of a book like this. It collects all the fantastic Mediterranean recipes that are naturally vegan, and presents them as cuisine in their own right. As a consequence, the recipes are simple, delicious, and appealing to vegans and non-vegans alike. The ingredients are accessible for everyone, and the nutrition well rounded. Highly recommended!

I live the recipes in this book but feel it’s a little overpriced considering it has no photos in it. Also it arrived damaged so now have to decide if it’s worth the hassle of returning it and getting a replacement.