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The Colorful Family Table: Seasonal Plant-Based Recipes for the Whole Family
Delight your family's palate with a rainbow of delicious, plant-based dishes!
Have an array of mouths to feed? Stubborn preteen, picky toddler, or a spouse skeptical of anything labeled “vegan”? The Colorful Family Table is here to help.
Certified health coach, plant-based food blogger and author of The Colorful Kitchen Ilene Godofsky returns with more than 90 all-new plant-based recipes perfect for your family’s table. Created from simple, familiar ingredients, Ilene’s recipes are reader-tested to please even the most finicky family members.
Inside, discover healthy, seasonal recipes, including:
Watermelon and Tofu Feta Salad Zucchini Corn Fritters with Basil Aioli Bacon, Kale & Apple Sammie Pumpkin-Stuffed Pumpkin Mac n Cheese Everything Bagel Pancakes & Spring Veggies with Hollandaise Sauce Blueberry Quinoa Cornbread Muffins Tempeh Tacos with Peach Salsa Ross's Rainbow Veggie KabobsWith easy-to-follow instructions (even for the kitchen novice!) and prep times designed for busy families, making meals as nutritious and delicious as they are eye-catching has never been easier. Make your family table a colorful family table, and spend more time enjoying the people who matter the most.
256 pages, Paperback
Published December 3, 2019
10 people are currently reading
3583 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 19, 2020
A beautiful plant-based cookbook full of recipes I’ve either made already and loved or want to try in the near future. I love the colorful ingredients Moreno uses, and I love how the edges of the book make a rainbow, too, just like with her last cookbook.
I was thrilled to receive a gifted copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I was thrilled to receive a gifted copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
March 31, 2020
Oh, loved this book. It is so useful to me right now. I needed some fresh ideas and recipes. BIG FAN here. I have now had time to try a number of recipes and all are approved by my family for taste and satiety. I am planning on picking up a copy of this one to keep on the bookshelf in the kitchen, as I am sure I will use it often.
It has been said by most every healthy cookbook/chef/author that I have read or followed; the more colorful plate the better...eat the rainbow! That is easy to do with these recipes. It is colorful and pretty too!
I highly recommend this book and am thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. Happy eating!
A quote to add. “I grew up in South Florida, where there are two seasons: hot and hotter. My family would happily sweat in the humidity outside, then keep the air conditioning pumping at full blast inside our house to cool us off. For us, the changing seasons had little to do with food and we’re instead marked by the school year starting or ending, or long breaks from school when it was slightly less hot outside and we got lots of presents.”
This is also true of my experience living in the Deep South, Mobile, AL.
The author adds...”I loved learning about different dietary theories from other parts of the world. I noticed a common thread throughout these diverse cultures – an emphasis on eating different foods at different times of the year and letting mother nature tell us what to eat and when to eat it. This made sense to me on so many different levels, from desires as obvious as our craving for cold smoothies in the summer to cool us down, from to needs as complex as our appetite for root vegetables to help us feel “grounded” in the fall. “
I can sure relate to those cold smoothies in hot months. We are having record breaking temps right now. It’s the end of March and it’s in the high 80’s. It feels like May already. I moved from hot comfort soups to smoothies overnight it seems.
I like the author and her approach. There are some beautiful pictures too. I love all the ones shared from her own kitchen. She’s adorable and so is her little red headed cutie sitting on the counter beside that gorgeous 🐦 birds egg blue mixer. I wish I had counter space for beautiful appliances. Sigh.
There is a recipe for Tempeh Bacon 🥓 which is one of the first vegan 🌱 comfort foods I learned to make. Right now you can’t beat a bacon, lettuce 🥬 and tomato 🍅 sandwich. No matter What season it is. 😍
Also a big hit here: French toast with cream and stewed apples. OH MY!
She also is a big advocate for keeping it local. I am too. She talks about batch cooking ( I learned that life saver a few years ago). Her baked tofu recipe is the best one I have tried. And the sautéed garlicy greens have been one of the biggest hits in this household.
A few others I really want to try. And now that we are all quarantined I might just have the time:
Mushroom and Tempeh White 🌶 Chili
Pumpkin Stuffed Mac and Cheese
Creamy Cinnamon Polenta Bowl
Apple Almond Cookies
Rocky Road Sweet Potato 🍠 Pie.
There is a really tasty smoothie recipe. You’d never know it had cauliflower in it!
I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did. It’s really pretty.
It has been said by most every healthy cookbook/chef/author that I have read or followed; the more colorful plate the better...eat the rainbow! That is easy to do with these recipes. It is colorful and pretty too!
I highly recommend this book and am thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. Happy eating!
A quote to add. “I grew up in South Florida, where there are two seasons: hot and hotter. My family would happily sweat in the humidity outside, then keep the air conditioning pumping at full blast inside our house to cool us off. For us, the changing seasons had little to do with food and we’re instead marked by the school year starting or ending, or long breaks from school when it was slightly less hot outside and we got lots of presents.”
This is also true of my experience living in the Deep South, Mobile, AL.
The author adds...”I loved learning about different dietary theories from other parts of the world. I noticed a common thread throughout these diverse cultures – an emphasis on eating different foods at different times of the year and letting mother nature tell us what to eat and when to eat it. This made sense to me on so many different levels, from desires as obvious as our craving for cold smoothies in the summer to cool us down, from to needs as complex as our appetite for root vegetables to help us feel “grounded” in the fall. “
I can sure relate to those cold smoothies in hot months. We are having record breaking temps right now. It’s the end of March and it’s in the high 80’s. It feels like May already. I moved from hot comfort soups to smoothies overnight it seems.
I like the author and her approach. There are some beautiful pictures too. I love all the ones shared from her own kitchen. She’s adorable and so is her little red headed cutie sitting on the counter beside that gorgeous 🐦 birds egg blue mixer. I wish I had counter space for beautiful appliances. Sigh.
There is a recipe for Tempeh Bacon 🥓 which is one of the first vegan 🌱 comfort foods I learned to make. Right now you can’t beat a bacon, lettuce 🥬 and tomato 🍅 sandwich. No matter What season it is. 😍
Also a big hit here: French toast with cream and stewed apples. OH MY!
She also is a big advocate for keeping it local. I am too. She talks about batch cooking ( I learned that life saver a few years ago). Her baked tofu recipe is the best one I have tried. And the sautéed garlicy greens have been one of the biggest hits in this household.
A few others I really want to try. And now that we are all quarantined I might just have the time:
Mushroom and Tempeh White 🌶 Chili
Pumpkin Stuffed Mac and Cheese
Creamy Cinnamon Polenta Bowl
Apple Almond Cookies
Rocky Road Sweet Potato 🍠 Pie.
There is a really tasty smoothie recipe. You’d never know it had cauliflower in it!
I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did. It’s really pretty.
February 8, 2020
I collect cookbooks. From a 100-year old cookbook for homemakers that seems to believe lard is a food group all on its own to a vegan gourmet extravaganza that intimidates me, I have a bit of everything. I won this family-friendly vegan cookbook in a Goodreads.com giveaway. When it arrived in my mailbox, it was a cold, wet, snowy day outside...so I sat wrapped up on my couch reading about lovely veggie goodness! mmmmm!
The Colorful Family Table is a collection of plant-based recipes to please both adults and finicky children. I no longer have young children at home, but I do have a teenager who thinks most vegetables come directly from satan. I think some of these recipes might change his mind about eating more vegetables and fruits! From wholesome baked apples to more daring fare like cauli-brocc tots (tater tots made with cauliflower and broccoli), I think he will like quite a few recipes in this book! My husband will absolutely love a lot of these dishes! (My husband is diabetic and currently on a dirty keto diet to help him regulate his blood sugar/A1C and his weight). Let me just name off a few: Balsalmic cabbage steaks, cheesy broccoli dumpling stew, stuffing hummus, smoky brussels chips, and meaty stuff zucchini boats....just to name a few!
The book is organized by the seasons, with sprinkles of helpful advice and ideas (like lunch box ideas, little recipes for extras like gravy, garlic sauteed greens, etc) here and there. All of the recipes have lovely full color photographs, and detailed ingredients listings and instructions.
This book could be useful to a vegan or vegetarian household....or for those who like to have an occasional meatless meal....and cooks who just want to add some pizzazz to their veggie dishes. The recipes are varied and all look really good! There are desserts, breakfast foods, lunches, dinners....all sorts of plant-based yumminess! The ingredients are simple.....most can be found at any grocery store. The few that might require a trip to a health food store are basic and not expensive. Nice mix of sweet and savory....and easy to prepare! Nothing intimidating or "weird'' ..... dishes that could easily be served to children, teens and picky adults without any eye rolling or exclamations about "Oh no....another weird vegan thing we have to try! Can we have a pizza delivered later?'' ha ha
This is the first cookbook by Ilene Godofsky Moreno that I have read. She's also published The Colorful Kitchen -- I definitely need to get a copy!
**I won a copy of this book from Goodreads.com. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
The Colorful Family Table is a collection of plant-based recipes to please both adults and finicky children. I no longer have young children at home, but I do have a teenager who thinks most vegetables come directly from satan. I think some of these recipes might change his mind about eating more vegetables and fruits! From wholesome baked apples to more daring fare like cauli-brocc tots (tater tots made with cauliflower and broccoli), I think he will like quite a few recipes in this book! My husband will absolutely love a lot of these dishes! (My husband is diabetic and currently on a dirty keto diet to help him regulate his blood sugar/A1C and his weight). Let me just name off a few: Balsalmic cabbage steaks, cheesy broccoli dumpling stew, stuffing hummus, smoky brussels chips, and meaty stuff zucchini boats....just to name a few!
The book is organized by the seasons, with sprinkles of helpful advice and ideas (like lunch box ideas, little recipes for extras like gravy, garlic sauteed greens, etc) here and there. All of the recipes have lovely full color photographs, and detailed ingredients listings and instructions.
This book could be useful to a vegan or vegetarian household....or for those who like to have an occasional meatless meal....and cooks who just want to add some pizzazz to their veggie dishes. The recipes are varied and all look really good! There are desserts, breakfast foods, lunches, dinners....all sorts of plant-based yumminess! The ingredients are simple.....most can be found at any grocery store. The few that might require a trip to a health food store are basic and not expensive. Nice mix of sweet and savory....and easy to prepare! Nothing intimidating or "weird'' ..... dishes that could easily be served to children, teens and picky adults without any eye rolling or exclamations about "Oh no....another weird vegan thing we have to try! Can we have a pizza delivered later?'' ha ha
This is the first cookbook by Ilene Godofsky Moreno that I have read. She's also published The Colorful Kitchen -- I definitely need to get a copy!
**I won a copy of this book from Goodreads.com. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
January 28, 2020
Gorgeous inspiring photos in this book (but note that the photo's recipes always have the full complement of 'extras') and lots of motivating talk about the health of the veggies and the value of choosing by season/what's naturally growing where and when in the year you are. This is pretty hardcore vegan/vegetarian and I'm not sure I could have made many of these fly when my kids were young (as one reviewer said--unless your kids were raised this way it might be hard to sell these recipes to them) but now the whole family is in. Some recipes were so enticing I wanted to try them right away (brussell sprout chips, stuffed figs) others (sandwiches) were less impressive. All told, a beautiful and motivating cookbook with some great advice. A solid addition to a cook's aresenal.
January 16, 2020
So much color and so many great photos - just what I want in a cookbook! Easy to follow, some unique and delicious recipes!
January 15, 2020
BenBella Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Colorful Family Table: Seasonal Plant-Based Recipes for the Whole Family. I was under no obligation to review this cookbook and my opinion is freely given.
There are more than 90 recipes in this cookbook for the whole family to enjoy. This is not just for vegans or vegetarians, but for anyone who desires a more healthy lifestyle. The benefits to a cookbook such as this one are endless, as the recipes contained within its pages are well balanced and healthy. I will say, however, that some of the ingredients are pretty heavy on the fat side, especially vegan items like cheeses. Readers who desire less fat in their diets can always experiment with substitutions or use the internet to figure out what else to use. The dishes are overwhelmingly colorful, which can entice picky eaters to try something new.
The Colorful Family Table is organized by season, which is clever and smart. Vegetables out of season can be difficult to get, as well as expensive, so it is nice to be able to flip to a part in the cookbook where fresh ingredients can be readily gotten. Among the standout recipes are such offerings as: Watermelon and Tofu Feta Salad; Butternut Squash and Apple Soup; No Bake Orange Chocolate Fudge; and Sweet Miso Tahini Macro Bowl. With the emphasis on plant-based dishes, this on trend cookbook is one that I would recommend to readers looking to add some healthy dishes to their menu planning.
There are more than 90 recipes in this cookbook for the whole family to enjoy. This is not just for vegans or vegetarians, but for anyone who desires a more healthy lifestyle. The benefits to a cookbook such as this one are endless, as the recipes contained within its pages are well balanced and healthy. I will say, however, that some of the ingredients are pretty heavy on the fat side, especially vegan items like cheeses. Readers who desire less fat in their diets can always experiment with substitutions or use the internet to figure out what else to use. The dishes are overwhelmingly colorful, which can entice picky eaters to try something new.
The Colorful Family Table is organized by season, which is clever and smart. Vegetables out of season can be difficult to get, as well as expensive, so it is nice to be able to flip to a part in the cookbook where fresh ingredients can be readily gotten. Among the standout recipes are such offerings as: Watermelon and Tofu Feta Salad; Butternut Squash and Apple Soup; No Bake Orange Chocolate Fudge; and Sweet Miso Tahini Macro Bowl. With the emphasis on plant-based dishes, this on trend cookbook is one that I would recommend to readers looking to add some healthy dishes to their menu planning.
February 23, 2020
I wanted to try out a few of these delicious recipes before reviewing this wonderful book! I did try a few recipes that I wouldn't consider my "normal" type of recipe I would eat, and was pleasantly surprised. Can we say really yummy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Bowl? I love pumpkin and pumpkin spice recipes all year around, so this was happiness in a bowl for me! Easy to make, easy to make your tummy happy too! The Loaded Cauliflower baked potato soup on a cold winter day was filling, healthy and full of love. There are so many more recipes I am looking forward to trying from this book. I love when someone has done all of the work by providing the recipes, all you need to do, is put them all together. Wonderful book! Thanks for allowing me to review a copy.
March 9, 2022
I am simply blown away by this vegan family friendly cookbook!
Ilene Godofsky Moreno created The Colorful Family Table cookbook for families that do or don't know how to go about eating plant based foods. She really shows you her own journey and how she got to be where she is now sharing her knowledge with the rest of us.
What I love most about her cookbook is the ingredients are very common and easy to find. Also, I am a mother of two and I've already started using some of her amazing recipes with them. They love it! Its expanding their food palette to horizons I didn't dream of before reading this.
I will always recommend this book to anybody!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this e-ARC.
Ilene Godofsky Moreno created The Colorful Family Table cookbook for families that do or don't know how to go about eating plant based foods. She really shows you her own journey and how she got to be where she is now sharing her knowledge with the rest of us.
What I love most about her cookbook is the ingredients are very common and easy to find. Also, I am a mother of two and I've already started using some of her amazing recipes with them. They love it! Its expanding their food palette to horizons I didn't dream of before reading this.
I will always recommend this book to anybody!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this e-ARC.
December 30, 2022
This plant-based cookbook is true to its name: it’s a colorful collection of recipes that are healthy for you, and not too intense to make, which I love! I’m particularly excited for the cheesy broccoli dumpling stew, the chickpea meatloaf burgers, ranch pasta salad, and the chickpea artichoke “crab” cakes. That’s not even mentioning dessert; I wish I would have seen the raspberry rhubarb crisp recipe last summer, but I’ll be prepared next time! Did I mention there’s a recipe for no-bake blueberry cheesecake bites, or blueberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting? There's definitely a tasty meal or treat in here for every reader!
January 27, 2021
I am impressed by the sheer variety of recipes this book boasts. I love the concept: seasonal, fresh, healthy ingredients to nourish the family. The pictures are beautiful and feel approachable at the same time. Some recipes seemed out the usual confort zone, but that's kind of the point, and there's enough variety that you will be able to find recipes that also fall within your usual parameters. A well designed and well-thought out book!
July 29, 2023
Seasonly plant based eating is the way I love to cook. I have 3 vegetarian children so we eat mostly plant based all the time here. The pumpkin pie smoothie bowl has become a favorite of mine. So yummy! This book was filled with beautiful pictures as well. The recipes were easy to follow and had ingredients that can be found at most grocery stores. I would recommend this cookbook if you would like to eat healthier and eat with the seasons.
March 4, 2020
Best cookbook ever!! My family wants to go vegetarian, and while I have a ton of recipes saved, I am always on the lookout for something new. At first glance, these really aren't recipes I'd be looking for, but every single one I've tried has been amazing. I might even buy this book, rather than just waiting in the library hold line again.
February 11, 2020
Some very exciting recipes to try put in here, very satisfied :)
February 20, 2020
This had book had a few different options on how to make vegan. I was looking at the snacks and backed goods so I can bring shareable food in to work and it had some easy and tasty options.
June 28, 2020
Found several recipes I'd like to try. The one I have tried was popular with my family.
March 20, 2022
The Colorful Family Table... vibrant collection of fresh, seasonally appropriate plant based recipes, sorted by available produce in certain times of the year. This will be a keeper to reference throughout the year! Creative recipes highlighing the color and nuttition of vegetables. Heavy focus on desserts, would prefer more lunch ideas.
January 15, 2020
This book is a godsend. I love how it is organized into seasons of the year. Recipes are listed when the majority of the food is most available, which for me is a huge help. One thing I find frustrating about other cookbooks is how you search for something only to find recipes where most of the ingredients are out of season for fresh fruits and veggies. No need to worry with that here, this method is PERFECT! I also love how most recipes are quick, simple, and do appear very appealing even for the more picky eaters. We have gotten away from unhealthy food as much as possible and this promises to be a way to do that in a way that will make meals fun, nutritious, and appealing. I love, love, love this book and greatly encourage everyone to get a copy and begin the journey to creating healthier, easy, and tasty meals!!
January 13, 2020
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you for sharing!
I'm a pretty traditional cook. This book makes for a relatively easy foray into plant-based cooking. I love that the book is divided into seasons, making it easier to find recipes with readily available ingredients. I also greatly appreciate easy to prepare dishes, and the majority of these appear to be such. We did try the "No-Bake Orange Chocolate Fudge" already, since I had those ingredients and we love most any orange/chocolate combination in our house; it was pretty amazing. My daughter is looking forward to trying many more recipes with her roommates.
I'm a pretty traditional cook. This book makes for a relatively easy foray into plant-based cooking. I love that the book is divided into seasons, making it easier to find recipes with readily available ingredients. I also greatly appreciate easy to prepare dishes, and the majority of these appear to be such. We did try the "No-Bake Orange Chocolate Fudge" already, since I had those ingredients and we love most any orange/chocolate combination in our house; it was pretty amazing. My daughter is looking forward to trying many more recipes with her roommates.
January 13, 2020
Simple, flavorful family recipes for plant-based eating.
This book is not only for vegans but for everyone who would like to eat healthier. The recipes are easy to make and consist of ingredients already in your home or easily accessible at the local grocer. My favorite is Rocky Road Sweet Potato Pie. I also loved the lunchbox section. The photographs are beautiful!
I received an ARC from BenBella Books through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.
This book is not only for vegans but for everyone who would like to eat healthier. The recipes are easy to make and consist of ingredients already in your home or easily accessible at the local grocer. My favorite is Rocky Road Sweet Potato Pie. I also loved the lunchbox section. The photographs are beautiful!
I received an ARC from BenBella Books through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.
October 23, 2019
I enjoyed the seasonal aspect of this plant-based cookbook, and loved the fact that a professional photo accompanied every recipe (other than the staples at the end). The author is likeable and chatty, and she gives a little blurb about each recipe.
As a mother of young kids, Moreno focuses on healthy but approachable foods that kids are likely to enjoy. That said, these are definitely better suited to young kids who have grown up eating this way or who are too young to know better. That "grilled cheese" with tofu and colorful sweet potatoes is going to look fantastic to a young vegan child who's never known different but is going to total disappoint some kid who's grown up on grilled cheese and suddenly gets them switched with this. That said, most of the recipes are really attractive and many are likely to be enjoyed by kids of all ages. Most of the recipes are adult-friendly too, and they're relatively simple to make.
The recipes are not designed gluten free and no substitutions are provided, though many are naturally GF. Moreno uses spelt flour (which contains gluten) and occasionally oat flour (which is technically GF if you buy certified GF but still causes harm to a great number of folks with Celiac and gluten intolerance) or chickpea flour for most flours. No nutritional information is provided.
Heads up to pumpkin spice lovers and haters... the whole fall menu is pretty much pumpkin spice and sweet potato (which is pretty similar to pumpkin). I happen to like those but if you don't, you may hate fall with her cookbook. :)
While I cook by the seasons, I cook mostly around what we grow in our garden and forage, meaning that her seasonal foods are different than mine. She's heavy on store-bought (or farmer's market bought) seasonal foods like figs and some of her seasons are off from mine because she relies on stores (for instance, she has pears in her winter menu when pears ripen on our trees in early fall). As an example of eating with the seasons here, spring in our house means we eat tons of wild asparagus, greens (especially nettles, which are utterly delicious and crazy healthy), ramps, morels, etc. I would not expect a mainstream cookbook to feature wild foods, but it's less useful for those of us who work to produce much of our own foods.
All things considered, this is a great cookbook, though. I bookmarked a ton of recipes to try (I'll update this review as I do that) and I was pleased to note that a great many of them feature ingredients I already have in my cupboard. I love that she provides recipes for basic vegan staples at the end too, such as coconut whipped cream, bacon tempeh, pumpkin pie spice and cashew sour cream.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
As a mother of young kids, Moreno focuses on healthy but approachable foods that kids are likely to enjoy. That said, these are definitely better suited to young kids who have grown up eating this way or who are too young to know better. That "grilled cheese" with tofu and colorful sweet potatoes is going to look fantastic to a young vegan child who's never known different but is going to total disappoint some kid who's grown up on grilled cheese and suddenly gets them switched with this. That said, most of the recipes are really attractive and many are likely to be enjoyed by kids of all ages. Most of the recipes are adult-friendly too, and they're relatively simple to make.
The recipes are not designed gluten free and no substitutions are provided, though many are naturally GF. Moreno uses spelt flour (which contains gluten) and occasionally oat flour (which is technically GF if you buy certified GF but still causes harm to a great number of folks with Celiac and gluten intolerance) or chickpea flour for most flours. No nutritional information is provided.
Heads up to pumpkin spice lovers and haters... the whole fall menu is pretty much pumpkin spice and sweet potato (which is pretty similar to pumpkin). I happen to like those but if you don't, you may hate fall with her cookbook. :)
While I cook by the seasons, I cook mostly around what we grow in our garden and forage, meaning that her seasonal foods are different than mine. She's heavy on store-bought (or farmer's market bought) seasonal foods like figs and some of her seasons are off from mine because she relies on stores (for instance, she has pears in her winter menu when pears ripen on our trees in early fall). As an example of eating with the seasons here, spring in our house means we eat tons of wild asparagus, greens (especially nettles, which are utterly delicious and crazy healthy), ramps, morels, etc. I would not expect a mainstream cookbook to feature wild foods, but it's less useful for those of us who work to produce much of our own foods.
All things considered, this is a great cookbook, though. I bookmarked a ton of recipes to try (I'll update this review as I do that) and I was pleased to note that a great many of them feature ingredients I already have in my cupboard. I love that she provides recipes for basic vegan staples at the end too, such as coconut whipped cream, bacon tempeh, pumpkin pie spice and cashew sour cream.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
January 15, 2020
Not particular new material.
November 17, 2019
Originally published on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Colorful Family Table is a cookbook and plant-based tutorial with family friendly (and colorful) recipes by Ilene Godofsky Moreno. Due out 3rd Dec 2019 from BenBella books, it's 256 pages and will be available in ebook and paperback formats.
These recipes are arranged around (mostly) locally available seasonal ingredients. As such, with variations in growing and crop maturation differences, some adjustments for locally available produce will probably need to be made.
The recipes are arranged by seasons. Fall is full of pumpkin, winter relies more on stored root vegetables with occasional splashes of color and flavor from fresh oranges and pears, spring is full of exuberant artichoke, beet, spring alliums (garlic and onions), artichokes, and rhubarb, and summer is full of an abundance of everything from blueberries to zucchini.
The author's writing style is chatty and informal and I really enjoyed all the beautiful recipe and lifestyle photographs (many of which were apparently taken by the author herself). Each recipe includes servings, special preparation notes, and prep times. Recipe ingredients are listed bullet point style along with optional ingredients. All measurements are given in American standard measures only. The directions are given step by step, numbered sequentially. The recipes do not include nutritional information.
The recipes' ingredients are easily sourced and the resultant dishes are family friendly and appealing to kids and adults.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Colorful Family Table is a cookbook and plant-based tutorial with family friendly (and colorful) recipes by Ilene Godofsky Moreno. Due out 3rd Dec 2019 from BenBella books, it's 256 pages and will be available in ebook and paperback formats.
These recipes are arranged around (mostly) locally available seasonal ingredients. As such, with variations in growing and crop maturation differences, some adjustments for locally available produce will probably need to be made.
The recipes are arranged by seasons. Fall is full of pumpkin, winter relies more on stored root vegetables with occasional splashes of color and flavor from fresh oranges and pears, spring is full of exuberant artichoke, beet, spring alliums (garlic and onions), artichokes, and rhubarb, and summer is full of an abundance of everything from blueberries to zucchini.
The author's writing style is chatty and informal and I really enjoyed all the beautiful recipe and lifestyle photographs (many of which were apparently taken by the author herself). Each recipe includes servings, special preparation notes, and prep times. Recipe ingredients are listed bullet point style along with optional ingredients. All measurements are given in American standard measures only. The directions are given step by step, numbered sequentially. The recipes do not include nutritional information.
The recipes' ingredients are easily sourced and the resultant dishes are family friendly and appealing to kids and adults.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
January 1, 2020
I am so excited about this cookbook! It has seasonal recipes built around seasonal fruits and vegetables. I have already tried a couple of the recipes and they were delicious. I even got my kids to try something new. This is a vegan cookbook, but it's easy to convert the recipes to just vegetarian if you don't have ingredients like nondairy milk at home.
November 24, 2019
I really liked this cookbook. I liked it enough that I ordered her cookbook The Colorful Kitchen.
I tried a variety of her recipes and was pleased.
1. Ingredients: Many of her recipes have a lot of ingredients, but she almost never includes anything that would not be in a well stocked vegan pantry or fridge. Basic grains, beans, nuts, fruits, and veggies are included in the recipes. Most of the time, I have the ingredients.
2. Ease of preparation. Really easy. A few minutes of prep time, and I am ready to go.
3. Ability to downsize for smaller families: Very easy. I am a single senior, and found that I could easily cutback the recipes for a couple of meals.I
4. Family friendly: My grandchildren certainly enjoyed the recipes from this cookbook.
5. Clean up: A pot, pan, cutting board, and a couple of knives. I have made some recipes from other cookbooks, and it was like a tornado hit my kitchen. In this cookbook, the preparation of the recipes didn't make much of a mess. Which I greatly appreciated.
6. How fast could I make a meal: Rice in the the rice cooker, chop the veggies, open a can of beans, and I could start cooking. Most of the time, I was 20-30 minutes from start to finish.
This was very thoughtful cookbook. The author produced a cookbook that is simple, easy to use, and filled with recipes that families would actually cook for dinner.
I tried a variety of her recipes and was pleased.
1. Ingredients: Many of her recipes have a lot of ingredients, but she almost never includes anything that would not be in a well stocked vegan pantry or fridge. Basic grains, beans, nuts, fruits, and veggies are included in the recipes. Most of the time, I have the ingredients.
2. Ease of preparation. Really easy. A few minutes of prep time, and I am ready to go.
3. Ability to downsize for smaller families: Very easy. I am a single senior, and found that I could easily cutback the recipes for a couple of meals.I
4. Family friendly: My grandchildren certainly enjoyed the recipes from this cookbook.
5. Clean up: A pot, pan, cutting board, and a couple of knives. I have made some recipes from other cookbooks, and it was like a tornado hit my kitchen. In this cookbook, the preparation of the recipes didn't make much of a mess. Which I greatly appreciated.
6. How fast could I make a meal: Rice in the the rice cooker, chop the veggies, open a can of beans, and I could start cooking. Most of the time, I was 20-30 minutes from start to finish.
This was very thoughtful cookbook. The author produced a cookbook that is simple, easy to use, and filled with recipes that families would actually cook for dinner.
October 27, 2019
Wow, I was so impressed with this cook book! I found it really easy to follow and loved the bright, vibrant food photographs. The ingredients used were readily available and easy to get hold of – which is often a problem with some recipe books I find, which include a variety of weird and wonderful ingredients.. I found the recipes were also really family friendly which was great to see. I found quite a few I know the boys will enjoy.
One of the other great features for me was the seasonal element. Due to the recipes relying on a lot of vegetables, the author talked about the importance of seasonal cooking which is something I try and follow. I definitely find when you cook with things that are in season, they often taste so much better!
My biggest takeaway from macrobiotics, Ayurveda, ancient Chinese medicine and other dietary approaches was that nature provides the food that our bodies need to thrive each season, and that’s awesome!
Ilene Godofsky Moreno
Whether you are a vegetarian or vegan, or you are just interested in some plant based recipes and increasing your repertoire, I would definitely recommend this one.
One of the other great features for me was the seasonal element. Due to the recipes relying on a lot of vegetables, the author talked about the importance of seasonal cooking which is something I try and follow. I definitely find when you cook with things that are in season, they often taste so much better!
My biggest takeaway from macrobiotics, Ayurveda, ancient Chinese medicine and other dietary approaches was that nature provides the food that our bodies need to thrive each season, and that’s awesome!
Ilene Godofsky Moreno
Whether you are a vegetarian or vegan, or you are just interested in some plant based recipes and increasing your repertoire, I would definitely recommend this one.
October 9, 2019
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
Moreno’s life has a lot to do with food as she is a health coach, recipe developer, food blogger, and food photographer. In this cookbook, she shares her ideas for healthy eating with each recipe -- recipes that are beautifully illustrated with her own photographs in such a way to make you race into the kitchen to try them yourself.
I like balance in my diet, and I often eat a little of everything. Moreno’s recipes are vegan friendly, and I have no doubt that they are delicious as is. However, they would also be easy to substitute non-vegan products into, should you feel the need. Writing-wise, I felt that Moreno became repetitive in her assurances that following the recipe would result in edible food every time a surprising ingredient was included. Recipe-wise, this book is filled with amazing things I can’t wait to try.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Moreno’s life has a lot to do with food as she is a health coach, recipe developer, food blogger, and food photographer. In this cookbook, she shares her ideas for healthy eating with each recipe -- recipes that are beautifully illustrated with her own photographs in such a way to make you race into the kitchen to try them yourself.
I like balance in my diet, and I often eat a little of everything. Moreno’s recipes are vegan friendly, and I have no doubt that they are delicious as is. However, they would also be easy to substitute non-vegan products into, should you feel the need. Writing-wise, I felt that Moreno became repetitive in her assurances that following the recipe would result in edible food every time a surprising ingredient was included. Recipe-wise, this book is filled with amazing things I can’t wait to try.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
October 10, 2019
Blogger and healthy eating guru Ilene Godofsky Moreno returns with her new book The Colorful Family Table. This cookbook is full of healthy vegetarian/plant-based recipes for the whole family. She has some good options that will appeal to the young and old palates in the family. Since she is catering to a younger demographic the ingredients and spices are very basic. She says that she has left the recipes a lot more kid friendly when it comes to flavors and spices but I wish the recipes had included some alternative options that are more adult friendly since everything was flavored with salt, pepper and garlic. There is a few recipes that I am excited to try but it is very carb heavy and lacks a lot of flavoring.
December 3, 2019
Happy pub day to this cookbook!
If anyone knows me, they know I hate vegetables. That being said - I know I need to start liking more vegetables. This book is the way to it!!
This book is organized by season and which recipes are great for that season. I love the classic recipes with a new take on them (like cauli-broc tater tots!)
I made the smoky Brussels chips (and I HATE Brussels sprouts) and they were delicious. The author claimed that she had her picky toddler chanting "more Brussels!" & so was I.
I also made the roasted garlic pesto and now I will be putting that on absolutely everything.
Overall, this book has simple to follow instructions, beautiful pictures, and is helping opening my palette (lol good luck). Can't wait to eat my way through this cookbook!
If anyone knows me, they know I hate vegetables. That being said - I know I need to start liking more vegetables. This book is the way to it!!
This book is organized by season and which recipes are great for that season. I love the classic recipes with a new take on them (like cauli-broc tater tots!)
I made the smoky Brussels chips (and I HATE Brussels sprouts) and they were delicious. The author claimed that she had her picky toddler chanting "more Brussels!" & so was I.
I also made the roasted garlic pesto and now I will be putting that on absolutely everything.
Overall, this book has simple to follow instructions, beautiful pictures, and is helping opening my palette (lol good luck). Can't wait to eat my way through this cookbook!
December 17, 2019
Loved her Colorful Kitchen book, so I had to take a look at this one when it was offered. I have to say up front, I am not a vegetarian or vegan, I like meat. But I also love vegetables ! And this book is loaded with tasty recipes! I can't wait to see a hard copy of this book as I want to see the photos in color. I think many of these recipes will find their way onto my table! Cabbage Steak sounds unique and tasty (We love cabbage at my house), The Baked Pears sound perfect for late summer and early fall desserts. I liked that Ilene Moreno included freezing instructions for her recipes. I love cooking ahead for the winter! This book will make a fine addition to my recipe book collection.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
Want to read
November 27, 2019I loved reading The Colorful Family Table! Everyone, no matter their tastes or cooking style, will find lots of great recipes and advice within the book. I truly found it hard to quit reading despite having to go to sleep! The book's recipes are sorted out by seasons which is excellent in helping identify fresh in-season meal ingredients! The introduction section is a must-read providing a large amount of knowledge! The recipe photos are vivid and the recipes are perfectly explained! The Colorful Family Table will be a cookbook used often and passed down generation to generation! Thank you for such a phenomenal cookbook!! Terrific job!!
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