The Weekday Vegetarians and Weeknight/Weekend

 

I received copies of these books from their publishers in exchange for honest reviews.

Title: The Weekday Vegetarians: 100 Recipes and a Real-Life Plan for Eating Less Meat
Author: Jenny Rosenstrach 
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Release Date: 8.31.21

Publisher’s Summary
Jenny Rosenstrach, creator of the beloved blog Dinner: A Love Story and Cup of Jo columnist, knew that she wanted to eat better for health reasons and for the planet but didn't want to miss the meat that she loves. But why does it have to be all or nothing? She figured that she could eat vegetarian during the week and save meaty splurges for the weekend. The Weekday Vegetarians shows readers how Jenny got her family on board with a weekday plant-based mentality and lays out a plan for home cooks to follow, one filled with brilliant and bold meat-free meals.

Curious cooks will find more than 100 recipes (organized by meal type) for comforting, family-friendly foods like Pizza Salad with White Beans, Cauliflower Cutlets with Ranch Dressing, and Squash and Black Bean Tacos. Jenny also offers key flavor hits that will make any tray of roasted vegetables or bowl of garlicky beans irresistible--great things to make and throw on your next meal, such as spiced Crispy Chickpeas (who needs croutons?), Pizza Dough Croutons (you need croutons!), and a sweet chile sauce that makes everything look good and taste amazing. The Weekday Vegetarians is loaded with practical tips, techniques, and food for thought, and Jenny is your sage guide to getting more meat-free meals into your weekly rotation.

My Review
I would love to eat less meat and my husband has said several times that he wishes he were a vegetarian. Our problems are breaking the mental habit of thinking that each meal must contain meat and making smart food choices if meat is eliminated from a meal, because vegetarian/vegan doesn't instantly equal healthy. Jenny Rosenstrach has compiled a collection of 100 simple and approachable recipes that have each passed the test with her family. I tested her recipes for "A Farrotto for All Seasons" and "Chickpea-Pasta Mac & Cheese" and I deemed them each to be a success. The steps were easy to follow, the results got thumbs up all around, and I was proud to introduce 2 new ingredients (farro and chickpea pasta) into my family's dinner repertoire.  




Title: Once Upon a Chef: Weeknight/Weekend: 70 Quick-Fix Weeknight Dinners + 30 Luscious Weekend Recipes
Author: Jennifer Segal
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Release Date: 9.14.21

Publisher’s Summary
Jennifer Segal, author of the blog and bestselling cookbook Once Upon a Chef, is known for her foolproof, updated spins on everyday classics. Meticulously tested and crafted with an eye toward both flavor and practicality, Jenn's recipes hone in on exactly what you feel like making.

Here she devotes whole chapters to fan favorites, from Marvelous Meatballs to Chicken Winners, and Breakfast for Dinner to Family Feasts. Whether you decide on sticky-sweet Barbecued Soy and Ginger Chicken Thighs; an enlightened and healthy-ish take on Turkey, Spinach & Cheese Meatballs; Chorizo-Style Burgers; or Brownie Pudding that comes together in under thirty minutes, Jenn has you covered.


My Review
Sometimes I love a cookbook for the pictures or the stories, but I'm not drawn to the recipes. That is not the case with Weeknight/Weekend. This is one of those cookbooks where I think I could cook every recipe. I started with the Sheet Pan Chicken and Pancetta Meatballs and (to my husband's delight) the Baked Ziti. Next up: Baked Salmon with Honey Mustard and Pecan-Panko Crust, Brownie Pudding, and Old-Fashioned Cinnamon Swirl Crumb Cake. I'll be interested to see how this crumb cake recipe stands up to my Best Damn Crumb Cake.