Just by looking at the title some of you might think that I wrote The Flexitarian Cookbook, but sadly I did not. Publishing my own cookbook one day, is still an aspiration at this stage.
The Flexitarian Cookbook is a plant-centric collection of modern recipes and comfort food classics compiled by Julia Charles. Each recipe can be adapted to suit vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians and flexitarians. In it, you will find recipes by seasoned cook authors and chefs such as Dunja Gulin, MasterChef winner Mat Follas, Vicky Jones, Jenny Lindford etc.. . All flexitarian options have been devised by Julia Charles.
Whether it is for environmental and/or health concerns, more and more people are embracing the flexitarian diet and looking to reduce their meat consumption. Some aiming to eat a more plant-based diet will also choose to also eat less fish and dairy.
After years of eating meat and other animal products, this lifestyle change might feel like a balancing act. Meatfree Monday is a popular first step, which is as far as you might be willing to go. This is how I started and once I realised that my diet did not have to be centred around meat, it became easier to forego animal products on other days of the week.
If you are still enjoying the occasional meal with meat, fish or dairy, or have to cook for different diets, The Flexitarian Cookbook is here to help with simple and appetising options for switching in meat or fish, as the mood takes you.
Clearly labelled, the bulk of the recipes in this cookbook are either vegetarian or vegan. A handful contain meat or fish. Each main recipe has been designed to be easily adaptable so you can substitute ingredients to make them with or without animal products.
For example the vegan Chickpea Socca Pancakes can be adapted either to be vegetarian with a topping of scrambled eggs and roasted tomatoes or pescatarian with a topping of smoked salmon and avocado. The Truffled Mushroom & Parma Ham Pizza can get a vegan makeover to become a Mushroom, Artichoke, Olive and Caper Pizza. There is also a warm vegetarian curried lentil salad with crispy paneer and spiced dressing but the paneer can be swapped for crispy prawns if you prefer.
The Flexitarian Cookbook is organised around the following sections:
- Breakfast & Brunch
- Snacks & Lighter Plates
- Salads & Sides
- Soups & Stews
- Pasta, Noodles & Rice
- Oven Bakes & Sheet Pans
To whet your appetite each dish is accompanied by a beautiful picture and clearly labelled with different dietary options. My only criticism is that the index is alphabetical where it could help to also have the main recipes referenced by dietary options.
Recipes are easy to follow and contain simple everyday ingredients. Whether you are tiptoeing into meat-free, are a seasoned flexitarian or simply have to cook for a family who follows different diets, The Flexitarian Cookbook is a great tool to have in the kitchen.
Embarking on a flexitarian journey is a conscious decision and the experience will be different for everyone. One thing is for sure, eating less meat will benefit the environment and your health. It is also a fantastic opportunity to make a difference to animal welfare. If and/or when you choose to eat animal products make sure to favour higher welfare sources such as organic, grass-fed or at the very least free-range.
I have 2 copies of The Flexitarian Cookbook up for grabs! Why not try your luck in the competition below
Notice: Thanks to Ryland Peters for offering two copies of this book. I was not paid to review this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
TO ENTER THIS COMPETITION SELECT AN ENTRY OPTION IN THE BOX BELOW
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This is fantastic. I am vegan, my mum is vegetarian and my sister and boyfriend are flexitarian but probably more vegetarian. My mum in particular really resisted being veggie but she did a lot of research and then made so many changes I am so proud of her.
Well done to your mum (and the rest of your family). It can be hard to change habits. Good luck on the competition!