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The Oh She Glows Cookbook – Review by Mindy Elmergreen

The marriage of meat free and dairy free isn’t always a comfortable one, but Angela Lidden made it a success in the New York Times Best Seller “The Oh She Glows Cookbook.” It’s just beautiful.

Lidden nailed it with this sequel to her immensely successful vegan blog, Oh She Glows. Gorgeous color photos compliment nearly every mouth-watering recipe. It’s packed with more than one hundred vegan recipes to get the glow from the inside out. With go-to breakfasts, protein-packed snacks, seasonal soups, hearty entrees and decadent desserts, there’s a recipe for every occasion and every craving.

Lidden’s passion for eating real food began as she journeyed to abort the starvation and binge eating roller coaster. She kicked her eating disorder to the curb and replaced processed low fat junk with fresh whole foods. The blog began as a project to stay on the vegan bandwagon, but it’s authenticity and consistently tasty recipes attracted an enormous audience almost overnight. A cookbook is a dream come true for both Lidden and her health seeking readers.

From kale chip connoisseurs to plant-based virgins, cooks of all levels will love this collection of accessible and vibrant recipes. Fresh ingredients, cleverly constructed flavors and whole foods are the mainstay of “The Oh She Glows Cookbook.”

In addition to a few vegan favorites like Creamy Vegetable Curry and Sweet Potato & Black Bean Enchiladas, Lidden explores culinary creativity with easy to find ingredients. The recipes are far from boring and many encompass flavors from across the globe. Think Orange-Maple Miso Noodle Bowl, Portobello “Steak” Fajitas, African Peanut Stew and Caesar Salad with Nutty Herb Croutons.

It’s one of those cookbooks you can always count on. How about a bowl of Eat Your Greens Detox Soup after a coworker sneezed on your keyboard? The Life Affirming Warm Nacho Dip is out of control. No one will know it’s free from dairy and oil. Bring on the Crowd Pleasing Tex Mex Casserole when your neighbor is throwing a potluck. The Glo Bars are the most delicious and economic snack for kids, athletes or anyone who likes (needs) to snack.

A cookbook would not be complete without desserts, unless of course, it’s a book about juice fasting. Lidden’s desserts are as healthy as they come – sweetened only with maple syrup, rice syrup, dates, coconut sugar or the occasional natural cane sugar. Double-Layer Chocolate Fudge Cake, anyone?

And if you’re not fan of grains or avoiding soy, have no fear. Each recipe is noted when it’s gluten-free, sugar-free, soy-free, nut-free, grain-free, and/or oil-free. There’s even a tip at the end of most recipes to add variety or to make it allergen free.

Whether you’re looking to incorporate some plant based meals into your diet or if you’re a die-hard vegan, “The Oh She Glows Cookbook” is truly a gem. The instructions are clear, Lidden’s connection to the reader is real and the recipes are delectable. Thank you, Angela, for sharing your top-secret recipes!

Review written by Taste Maker, Mindy Elmergreen

Mindy is a self-taught chef who has been researching, crafting and experimenting with vegan food since the late 90’s. From fermenting to spiralizing, Mindy has done it all. Her dream kitchen has sprouting shelves, a stainless steel dehydrator, a Norwalk Juicer and a fridge with four produce shelves. While baking isn’t her strongest suit, she sure can whip up a mean creamy vegetable korma. Mindy is a Bikram Yoga instructor who takes much pride in nourishing her husband and kale-eating toddler. She loves to inspire and teach others how to add some vegan meals to their life one avocado at a time.