Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

When I got Veganomicon, I heard a lot of complaints about how complex it was. Being a cooking enthusiast, it was not a big deal. Isa Does It! resolves any 'complexity' issues. The recipes are easy, many can be done quickly, and "weirdo vegan ingredients" are kept to a minimum. If you can soak a cup of cashews, you got it made (and if you can't, well, then it's high time you did). It won't kill you to familiarize yourself with a slab of tofu, either. Anyway, within 1 week I probably logged 30 hours in the kitchen (yes, I am gainfully employed). *Yakisoba - quick, easy and a new go-to. Tastes great the next day, too! *Seitan & Broccoli with Pantry BBQ pulled together quickly and exceeded my taste bud expectations (I used packaged seitan, although I usually make my own). *Beet Bistro Burger: Nothing makes me happier than finding a new use for beets, and the Bistro Beet burger was not only tasty - but pretty. Yes - aesthetics count. *The Malai Kofta in Korma sauce is the last nail in the coffin for me in never going out to eat Indian again (and I used to 2-3x/week). Plus, she's considerate enough to ensure there is enough leftover sauce to slather on everything. *Finally, the Glam Chowder is worth the price of the book alone. Really. A word on Isa's baking prowess. With the exception that us highlanders living at altitude have to compensate the leavening, (143 million people on the planet live above sea level, but I digress), I can say unequivocally, that Isa's baking recipes give the most consistent end product of any recent vegan cookbook I've encountered. Banana marble loaf. Enuf said. From the 'retired' graphic designer perspective, the book is beautiful. It is on matte paper, great color theme, and the fonts are whimsical and easy to read! (I'm lookin' at you, Enchanted Broccoli Forest!) Plus, I love her new 'do~ UPDATE: 12/2/2014: A bit over a year later and the love affair continues. Must tries: * Mediterranean Overnight Scramble (my new breakfast go-to) * Pad Thai - (Like Isa - if not for complete nutritional breakdown, I could eat this every night) * Carrot Cake Pancakes (damn glad I'm not diabetic) * Sticky Chicky Stir Fry ( the vegan's answer to Orange Chicken...supress the urge to reach for a cigarette after eating this...) * Roasted Butternut Alfredo (can something really be this creamy & decadent tasting using only cashews & butternut squash?) * Curried Peanut Sauce Bowl ...and the list just keeps growing. It would be safe to say that this is my favorite all-around cookbook.