Hi there,

This month’s Cooking Confidential review is oh she glows for dinner. This is an entirely plant-based, vegan cookbook. As such, it is a good follow-up to The Moosewood Cookbook. I chose the baked bean recipe because I make my own much-loved vegetarian baked beans. I wanted to see how my version’s flavors stacked against Angela Liddon.

I chose this recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, with simple ingredients that can be found at any grocery store. I appreciated that it didn’t require hard-to-find vegan substitutes or specialty items. The recipe also includes the option to make it in a slow cooker or on the stove, which is a nice touch for those who prefer one method over the other.

The resulting dish was rich, savory, and had a great balance of flavors. The combination of maple syrup, molasses, and apple cider vinegar added a depth of sweetness and tanginess that complemented the paprika’s smokiness and the beans’ earthiness. I also appreciated that the recipe included fresh greens, giving the dish more flavor and making it more of a main dish than a side.

Cookbook Image

My Baked Beans

Many of the ingredients in this recipe are very similar to my recipe. I add tang to my beans using horseradish, honey, and brown sugar instead of molasses and ketchup instead of tomato paste. I don’t care for the taste of liquid smoke, so that would not be an addition I would use. I would continue to use several varieties of beans. But, I would adopt using greens and dates the next time I make my recipe.

I would like to recommend this cookbook, but I found it very difficult to use. It is filled with lots of instructions and suggestions but does not have a smooth flow. I would not make room for this book on my cookbook shelf.