Do you remember a few years ago when the last Harry Potter book was about to hit shelves? Lines of people dressed in cloaks were filling the blocks around bookstores and street parties broke out at midnight when the thick tomes full of exciting discoveries were securely held in the grips of enthusiastic fans.
I didn’t line up for Rowling’s release. I enjoyed the series but my favourite authors tend to toil over steaming pots of grains rather than cauldron concoctions, but I can relate to the masses who anxiously anticipate the adventures a great new release affords. When an author I adore is working on a new cookbook I can’t wait to discover the creative new dishes they will inspire me to conjure.

This kind of affection is saved for those kindred connections when a cookbook authors has developed the dishes that have found a way to infiltrate the sensory memory of my life. Dreena Burton created the pancakes I fell in love over on Sunday mornings, the nut dip that brought me fame in Toronto’s potluck culture, and the cookies that made me feel like being vegan would never again taste like a sacrifice.

Although Dreena has already shared so many spectacular recipes through the pages of The Everyday Vegan, Vive le Vegan and Eat, Drink & Be Vegan, when I heard she was once again in testing mode I was ecstatic. I should have been content to remake all of her classics, sipping lemony chickpea soup on the porch with my friends throughout my golden years – but no…I demanded more of Dreena’s delights.

The arrival of Let Them Eat Vegan, sparked a shopping trip and a post-it note party. I was marking up all the recipes I wanted to try but when that started to feel futile (marking every page is pointless, Lisa), I decided to prioritize.

Dreena offers me a challenge that few authors rival. She celebrates whole food ingredients. Instead of searching through the pages for a healthful dish to test, every recipe she offers is packed with nourishing nutrients and pleasure for the palate. Let Them Eat Vegan contains 200 recipes designed with feeding a family in mind. Which means, not only will the flavours delight eaters with sensitive or mature palates – but it is the kind of food you want to feed the people you love.

Let me give you some examples:

Steel-Cut Oats in an Instant! A spectacular answer to hectic mornings when you need a satisfying start.

Kale-slaw with Curried Almond Dressing If you haven’t yet pledged your devotion to this leafy green goddess this is the dish to try. You will finally discover what all the fuss is about.

Warmly Spiced Quinoa Chickpea Stew with Figs Can you think of anything more comforting during a summer storm than a spicy bowl of chickpeas, quinoa and figs?

DJ’s Hummus Salad Dressing spread over steamed kale. Dreena understands the importance of creamy, sauces in the vegan diet. We’re willing to live joyfully on plants – just give us a delicious dressing and we’re all smiles and sunshine. Thank you Dreena – you always deliver the goods

Finally, desserts. If you haven’t yet discovered the prowess of Dreena Burton to create the most spectacular sweets then please add this to your bucket list. These Raw Chia Bars with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting could satisfyingly serve as my last meal. Simply heavenly.

This just a glimpse into the goodness that Let Them Eat Vegan offers. You will simply have to pick up a copy and begin your own delicious affair with the brilliant Dreena Burton. I wish you and yours many memorable meals of oven-sweetened beets with sage, pumpkin chickpea cauliflower curry, and a scoop of chai peanut butter ice cream.

We’re all so lucky that Dreena has decided to share her magic with the world. You can try out her recipes and stay on top of her kitchen adventures on her blog. If you get over there quickly you might even win a copy of Let Them Eat Vegan!