Cookbooks

This is a collection of the 120 most popular recipes from the first two years of posts to my Valley Vegetarian blog. There’s nothing fancy here, just plain good home style cooking that appeals to everyone without regard to specific diet. The recipes tend toward comfort food with a taste of Ojai. Many have been published in the Ojai Valley News under the header Chef Randy.All recipes are vegetarian, of course, but what omnivore doesn’t like a good side dish of Idaho Potatoes, a hearty main dish of Nutty Meatloaf or Vegetarian Meatballs?Although all of these recipes are healthy, I find the term healthy to be subjective. Instead of focusing on nutrition I focus on fresh, fun and tasty recipes leaving the determination of relative health to you. With a little imagination many of the recipes can be modified to meet your specific needs.The Baked Potato Soup, for example, calls for whole milk but it can be made with 1% milk and still be good. Not as tasty as if made with whole milk but still good and healthy. If you are vegan, substitute olive oil for butter in the Guinness Potato Salad, use vegan egg substitute in the Spicy Apple Cake and leave the bleu cheese out of the California Dreamin’ Burger.So what is different in this second edition? There is a new cover with a color photo of one my most requested recipes, Egg and Gruyère Strata. Look for it as bonus recipe number 121. In addition to a new cover, food photos have been added to each chapter page.

There is nothing better than fresh, home-cooked food. The recipes in this book were created with this in mind. This doesn’t mean my recipes are mundane. They are, in fact, far from it. Look for my Lasagna Azteca or my Grilled Avocados to see what I mean. Who says vegetarian food has to be ordinary?

If you are looking for tasty, nutritious and creative recipes that support a vegan lifestyle, then this is the book for you. These recipes aren’t fancy. They were created to appeal to all without regard to specific diet. If you are not vegan that’s OK. This book is for you too! Who would not enjoy my Fresh Gaucamole, Harissa-Spiced Potatoes with Lemon or How to Grill The Perfect Artichoke recipes?These recipes are not only satisfying but also fun and easy to prepare. They feature fresh, home-style cooking with a trend toward comfort food. They will put a smile on your face and make your stomach content.Although all of these recipes are healthy, I find the term healthy to be subjective. I focus on fresh and fun recipes leaving the determination of relative health to you. A word about buying organic. I believe in organic and buy it as often as possible. In the Ojai Valley we have access to an abundance of healthy, nutritious and unmodified fruit, produce, nuts and grains. If you can’t find or can’t afford organic it’s OK to use non-organic ingredients. The recipes work well either way.Here’s a bonus: 63 of the 113 vegan recipes are also gluten-free. See the gluten-free recipe index at the end of the book. May you eat well, eat local and eat fresh!

Are you new to gluten-free cooking and looking for a cookbook with gluten-free recipes? If yes, then this book of 100% gluten-free and nutritious recipes is for you. The vast majority of the recipes in this book are simple and easy to prepare. The balance are simple enough but may take longer because of bake times. All of the 87 recipes in this book are gluten-free and vegetarian. In addition, 45 of the total recipes are also vegan and are denoted as so in the table of contents.

Are you looking for a cookbook that features easy-to-make meals that can be either refrigerated for the next day or frozen for use later in the week? If yes, then this book is for you. The recipes are divided into two categories: freezer recipes and refrigerator recipes. What’s the difference? The freezer recipes hold up well for many weeks in the freezer. By this, I mean the texture holds up well after unthawing and reheating. The refrigerator recipes do not hold up as well. These are best to make-ahead, refrigerate, and serve the next day. The 52 recipes in this book are 100% vegetarian. In addition, 15 of the recipes are also vegan and are denoted as such in the table of contents. All recipes are my own creation and/or adaptions from other recipes I have admired and served over the last 40 years.