With more than 8 million vegetarians in the United States and even more of the population describing themselves as vegetarian-inclined, the necessity for meat-free cookbooks is on the rise. However, simply leaving the meat out of dishes is no longer enough for some conscientious consumers. Veganism, defined as avoiding all animal products, including dairy, eggs, honey, and meat, is also gaining in popularity. Even those who are not vegetarian or vegan may eat vegetarian one or two days per week. These people do so because of the health benefits provided by eating more nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, instead of cholesterol- and fat-heavy meats and cheese. Many households must now accommodate meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans alike. All of today's diet options mean the home cook needs to be flexible, and recipes must be adaptable. The recipes in this cookbook provide vegan ingredient alternatives. Certain brands are suggested, to achieve specific consistencies and results, but can be replaced with other similar ingredients.
Also on the rise today is the consumption of fast food and restaurant-prepared meals, which can contain more fat, salt, and sugar than home-made meals. Many families do not think they have the time to prepare nutritious meals at home, but with the use of a pressure cooker, your next healthy meal may only be minutes away. This lesser-known appliance is making a comeback in kitchens across the country because it cooks ingredients in a fraction of the time a stovetop or oven would, and it helps retain key nutrients.
Pressure cookers date back to the 1600s, when the first was invented by Frenchman Denis Papin. Pressure cookers work by allowing water to boil under pressure at higher temperatures than the normal 212°F, and locking the steam produced from the liquid in an airtight container. The hotter water and resultant steam cook foods faster. It was not until the 1940s post — World War II era that pressure cookers became popular in the United States because of their convenience — but along with the boom came the horror stories of pressure cooker accidents. The modern pressure cooker has safety mechanisms in place to prevent the seemingly common accidents that once plagued pressure cookers, and users need not be worried.
Just because you might be looking for healthy vegetarian or vegan recipes that can be prepared quickly does not mean you have to sacrifice flavor or variety. The Everything® Vegetarian Pressure Cooker Cookbook is full of easily adaptable recipes that suit a variety of tastes. Many of the cookbook's 300 recipes, which feature global cuisine such as Mexican, Thai, Indian, Middle Eastern, and African, are naturally vegan, and for those that are not there are tips for easily making the recipe vegan. Many of the recipes will turn out well even if you don't have all of the ingredients on hand. If you only have dried basil on hand for the pasta dish that calls for oregano, no problem! The recipes in this book are flexible, so have fun with them.
Each chapter, from appetizers and sauces to entrées and desserts, begins with the basics, and then moves into more complex variations within that category. Most chapters end with a variety of ethnic recipes and mouthwatering regional American dishes. Whether the recipe is simple, or exotic and complex, the flavors are full-bodied and will not leave you missing the meat.