The Tipsy Vegan by John Schlimm

Okay, what a way to start out the year: vegan recipes that “turn every bite into happy hour”. The Tipsy Vegan (De Capo Press, 2011, ISBN 9780738215075) is small, square, and the perfect size to pack in a tote bag when shopping for the dinner party, as well as for keeping in the kitchen for everyday dinner inspiration. Fun read, with 75 different recipes using ingredients that are easy to find. Written by John Schlimm, who is the author of upcoming Grilling Vegan Style (2012), and The Ultimate Beer Lover’s Cookbook (2008).

While the recipes would be perfect party fare for any happy hour or get-together, they also inspire good eating any time of the year. The recipes include all menu items, but each have something unifying them: each one contains some sort of liquor, liqueur, or cocktail ingredient. This unique alcohol approach to recipes gives anyone an opportunity to test great tasting and completely vegan food in a fun way

The Tipsy Vegan Chapters and Overview

The book’s chapters are divided my menu item: Plastered Party Starters; Boozy Soups; Staggering Salads; The Guzzler’s Garden of Side Dishes; Brunch Buzz, The Lush’s Lunch; Sloshed Suppers; and Drunken Desserts. The Afterword includes two bits of advice given to the author by his Grandma and Great Aunt: laughter is found in every situation, and always part ways with friends after a celebration with one last drink. His one last drink with his readers is the recipe for The Laughing Stinger.

This cookbook is a fun read, and not only for reading all the recipes and learning how Schlimm incorporated an alcohol into each one. The names for some recipes are memorable. Bad-Ass Beer Cake, Three Tomatoes to the Wind Flan, and Angel Hair Pasta Knocks a Few Back with Devilish Pine Nuts & Lemon are just a few. And I have to say is anyone thinking vegan food is boring and something that cannot whet an appetite hasn’t tried the recipes in the book. Any of them can be served to convert a meat-eater. The Balmy Bell Peppers with Golden Raisins and Arugula is a new favorite dish.

• The Tipsy Vegan: 75 Boozy Recipes to Turn Every Bite Into Happy Hour by John Schlimm
• De Capo Press; 2011
• ISBN13: 9780738215075
• Softcover; full color, 164 pages

The Tipsy Vegan: 75 Boozy Recipes to Turn Every Bite into Happy Houris also available from Amazon.

Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher and any opinions are my own.