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5 Reasons “Isa Does It” Belongs in your Cookbook Library

5 Reasons “Isa Does It” Belongs in your Cookbook Library

When I decided to go vegan in January 2014, my large and well-loved collection of cookbooks suddenly felt foreign and unusable. What a strange sensation! Though I’d been working as a chef for years (and had briefly been vegetarian in college), exclusively vegan cooking and baking was a new frontier for me. And since I hadn’t yet developed the skills needed to veganize my favorite recipes, my non-vegan cookbooks sadly felt “off-limits”. I responded to new this challenge by rolling up my sleeves and experimenting in the kitchen every free moment I had, which greatly helped me to develop my skills as a vegan chef. But even though I was creating lots of delicious new recipes, I also really missed reading them! Cookbooks have long been a source of joy and inspiration for me, so going without them on my vegan journey simply wasn’t an option. I skimmed the shelves at my local bookstore, read reviews online, and asked my new vegan friends for suggestions. And guess what? The same title kept coming up again and again: “Isa Does It: Amazingly Easy, Wildly Delicious Vegan Recipes for Every Day of the Week” by vegan cookbook-writing legend, Isa Chandra Moskowitz. Intrigued, I picked up a copy, opened it up, and couldn’t put it down! I knew immediately that this book was something special, and I couldn’t wait to learn more about delicious vegan food through cooking my way through the mouthwatering recipes. And oh, was my kitchen a busy (and delicious) place! Though I own several hundred cookbooks (yes, really!), “Isa Does It” is one of my all-time favorites for so many reasons. Not quite convinced that you need yet another vegan cookbook for your collection? Here are 5 compelling reasons it deserves a place of pride on your bookshelf!

#1: The ingredients are easy to find.

If there’s a well-stocked grocery store nearby, you can easily find the ingredients to make these recipes! The most “unusual” ingredients called for in “Isa Does it” are nori, nutritional yeast, dried porcini mushrooms, and vital wheat gluten – all of them in stock at my local Stop & Shop. If you live in a more rural area and can’t find these ingredients, check online and buy in bulk: these ingredients keep for ages!

#2: The recipes are easy to understand (and actually work!).

Have you ever diligently followed a recipe, only to have the finished dish turn out in an unsatisfactory way? What a disappointing feeling! (And not to mention, a sad waste of good ingredients.) You won’t have to worry about that with “Isa Does It”! The 20+ recipes I’ve had the joy of making from this cookbook have turned out beautifully, and have been simple to follow, to boot.

#3: The writing style is chatty and friendly.

Following recipes from “Isa Does It” feels like hanging out in the kitchen with your coolest friend who also happens to be an amazing chef. Even if you’re new to cooking, Isa’s friendly, encouraging tone will inspire you to try fun new things in the kitchen.

#4: The photos are gorgeous.

Beautiful pictures in a cookbook aren’t a necessity for me, but when they’re this gorgeous, I stand up and take notice. Photographer Vanessa Rees outdid herself with the stunning photos on this book: check out her work here!

#5: The finished dishes taste incredible!

These dishes are so delicious, you’ll want to make them again and again – and serve them to your family, friends, and anyone else you can find who might appreciate a stellar (vegan) meal. Looking for a sneak peek and a place to start? You’ve gotta try Isa’s Nirvana Enchilada Casserole, Sunflower Mac, and Rosemary Chocolate Cookies. They make my heart sing! I hope this post has encouraged you to add “Isa Does It” to your library! And if you’re already a fan of this great book and want to share your favorite recipes, please let us know in the comments below!