28th February 2016 - Sofia Hericson

The #FoylesFive this week comes from Sofia Hericson, our graphic design genius and adventurous vegan cook.

I had been a vegetarian for a while but after reading Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals I just couldn't bring myself to eat, wear or use any animal products any longer. So I became a vegan, started changing all of my beauty and health care products to cruelty-free and animal-free ones, my wardrobe filled up with cotton and synthetic material clothes and shoes, and my kitchen bookshelf started to fill up with amazing vegan cookery books. Whether you want to become vegan or have been for a while but want to expand your culinary repertoire this has never been easier with the array of vegan books out there. But to give you a good starting point here are 5 of my favourites.

Isa Does It by Isa Chandra Moskowitz

Who is it for: New vegans and busy vegans.

Why I love it so much: Bursting with colour, wonderful photos, illustrations and handwritten typography Isa Does It stands as the most awesome and user friendly book in my collection, with easy/quick and oh so yummy recipes, guides for pantry stocking, technique building and allergens swapping. Isa is, as I call her, the queen of flavour.

Favourite recipes: Island Black Bean Burger, Spinach and Black Bean Burrito Bowl, Strawberries and Cream Bread Pudding.

You might also like: Chickpea (quarterly magazine).

Protein Ninja by Terry Hope Romero

Who is it for: Vegans looking for protein rich meals, fitness and sport enthusiast vegans and athletic vegans.

Why I love it so much: Romero knows exactly where you get your protein from. If you want a little boost to help you on those workouts or your active lifestyle, she has prepared a panoply of wonderful plant-based protein rich recipes just for that. You won’t have to rely on protein shakes anymore. Prepare yourself to become a Protein Ninja!

Favourite recipes: Banana Buckwheat Breakfast Cookies, Green Goddess Burgers, Chickpea Pesto Tomato Toast.

You might also like: Salad Samurai by Terry Hope Romero.

The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon

Who is it for: Anyone looking for a good cleanse or just a natural wholesome diet.

Why I love it so much: If like me you suffer from digestive problems, Angela’s introduction will give something to relate to and with her delicious, incredibly easy to follow recipes you can be sure you are eating wholesome foods that will not only boost your immune system but also give your digestive system the lift me up it sometimes craves.

Favourite recipes: Ultimate Nutty Granola Clusters, Flu-Fighter Sunshine Smoothie, Crowd-Pleasing Tex-Mex Casserole.

You might also like: It's All Good by Gwyneth Paltrow (not all vegan but includes vegan meal plans).

Thug Kitchen Party Grub

Who is it for: Vegan party animals (whatever the party may be) and vegans on a budget.

Why I love it so much: As in Thug Kitchen the principle is: quit eating s*** food, get cooking with healthy ingredients and on a budget. Party Grub gives a helping hand to all the party animals out there (whether you party with 20 or on your own with Netflix for company). Foul-mouthed from beginning to end, this cookbook is as much fun to cook from as it is to read.

Favourite recipes: Breakfast Tempeh and Potato Taco Bar, Pad Thai Rolls, Tex-Mex Enchiladas.

You might also like: Ms Cupcake by Mellissa Morgan

Gluten-Free and Vegan Bread by Jennifer Katzinger

Who is if for: Anyone with gluten, dairy and egg allergies and gluten free vegans.

Why I love it so much: Finding gluten-free vegan products isn't very easy, in fact most loaves out there that are gluten-free have dried egg in them to work as a binder. This book has amazing recipes of different levels of complexity with a wonderful step-by-step guide on how to master all the processes involved in bread making.

Favourite recipes: Raspberry-Rooibos Tea Bread, Peach Ginger Bread, Country Batard.

You might also like: Gluten-Free and Vegan Pie and Gluten-Free and Vegan for the Whole Family, also both by Katzinger.

#FoylesFive