Peas and Thank You: Simple Meatless Meals the Whole Family Will Love

Former attorney turned mommy blogger Matheny's collection of over 85 meatless recipes manages to inform and irritate in equal measure, proving that what works in a blog doesn't always translate to the page. However, offering vegan-friendly dishes for all tastes and mealtimes gives the collection breadth and depth, particularly when dietary and ingredient restrictions are taken into account. While Matheny includes the expected recipes for smoothies, guacamole, African peanut stew, and tempeh chili, she also offers vegan-esque takes on French toast, Reuben sandwiches, lentil-based meatballs, homemade tortillas, Thai veggie burgers, and mango cupcakes with coconut cream icing. Even carnivores will want to try her flavorful Thai crunch salad, cashew carrot ginger soup, and Indian shepherd's pie. To get to these recipes though, readers must wade through a few too many shots of her daughters in dance costumes, long-winded stories only tangentially related to the dish, and references to Matheny's husband as "Pea Daddy." If readers can get past the cutesiness, they'll find practical, tasty vegan fare along with helpful nutritional information and clear directions. (July)