cover image The Healthy Hedonist Holidays: A Year of Multi-Cultural, Vegan-Friendly Holiday Feasts

The Healthy Hedonist Holidays: A Year of Multi-Cultural, Vegan-Friendly Holiday Feasts

Myra Kornfeld, . . Simon & Schuster, $19.95 (274pp) ISBN 978-0-7432-8725-8

Kornfeld (The Voluptuous Vegan ) focuses on holidays reflecting America's multicultural society. For each celebration Kornfeld offers a vegetarian entree, a fish or poultry dish, numerous sides and dessert, all designed “to leave us feeling energetic and nourished after the meal as well as delighted during the experience.” The Hanukkah menu turns traditional potato pancakes into light, full-flavored Celery Root–Apple Latkes with Sage. For Kwanzaa, Ethiopian cuisine contributes the spicy warmth of Doro We't (Chicken Stew). Chinese New Year features Sesame Noodles with Wilted Napa Cabbage, with long noodles to bring long life. Dessert for a sumptuous Valentine's Day is Fallen Lemon Ricotta Soufflés, and for a Greek inspired Easter, Baklava Cups with Almond-Vanilla Tapioca Pudding and Strawberry Rhubarb Compote. Kornfeld's directions are easy to follow, and her multiday time lines for each holiday feast help to create a more relaxed experience in the kitchen. These unique and inspiring recipes make it easy to “infuse your food with intention and cook joyfully.” (Nov.)