Capitalizing on the runaway success of their first book, Skinny Bitch
—a feisty exposé of the “shady business” of the food industry—Freedman, a former agent for Ford models, and Barnouin, a former model and holistic nutritionist, present a slim follow-up vegan cookbook with a wide range of recipes. Reminding readers that meat and dairy are no-nos (the former described as “dead, rotting, decomposing flesh of carcasses” and the latter as the cause of multiple ailments and diseases ranging from acne to cancer), they espouse the liberal use of such complex carbs as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Simple carbs, they warn, “suck and should be avoided.” The authors offer “Bitchin Breakfasts,” “Skinny-ass Salads,” and “PMS-Pleasing Snacks and Appetizers,” using such alternatives to meat and dairy products as vegan bacon (made of soy protein and wheat gluten) and vegan cheese (a dairy-free cheese substitute that contains no milk). The recipes are neither too complicated nor basic: a zesty chapter called “International Bitch” includes Falafel and Pad Thai, and the “Italian Bitch” section ranges from Lasagna to Eggplant Parmesan vegan-style. Desserts include Bitchtastic Brownies and a mouth-watering Chocolate Suicide Cake. Perhaps not a great gift book for grandma (unless she happens to be a foul-mouthed vegan), this will be embraced by readers seeking healthful recipes with an entertaining twist. (Jan.)
