Chapter 1 - Basic Vegan Nutrition
Mildred's Vegan is a cookbook, written by Mildred's Vegan cookbook author, Janet Hudson. The book is designed for those who are looking to transition to a vegan lifestyle, and the recipes featured in the book are meant to help people learn how to make vegan food that is both healthy and delicious. In the first chapter, Hudson discusses the basics of vegan nutrition. She goes over why vegan eating is important and how to get the essential vitamins and minerals that a vegan diet lacks. She also provides specific information on what vegan foods to eat to get the most nutrition. For example, she talks about increasing legume intake for iron, getting vitamins A, B12, and D from plant-based sources, and incorporating leafy greens for calcium and fiber.
Chapter 2 - Introduction to Plant-based Cooking
Staying true to the purpose of the book, the second chapter of Mildred's Vegan focuses on an introduction to plant-based cooking. Hudson touches on the basics of vegan cooking, such as how to veganize classic recipes, tips for cooking with plant-based proteins, and how to add flavor and texture when cooking with plant-based ingredients. She also goes into detail about cooking techniques and provides helpful suggestions on how to prepare vegetables. For example, she suggests roasting vegetables for a deeper flavor, sautéing them with herbs and spices to bring out their flavors, or steaming them to keep their natural flavors intact. Each suggestion gives an experience vegan, or someone new to vegan cooking, the opportunity to try something new.
Chapter 3 - Recipe Basics
The rest of Mildred's Vegan features an array of plant-based recipes. Though the book contains all kinds of recipes, they all share a few basic components. Chapter 3 goes over basic cooking techniques and kitchen equipment for both vegan-specific and general vegan cooking. Hudson also provides tips for common vegan cooking ingredients, such as how to properly store tofu, which fruits and vegetables are best for salads, and how to cook grains and legumes. She also offers several vegan cooking hacks, such as how to make milk substitutes and how to substitute vegan ingredients for classic recipes.
Chapter 4 onward - Recipes
The remaining chapters of Mildred's Vegan are devoted to vegan recipes. Each recipe is easy to follow, with clear instructions and detailed ingredients lists. From appetizers and salads to entrees and desserts, Hudson presents creative and delicious recipes that accommodate for all kinds of diets. One example is her Spinach Quinoa Burgers, which has just a few simple ingredients like cooked quinoa, spinach, chopped nuts, and seasonings. The burger is full of flavor and gives a much healthier option to traditional burgers. Hudson also makes sure to provide recipes that any vegan would enjoy, such as her Coconut Cream Pie or Savory Cauliflower Mac and Cheese. Through her recipes, Hudson aims to help others transition to veganism and maintain a healthy vegan lifestyle.
