Vegan Korean Cookbook Review

Vegan Korean Food Book Review :

The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma's Kitchen by Joanne Lee Molinaro,

I've eaten Korean food in restaurants in NYC and found some dishes that I really liked such tofu bibimbap made with vegetables, rice, sauce and tofu. I also tasted a mushroom hot pot called Beoseot Jeongol that was made with a variety of mushrooms in a delicious sauce and an appetizer made with thinly slice eggplant called Gaji Mari that was used to roll uncooked salad vegetables. All were very tasty. 

Although I have tried Korean food in restaurants, I have never attempted to try to cook Korean food. I've decided that this summer, I will try some new ethnic cookbooks. 

One of the first is a new vegan Korean cookbook called, The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma's Kitchen by Joanne Lee Molinaro,

It was named one of the best cookbooks of the year by Epicurious and was a New York Times best seller. 

The author not only shares authentic family recipes (veganized), she also is a storyteller who recalls the stories surrounding the recipes she shares.  It's a delightful read as well as a wonderful cookbook full of exciting recipes from Omma's (her mother's) kitchen. 

The first time I was introduced to a Korean family was on the Nexflix series, Kim's Convenience. If you haven't watched that series, I highly recommend it. It's in English, light, funny, and very enjoyable. The Korean mother of the series is Omma too.

My experience with the cookbook: 

The recipes in this cookbook seem a little daunting and foreign to me and although many are categorized as "medium difficulty"- I hesitated to attempt them. In addition, there are some ingredients that are strictly Korean and need to be purchased in a specialty store. I have other Asian vegan cookbooks which are probably less authentic, but seemed more user friendly to me. Many of the recipes are naturally gluten-free and many can be adapted by using a gluten-free noodle. 

I 

I selected what seemed the easiest to me and will be trying the Sweet and Sour Mushrooms, The Korean Potato Salad, Korean Rice Balls- called SUPPLI (which will be the most challenging). I've also been wanting to try to roll my own sushi too- so I might give it a try as well. Her version is made with daikon radish as one of the vegetables.

If you are interested in other cultures, Joanne Lee Molinaro brings her Korean family members and memories to life in this comprehensive authentic Korean recipe book. 

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