Plant-Based on a Budget Quick & Easy: 100 Fast, Healthy, Meal-Prep, Freezer-Friendly, and One-Pot Vegan Recipes

I've been a fan of Toni's for a long time and own her first Plant Based on a Budget cookbook as well as the Friendly Vegan. While I will gladly spend a leisurely weekend after in the kitchen making complicated meals for fun, most days I am too busy for those kinds of recipes, yet do not want to sacrifice on health or flavor. Therefore, I was elated when I saw she was coming out with a new book focused on just this. When my preordered copy arrived, I was already able to make the following recipes with ingredients I had on hand:- hummus pizza (used her hummus and dough recipe from her second book and added things on top that I needed to use up from the fridge)- calabacitas- balsamic vinaigrette (love the use of garlic powder for ease)- banana and strawberry banana nice cream- chocolate banana (my fav), apple walnut, blueberry chia, PB and J and pumpkin overnight oats- sopa de fideos- blueberry bread (too sweet and rich for my palate, but family loooved it)- arroz con lechePros:- easily attainable ingredients, many of which I already have on hand- the biscuit recipe I desired in the Friendly Vegan :)- no fake cheese or meat analogs necessary- beautiful pics for every recipe- only a few repeats from previous books, but even these are done differently- great mix of everything from bfast to mains to dessert- I love that she tested and almost every recipe is freezer friendly- The "fried" tofu is worth the cost of the book alone.Cons:- not actually a con, but if you do like to make *everything* from scratch I recommend getting her Plant Based on a Budget cookbook as well (see my pizza review above)- I wish the baking recipes had weights in addition to volumes; also wish there was a little more info (eg what is considered a "standard" loaf pan - I used 9x5, which was clearly too large)One of the negative reviews commented on the use of vegan butter (a total of 10 recipes), white flour (I think you could sub whole wheat for most of these) and sugar. Yes, there are a few recipes that include these ingredients but the majority have no sugar, many are naturally gluten-free and most have oil-free options.Of note, I almost always require more salt than what she recommends. E.g. I think a pound of dried beans needs at least 1.5 tsp salt, and ideally 2, to be delicious and that overnight oats benefit from at least a small pinch. This is not really a con, just something novice cooks should learn to adjust for their own tastes for her cookbooks and every other!I can't wait to try more and to update as I do.Updates:- I've made almost 40 recipes and they have all been quick, cheap and tasty, as advertised.- I served a group of 13 non-vegans her nachos (using Gena Hamshaw cheese sauce from the Vegan Week) and tot casserole, as well as her vanilla frosting (on a cake from Sam Turnbull), and they were all big hits. People kept asking if the casserole had eggs, even though they know me better.

I was so excited to find out that Toni had written another cookbook! Her first cookbook, Plant Based on a Budget, is one of my go-tos to feed my family of 5. I love how this cookbook has the same vibe as her other one - a beautiful, color photo for every recipe, with space set aside to write your own notes and personalizations. I've written all over Plant Based on a Budget, and can't wait to add my own personal touches to this book as well. :)Her recipes include instructions for basics like cooking beans from scratch and making your own salad dressings as well as more in-depth recipes, but everything looks doable. How often do you look through a beautiful cookbook and only find one or two recipes that you would actually make? I have so many cookbooks like that on my shelf and they stay nice and pristine because I so rarely cook from them. Her ingredients are accessible - nothing I couldn't find at my local Walmart grocery store down the street - with options to add in some vegan convenience foods or more pricey ingredients if you want to zhuzh it up and have some extra money in your budget. Cooking instructions are numbered step by step and are very clear and easy to read. She adds her own tips, tips from her recipe testers, and gives you room to write in your own tips or tweaks.I'm sharing a couple photos of the sheet-pan nachos that we made last night. They truly came out just like the picture, and I kid you not - they actually only go in the oven for 8 minutes as advertised! I spent about 10 minutes to prep my ingredients before putting them in the oven, and that's only because I added all the optional add-ons and I chopped my own tomatoes instead of using canned. FYI - I did add in pretty much all the optional ingredients because it was grocery day and my son was home from college and I really wanted to splurge! Even so, I bought everything - even the Daiya cheese and Morningstar farms chorizo - at my local Walmart. Also on my meal plan for this week: Sopa de Fideo, Chili Cornbread Casserole, and pancakes for dinner. On the other nights, we'll eat up the leftovers. If the leftovers don't stretch, we always stock plenty of pantry staples like lentils and other dry beans, rice, pasta, and canned tomato products. There are so many soup or pasta recipes in this cookbook that I could probably make from my pantry without having to take another trip to the store.If you're struggling to keep grocery costs down, I highly recommend reading Toni's great intro and meal planning tips! Meal planning will save you so much money, as will basing your meals on plant-based staples like legumes and grains.

This book is great for anyone new to plant-based diet or trying to slowly transition to it. The recipes are flavorful, easy and quick, and budget friendly. Most recipes do not have lengthy ingredients and many you probably already have on hand or aren't hard to find. Many of them you can fix on Sunday and have to eat on thru Friday. The book is laid out well and the full color pictures are nice. A lot are recipes that people can use for meatless options for those wanting to eat healthier but not ready for a full plant-based diet. She gives options that you can add or change to your liking. I've not tried the tofu recipes yet but they look good. There is a great selection of breakfast, lunch, dinners, snacks, and desserts. There is also some useful information for the plant-based diet. There is a 7-day meal plan including a grocery list which is great. This book is great for beginners to this diet and those just wanting to eat healthier.

I’m new to being a vegan however I found this book to provide me great recipes as I make the transition. It’s actually revived my love for cooking again. The meals are simple and tasty.

Quick, easy and affordable, what’s not to love. Received my copy yesterday and just like Plant-based on a Budget is my go to when I have a lot of time, this will be my go to when I don’t have a great deal of time to hand out in the kitchen. Aside from the many and yummy recipes, the photos are beautiful and this cookbook is user friendly. Not only will you find all ingredients in your pantry, spice drawer and fridge, but the recipes cater to all levels of cooks and encourage you to make use of that instant pot that’s been tucked away in its box. Toni’s tips, tester’s tips and a space for your own tips are an added bonus. Whoever thought meal planning could be so much fun and allow you to spend more time with family, friends and fur babies. Ever so grateful for Toni’s contributions to the kind hearted vegan community and more. Do yourself a favour and invest in a copy, gift one to loved ones and all will discover, Toni is the bomb!💚💚💚

Beautifully illustrated and uses everyday items. Easy to follow recipes producing great tasting, low cost food. Highly recommend.

Absolutely thrilled with this cookbook! It's brimming with enticing recipes that I can't wait to try out in my kitchen. What sets it apart is that every single recipe is accompanied by a mouthwatering photo of the finished dish, which not only sparks my appetite but also gives me a visual guide to aim for. It's like having a culinary adventure at my fingertips, and I'm ready to dive right in and create some delicious meals!

This cookbook is large with a colourful photo for each recipe. Everything is plant based. What I love about this book is how some of the recipes are super simple (like pizza bagels) while others are simple, yet more sophisticated like Spinach Alfredo. I like that there are not a bunch of little-known ingredients and I can use regular kitchen tools to make them. The chili with cornbread is a fun make (and we loved it) as was the make-at-home nachos. This is a fun, quick and easy budget friendly cookbook that will become one you return to time and again. I am very happy with this purchase.

This is a great starter book into the world of plant based diets. It’s straight forward easy to follow without any rubbish of the author’s life story.Highly recommend this book if you want to increase more plant based meals in your diet