Hi, we're Chad and Derek. We're chefs and brothers who craft humble vegetables into the stuff of food legend. Everything we create is a bold marriage of delicate and punchy flavors, and crunchy textures-all with knife-sharp attention to detail. We're proud graduates of the University of Common Sense who simply believe that eating more veg is good for you and good for the planet.
THE WICKED HEALTHY COOKBOOK takes badass plant-based cooking to a whole new level. The chefs have pioneered innovative cooking techniques such as pressing and searing mushrooms until they reach a rich and delicious meat-like consistency. Inside, you'll find informative sidebars and must-have tips on everything from oil-free and gluten-free cooking (if you're into that) to organizing an efficient kitchen.
Celebrating the central role of crave-able food for our health and vitality, Chad and Derek give readers 129 recipes for everyday meals and dinner parties alike, and they also show us how to kick back and indulge now and then. Their drool-inducing recipes include Sloppy BBQ Jackfruit Sliders with Slaw, and Grilled Peaches with Vanilla Spiced Gelato and Mango Sriracha Caramel. They believe that if you shoot for 80% healthy and 20% wicked, you'll be 100% sexy: That's the Wicked Healthy way.
Product details
Publisher : Grand Central Life & Style; Illustrated edition (May 8, 2018)
Language : English
Hardcover : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1455570281
ISBN-13 : 978-1455570287
Item Weight : 2.8 pounds
Dimensions : 10 x 8.5 x 1 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #21,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#17 in Whole Foods Diets
#28 in Vegetable Cooking (Books)
#73 in Vegan Cooking (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.6
1,057 ratings
Introduction
The Wicked Healthy Cookbook revolutionizes the way we think about food, emphasizing a plant-based diet free from animals without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. By introducing innovative culinary techniques and a mindset geared towards health and sustainability, this guide proves that vegan cooking can be both delicious and accessible. Let's delve into the core principles and recipes that make the Wicked Healthy approach stand out.
The Wicked Healthy Culinary Techniques
- Pan Searing and Roasting: This technique emphasizes the importance of achieving a perfect crust and depth of flavor in vegetables and plant-based proteins, bringing out their inherent umami.
- Steaming and Blanching: Highlighting the retention of nutrients and vibrant colors in vegetables, steaming and blanching are presented as essential methods for healthy cooking.
- Sautéing and Stir-Frying: Quick and high-heat methods that ensure vegetables retain their texture while infusing them with flavors through the use of innovating seasoning and sauces.
Wicked Healthy Mindset
Embracing a Wicked Healthy mindset begins with outfitting your kitchen appropriately. Essentials include:
- Kitchen Equipment Must-Haves: High-quality knives, versatile pans, and a powerful blender are among the items that form the backbone of an efficient, plant-based kitchen.
- Wicked Healthy Pantry Essentials: Stocking the pantry with a range of spices, whole grains, and canned goods ensures that flavorful, nutritious meals are always within reach.
Charred and Grilled
Exploring the realm of charred and grilled plant-based dishes, this section teaches readers to master:
- Grilled Cabbage: A guide to transforming this humble vegetable into a smoky, delicious centerpiece.
- BBQ Techniques and Tips: Leveraging spices and slow-cooking methods to create mouthwatering, meat-free barbecue.
- Smoking Vegetables: Introducing an innovative approach to smoking that imbues vegetables with a deep, complex flavor.
Bowls
Highlighting the versatility and simplicity of bowl-based meals, this chapter covers:
- Grain Bowls: Combinations of whole grains, fresh vegetables, and robust sauces that make up complete, nourishing meals.
- Noodle Bowls: Fast, flavorful dishes that leverage the texture and taste of various noodles paired with vibrant sauces and fresh vegetables.
- Soup and Salad Bowls: Warm, comforting soups and hearty salads that serve as perfect vehicles for a wide range of plant-based ingredients.
Handhelds
Focusing on food you can eat with your hands, this section includes recipes for:
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Plant-based takes on classic comfort food, loaded with flavors and textures.
- Tacos: A testament to the versatility of Mexican cuisine with a variety of fillings and homemade salsas.
- Burgers: Reinventing the burger with innovative, plant-based patties that are both satisfying and flavorful.
Skillets, Bakes, and Casseroles
This chapter brings comfort food to the forefront, featuring:
- Stir Fries: Quick and nutritious dishes that combine crunchy vegetables and savory sauces.
- Baked Pastas: Oven-baked dishes that showcase the creamy, comforting side of vegan cooking.
- Comfort Food Casseroles: Hearty, oven-baked creations perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
Wicked Healthy Kids
Designed to appeal to younger palates, this chapter provides strategies and recipes for:
- Kid-Friendly Vegetables: Tips for preparing vegetables in a way that makes them irresistible to kids.
- Fun and Healthy Snacks: Creative snack ideas that are both nutritious and enjoyable for children.
- Sweet Treats: Healthier dessert options that cater to children's preferences without relying on processed sugars.
Sweets
Concluding with a celebration of desserts, this section offers plant-based versions of classic indulgences, including:
- Cakes and Cupcakes: Decadent yet plant-based cakes and cupcakes for all occasions.
- Cookies and Bars: A variety of baked goods that prove vegan treats can be just as satisfying as their traditional counterparts.
- Ice Creams and Sorbets: Dairy-free frozen desserts that don't skimp on creaminess or flavor.
Basics, Sauces, and Dressings
The foundation of any great dish lies in its sauce or dressing. This final chapter teaches readers to master:
- Basic Stocks: The starting point for many recipes, homemade stocks add depth and flavor to vegan dishes.
- Wicked Healthy Sauces: Signature sauces that can transform simple ingredients into spectacular meals.
- Dressings and Condiments: The finishing touch for salads, bowls, and more, these recipes add a burst of flavor to any dish.
The Wicked Healthy Cookbook offers a comprehensive guide to making vegan cooking irresistible and accessible, proving that a plant-based diet can be rich, satisfying, and fun. With these techniques and recipes, anyone can incorporate more plant-based meals into their diet, contributing to a healthier body and planet.
FAQs about Wicked Healthy Culinary Techniques and Mindset
- What are the key culinary techniques in Wicked Healthy cooking?
The Wicked Healthy cooking approach emphasizes a variety of culinary techniques to enhance the flavor and nutritional content of plant-based dishes. Key techniques include: Pan Searing and Roasting, ideal for enhancing the flavors of vegetables and meat substitutes with a crisp exterior; Steaming and Blanching, perfect for maintaining the vibrant color and nutrients of vegetables; and Sautéing and Stir-Frying, a quick and healthy method to cook a variety of ingredients with minimal oil while keeping textures crisp and flavors intense.
- What equipment is considered essential in a Wicked Healthy kitchen?
To fully embrace the Wicked Healthy mindset, your kitchen should be equipped with a few essentials that make the cooking process more efficient and enjoyable. These include a high-quality chef’s knife for precise cutting, a cast-iron skillet for perfect searing and roasting, a large cutting board, a blender or food processor for sauces and dressings, and a set of mixing bowls and measuring tools for accurate ingredient preparation.
- What are some Wicked Healthy pantry essentials?
Stocking your pantry with Wicked Healthy essentials ensures you’re always ready to whip up flavorful, plant-based meals. Key items include:
- Whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, farro)
- Nuts and seeds (almonds, chia seeds)
- Legumes (lentils, chickpeas)
- Nutritional yeast
- Spices and herbs
- Quality oils and vinegars
- Can you give examples of Wicked Healthy bowls?
Wicked Healthy bowls are all about combining a variety of flavors and textures into one satisfying meal. Here are a few examples:
| Type |
Examples |
| Grain Bowls |
Quinoa with roasted vegetables and tahini dressing |
| Noodle Bowls |
Soba noodles with stir-fried veggies and a spicy peanut sauce |
| Soup and Salad Bowls |
Kale salad with avocado, nuts, and seeds; Minestrone soup |
- What techniques are recommended for creating charred and grilled plant-based dishes?
For that irresistible charred flavor in plant-based dishes, the Wicked Healthy approach recommends using a hot grill or grill pan for vegetables like cabbage, combined with flavorful marinades and basting sauces. BBQ techniques such as slow-grilling over indirect heat and using wood chips for smoking can add depth and a smoky taste to vegetables and plant-based proteins. Experimenting with different temperatures and cooking times will help in achieving the perfect char and texture.
- How can I make Wicked Healthy dishes kid-friendly?
Making Wicked Healthy dishes kid-friendly involves incorporating vegetables and plant-based ingredients in fun and appealing ways. Try using colorful vegetables in playful shapes, offering healthy snacks like fruit skewers or veggie chips, and creating sweet treats with natural sugars from fruits. Engaging kids in the cooking process can also make them more excited about trying new, healthy foods.
- What role do sauces and dressings play in Wicked Healthy cuisine?
Sauces and dressings are cornerstone elements in Wicked Healthy cuisine, adding layers of flavor, moisture, and richness to plant-based dishes. From basic stocks that provide depth to soups and stews, to innovative dressings for salads and grains, and creative condiments like spicy mayos or tangy salsas for handhelds, they can transform simple ingredients into extraordinary meals. Emphasizing wholesome ingredients and bold seasonings is key to their success.
- Are there any special considerations for making sweets in a Wicked Healthy way?
In Wicked Healthy cooking, sweets are treated as an opportunity to enjoy the natural goodness of ingredients without relying heavily on processed sugars or fats. Desserts like cakes, cupcakes, and sorbets focus on incorporating fruits, nuts, and whole grains, using healthier sweeteners like maple syrup, dates, or agave. Experimentation with non-dairy milks and plant-based butters allows for rich and creamy textures without animal products.
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