07/17/2023
Volger (Vegetarian Entrees That Won’t Leave You Hungry) updates and expands his 2010 volume on vegetarian burger options, and fans will not be disappointed with the variety, creativity, and tastiness on offer. Stating that veggie burgers “should be creative expressions of vegetables” rather than meat imitations, Volger highlights recipes that are “vegetable forward” and, more often than not, are also vegan and/or gluten-free. All are hearty and easy to make at home. After a valuable primer on veggie burger basics (including ingredients and equipment required), readers will find chapters on burgers made with beans and grains; vegetables; and tofu, seitan, and tempeh. From simple options such as easy bean and spiced lentil burgers to more upscale takes like cashew-leek burgers with bulgur and lentils and corn burgers with sun-dried tomatoes and goat cheese, Volger provides something for every palate. He also includes appetizing recipes for side dishes, including a grilled summer salad with creamy sunflower dressing; condiments, such as frizzled shallots and quick-pickled red onions; and even a variety of buns, including pretzel rolls and cornbread buns. Useful sidebars on spices, herbs, deep frying, and more round things out. Home cooks will be eager to fire up their grills. (June)
"This is a terrific book! I’ve never been a fan of veggie burgers—neither the word ‘veggie’ nor the dry little disks with their strange little flavors. But Lukas Volger has just the right idea: Make real food with real flavor—and burgers that go far beyond any microwavable snack. There’s a lot to like in Veggie Burgers Every Which Way, including some very appealing sides, dressings, and, what else? Buns! I’m headed to my kitchen right now."
"If you’re looking for more ideas, I highly recommend the writer Lukas Volger’s really, really wonderful veggie burger cookbook Veggie Burgers Every Which Way, which served as inspiration for Melissa [Clark] and includes recipes for many kinds of patties that fall in three main categories: vegetables, beans and tofu."
"Volger’s excellent new book, Veggie Burgers Every Which Way, should not be thought of as just for vegetarians . . . it is the variety and creativity of the recipes that makes this new cookbook stand out. Recipes such as his Tuscan White Bean Burger . . . are sure to get just about any carnivore’s mouth watering."
"Lukas Volger reversed my veggie burger cynicism."
"One of Volger’s best veggie burgers combines a variety of mushrooms and barley, combining foresty and nutty flavors you’d find in a wintertime wild mushroom soup . . . Try going back to eating one of those frozen soy burgers after that."
"Vegans and vegetarians (and others eating meatless) often resort to cooking frozen veggie burgers out of a box . . . [with Veggie Burgers Every Which Way], you can whip up the real deal: great-tasting colorful homemade variations with fresh produce, whole grains, beans, rice, bread crumbs, spices, and herbs. They will be as good as the ingredients that go into them . . . Appealing topping, side, dressing and bun options are included, too."
"We love your Carrot and White Bean Burger, what a treat."
"This is a small volume with a big mission: to up the flavor profile of this particular vegetarian genre."
"Who knew shredded carrots or quinoa could be so deliciously molded into a pattie? And satisfy a dyed-in-the-wool carnivore."
"Lukas Volger . . . elevates the vegetarian burger to its rightful status as real food."
"Volger provides all the tips and insights you need to make veggie burgers that live up to the hype or, better yet, expand your thinking on what a veggie burger can be."
"A sturdy foundation for figuring out how to make veggie burgers work with whatever beans, vegetables, grains or proteins are available."
"Once considered retro and niche, veggie burgers made from actual vegetables have a new shot at relevance, and Volger has a chance to offer his vision for the future of food, one in which people are excited about vegetables, just as they are."
Volger provides all the tips and insights you need to make veggie burgers that live up to the hype or, better yet, expand your thinking on what a veggie burger can be.”—The Los Angeles Times “If you’re looking for more ideas, I highly recommend the writer Lukas Volger’s really, really wonderful veggie burger cookbook Veggie Burgers Every Which Way, which served as inspiration for Melissa [Clark] and includes recipes for many kinds of patties that fall in three main categories: vegetables, beans and tofu.”—Tejal Rao,The New York Times “This is a terrific book! I’ve never been a fan of veggie burgers—neither the word ‘veggie’ nor the dry little disks with their strange little flavors. But Lukas Volger has just the right idea: Make real food with real flavor—and burgers that go far beyond any microwavable snack. There’s a lot to like in Veggie Burgers Every Which Way, including some very appealing sides, dressings, and, what else? Buns! I’m headed to my kitchen right now.”—Deborah Madison, author of Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and Vegetable Literacy “Lukas Volger reversed my veggie burger cynicism.”—Martha Rose Shulman, The New York Times “We love your Carrot and White Bean Burger, what a treat.”—Smitten Kitchen “Once considered retro and niche, veggie burgers made from actual vegetables have a new shot at relevance, and Volger has a chance to offer his vision for the future of food, one in which people are excited about vegetables, just as they are.”—Eater “A sturdy foundation for figuring out how to make veggie burgers work with whatever beans, vegetables, grains or proteins are available.”—FoodPrint “Fun and tasty burgers and sides for all occasions . . . this welcome new edition will delight with a diversity of ingredients and flavors that can’t be found in grocery-store veggie burgers.”—Library Journal “Fans will not be disappointed with the variety, creativity, and tastiness on offer. Stating that veggie burgers ‘should be creative expressions of vegetables’ rather than meat imitations. . . . Volger provides something for every palate. . . . Home cooks will be eager to fire up their grills.”—Publishers Weekly “Vegans and vegetarians (and others eating meatless) often resort to cooking frozen veggie burgers out of a box . . . [with Veggie Burgers Every Which Way], you can whip up the real deal: great-tasting colorful homemade variations with fresh produce, whole grains, beans, rice, bread crumbs, spices, and herbs. They will be as good as the ingredients that go into them . . . Appealing topping, side, dressing and bun options are included, too.”—Los Angeles Daily News “One of Volger’s best veggie burgers combines a variety of mushrooms and barley, combining foresty and nutty flavors you’d find in a wintertime wild mushroom soup . . . Try going back to eating one of those frozen soy burgers after that.”—The Oregonian “Volger’s excellent new book, Veggie Burgers Every Which Way, should not be thought of as just for vegetarians . . . it is the variety and creativity of the recipes that makes this new cookbook stand out. Recipes such as his Tuscan White Bean Burger . . . are sure to get just about any carnivore’s mouth watering.”—CBC News “Who knew shredded carrots or quinoa could be so deliciously molded into a pattie? And satisfy a dyed-in-the-wool carnivore.”—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “This is a small volume with a big mission: to up the flavor profile of this particular vegetarian genre.”—Washington Post “Lukas Volger . . . elevates the vegetarian burger to its rightful status as real food.”—Montreal Gazette “The world of burgers has just grown bigger, fresher, more colorful, and deliciously diverse thanks to Lukas Volger’s back-to-basics approach to the veggie burger. Summer barbecues may never look the same again!”—Cathy Erway, author of The Art of Eating In and the blog NotEatingOutinNY “This is the book we have been waiting for, and perhaps you have too? A vegetarian and vegan cookbook that actually adds something to our groaning kitchen bookshelf. . . . The book is simply designed and very easy to follow. The mouthwatering photographs leave no doubt that great-tasting veggie burgers can look spectacular. Volger elevates the vegetarian burger to its rightful status as real, imaginative and fun food. . . . 10 out 10! Buntastic!”—Permaculture (UK)
06/01/2023
Volger is a household name when it comes to vegetarian cookbooks, but in 2010, the first edition of this book was the catalyst for his career. This revamped, redesigned reprint reflects all that has changed in the past 13 years, delivering several new recipes and reflections. Veggie burgers are grouped by main ingredient: beans/grains, vegetables, and tofu. Additional chapters include sides, condiments, and even bun recipes. Recipes are practical and quick, delivering plenty of flavor that will make readers wonder why they ever purchased store-bought burgers. There are tips for adapting recipes to be vegan or gluten-free, and the make-ahead tips are perfect for having veggie burgers at the ready for the next get-together. With Volger's popularity and the unique subject, this is a great purchase to diversify vegetarian offerings with fun and tasty burgers and sides for all occasions. VERDICT Just in time for the summer BBQ season, this welcome new edition will delight with a diversity of ingredients and flavors that can't be found in grocery-store veggie burgers.—Sarah Tansley