Newton cookbook author publishes ‘Plants For You’
Diana Goldman is a certified vegan lifestyle coach and educator whowrites the popular blog Beantown Kitchen
By Ann Trieger Kurland Globe Correspondent,Updated June 25, 2024, 12:30 p.m.
6/25/24, 9:54 PM Newton cookbook author publishes ‘Plants For You’ https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/06/25/lifestyle/newton-cookbook-author-plants-for-you/ 1/4
“Plants For You” vegan cookbook by Newton resident Diana Goldman.DIANA GOLDMAN
6/25/24, 9:54 PM Newton cookbook author publishes ‘Plants For You’ https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/06/25/lifestyle/newton-cookbook-author-plants-for-you/ 2/4
Diana Goldman, a vegan chef, Sierra Club cooking show host, and blogger with a degree in nutritional science, brings us into vegan cooking in her self-published and photographed book, “Plants For You.”
She sidesteps the term “vegan” throughout the book, opting for “plant-based” instead. “Vegan has a connotation,” she says. “Some say it sounds scary. I didn’t want to lose people over a word.”
A Newton resident, Goldman was spurred to switch to a plant-based diet nearly a dozen years ago after she watched the eye-opening documentary “Earthlings,” which revealed the harsh realities of the animal farming industry. Now a certified vegan lifestyle coach and educator, she launched the popular blog Beantown Kitchen.
The recipes in the cookbook are easy to execute, with many dishes taking less than 30 minutes. Even if you’re not swayed to give up burgers, chicken, eggs, or cheese, this book offers ideas to incorporate more plant-based mealsinto your family’s routine. A half-baked potato topped with salsa, black beans, corn, and avocado could be a tasty new option for kids.
The book balances simple recipes that boostnutrition, such as iron-enriched granola and a berry jam made with frozen raspberries with the addition of chai seeds, to a twist on classic dishes — a hearty chili featuring black and pinto beans, sweet potatoes, and corn offers a tasty alternative for beef chili.
When you have some time, try Goldman’s techniques that transform plant-based ingredients into seafood-inspired dishes. Chickpeas, hearts of palm, kelp, and bread crumbs become“crab cakes” seasoned with Old Bay. For a lox-like experience, thinly sliced carrots are steamed, marinated with the addition of liquid smoke, and rested in the fridge under nori strips. It’s a surprisingly satisfying bagel topping. You’ll find advice, cooking tips, and even QR codes linked to helpful videos — and some new, fun, meat-free ideas ($35).
Available at beantownkitchen.com.
6/25/24, 9:54 PM Newton cookbook author publishes ‘Plants For You’
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ANN TRIEGER KURLAND
Ann Trieger Kurland can be reached at anntrieger@gmail.com.
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