5 stars

Any vegan who makes an effort to eat healthfully - i.e., be mindful of nutrients, not eat nonsense just because it's plant-based - knows that doing this right requires planning, thought, and intention. As a result, any time a new plant-based cookbook comes up, I have to tear into it. There is always a need for more great resources in this realm. Fortunately, _Plant Academy: The Cookbook_ is exactly that: an excellent resource that fills a very specific niche.

Transparently, I got so excited by the title that I anticipated more of a traditional recipe book than what this actually is: a combination of recipes and techniques. I'm an avid cook (and vegan), and while I haven't been to culinary school, I know my way around a kitchen. That said, I found so many new ideas and strategies here. While I think everything in this book is doable for even advanced beginner/intermediate cooks, I also think some of it may SEEM somewhat advanced. Readers should anticipate some recipes, for sure (and I know that massaged kale is going to become a staple in this house!), but they should also prepare for some new content, terminology, and techniques.

I really enjoyed learning as I read, and I'm even more excited to put the new info to use in my kitchen. Happy reading and (plant-based) eating!