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I usually shy away from reviewing a cookbook because I easily get put off by each recipe calling for processed stuff, fake meats and too much tofu:). I almost never have those things at home, and I wont buy them just to try out a recipe. I hardly ever have vegan butter at home these days too.Â
When Dianne Wenz(aka Veggie Girl), from Vegan Heritage Press asked me if I’d review Robin Robertson’s Nut Butter Universe, I thought I should give it a try because of the amazing reviews by fellow bloggers!
Robin Robertson needs no introduction really. Her culinary experience spans over 25 years and she is an award winning vegan cookbook author of some amazing and diverse cookbooks.
If I went shopping for a cookbook, most likely I will pick up one with a lot of detailed large and beautiful pictures. But then I already have a few of those and I haven’t cooked as much from them as much as I did from this book.:) There are limited pictures in the book. The recipes though are simple, creative, cover many cuisines, and still very intuitive that you can imagine how the final product will look and taste. And also so many vegetable based options, very whole-foods friendly and easily editable to taste.Â
I tried the Roasted Tahini Cauliflower first because, a- it calls for cauliflower, b- it is roasted, c- theres Sriracha and Za’atar in the sauce. yum! Of course, I added more Sriracha than called for 😉

In my small kitchen, some times the things move round during re-organization and can never be found. Such was the case when I decided to make muffins. I couldn’t find my regular muffin pan, so I made these mini ones instead. And I tell ya, these mini muffins are much funner than the large ones. Hubbs isnt a fan of too much sweet, but he loved these minis. I used Spelt flour instead of all purpose and almond-walnut butter instead of pecan butter and made a smaller batch and they came out delicious. These made a perfect breakfast!

The other great part about the book is the Soy-free and Gluten-free Index. You can pick out the recipes per your diet preference very easily.Â
I had been postponing trying a queso and when I saw it in the book I decided to make some. Quinoa with Black eyed peas and some Cashew Queso sauce. Because I have cooked Black eyed peas easily in the kitchen 🙂


For more recipes, pictures and review posts.
Check out The Summer Berry Cheesecake, Romesco sauce, Nutty Buddy Burgers and more at Somer’s review.Â
The Fantasy Brownies and Black Bottom Peanut Butter Freezer pie at Kristy’s review.
And more at Nut Butter Universe Blog Tour.
More cauliflower pictured below.

Mini Muffins.

What attracts you to a cookbook initially and what makes the cookbook the most used, splattered, post-it-ed one? Leave me a comment
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Simple ingredient lists and instructions usually draw me to a cookbook. And the most used books in my kitchen are those that are easy to put together but pack a tasteful (and healthy) punch!
Kid friendly recipes that are great for the busy mom!
If it’s a blogger I’ve followed and loved then I will most likely buy their cookbook. What keeps me using the cookbook is the accessibility of ingredients and the ease of recipes. Plus, if my family approves!
It’s fantastic….a definite keeper.
I’m initially attracts me is a ‘theme’ compatible with what I like to eat…what makes for ‘battle scars’ is that the food/recipes taste good!
There’s an error in the amount of quinoa to water/broth in the Quinoa and Black Beans Queso recipe. It’s 1 1/2 cups quinoa to 2 1/4 cups water or broth. There is no way you can cook 1/2 cup quinoa and 1/4 cup liquid for 25 minutes, and it wouldn’t be enough for the recipe. Cooking it now. It does sound delicious.
Thanks for letting me me know Shellie. yes it is 1 1/2 cups quinoa and 2 1/4 cup water. i think they disappeared in the editing or something trying numbered ingredients and then removing them or something.
It’s the pictures that make me pick the book up. But it’s the glossary that makes me use it. I want to search by recipe, by ingredient, by category. That makes it so user friendly to me!
I think that one thing that attracts me to begin with would be the philosophy. I don’t want a cookbook that uses ingredients that I try to stay away from. I keep using the ones that have the most recipes we love, pure and simple! heart4him11@verizon.net Becky 🙂
To me, the best cookbooks have easy to find ingredients, and are based on whole, unprocessed foods.
I definitely read the ingredients first and all but skip the pictures! (I must be unusual, that way!) I am new to Robin Robertson, though – out of all of her books, which would you recommend as a must-have? Thanks!