Here’s my verdict for Clean Sweets: Simple High-Protein Desserts for One by Arman Liew.
To Read: Yes, at least the section on alternative ingredients. This is a small cookbook, and there’s not a lot to read. The book starts with the author’s story of creating his blog, which led to this cookbook. Following that, is the most useful section, which explains the various categories of ingredients used in the recipes and how to use alternative ingredients. For example, if a recipe calls for a granulated sugar, you could use regular sugar, coconut sugar, granulated stevia, or several other choices. Since each recipe allows for a lot of substitution of ingredients, this info is quite useful.
To Look At: Yes. There are gorgeous photos for each recipe. Unfortunately, the photos look so good and the taste of the desserts don’t necessarily live up to the photos.
To Cook From: Maybe. If you are trying to eat desserts while avoiding certain ingredients, this cookbook can certainly be useful. Just don’t expect these desserts to taste exactly like the full-sugar, full-fat, non-vegan versions. I made the Confetti Breakfast Blondie, and the results were similar to the Deep Dish Skillet Brownie. Not great.
Many of the recipes in this little book are intriguing, so I might play around with it some more. I think if I got used to cooking with these ingredients I might be able to create some yummy desserts. I also think if you have to avoid certain ingredients, like dairy or gluten, it would be worth trying out some of these recipes.
Tomorrow I will be back with a brand new cookbook. See you then!
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