Savoring - by Murielle Banackissa (Hardcover)

About the Book

A collection of beautiful and inspiring plant-based recipes filled with the flavors of far-reaching influences. Savoring invites you to slow down and immerse yourself in vegan cooking--meal by meal, moment by moment. There is something so satisfying about choosing to consciously slow down and create a dish without distractions: cherishing the time in the kitchen, celebrating the ingredients that give us life, and slowly transforming them into something magical. Murielle Banackissa--recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer--has spent hours, nights, whole weekends in her kitchen cooking for herself and for others. In Savoring, she shares a collection of her unique plant-based recipes that is both a celebration of those special moments found in cooking (grilling flavor into peaches to top weekend waffles, sitting with mushrooms while they caramelize) and an interweaving of her different cultural influences--from her upbringing in the Republic of Congo, to her mother's Russian and Ukrainian heritage recipes, and her family's immigration to Montreal.

Book Synopsis

A collection of beautiful and inspiring plant-based recipes filled with the flavors of far-reaching influences. Savoring invites you to slow down and immerse yourself in vegan cooking--meal by meal, moment by moment.

There is something so satisfying about choosing to consciously slow down and create a dish without distractions: cherishing the time in the kitchen, celebrating the ingredients that give us life, and slowly transforming them into something magical. Murielle Banackissa--recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer--has spent hours, nights, whole weekends in her kitchen cooking for herself and for others. In Savoring, she shares a collection of her unique plant-based recipes that is both a celebration of those special moments found in cooking (grilling flavor into peaches to top weekend waffles, sitting with mushrooms while they caramelize) and an interweaving of her different cultural influences--from her upbringing in the Republic of Congo, to her mother's Russian and Ukrainian heritage recipes, and her family's immigration to Montreal.

With recipes that range from stuffed savory crepes to lentil-filled dumplings to cassava leaf and spinach stew, inside, you'll find:

• Bountiful Breakfasts: Crispy Chickpea Pancakes with Avocado and Salsa; Rum-Coconut French Toast with Caramelized Bananas; Stewed Blackberries and Lemon Ricotta Toasts
• Small Plates and Salads: Pan-Fried Plantains; Pearl Barley Salad with Roasted Bell Peppers and Vegan Feta; Garlicky Miso-Glazed Bok Choy; Fufu
• Marvelous Main Dishes: Coconut-Crusted Tofu with Spicy Mango Salsa; Peanut Butter and Sweet Potato Stew; Sesame Ginger Glazed Shiitakes with Sticky Rice; Quebec Meatless Pie
• Delectable Desserts: Olive Oil and Rose Polenta Bundt Cake; Spiced Poached Pear Puff Pastry Tart; Date-Sweetened Chocolate Cream Tarts; Fried Banana Beignets

With Murielle's stunning, atmospheric photography accompanying every recipe, Savoring is the debut cookbook from a very exciting new food talent. Filled with recipes inspired by her far-reaching family, it is a thoughtful and delicious exploration of all kinds of plant-based dishes sure to introduce new flavors to your table.

Review Quotes

"Savoring has everything you want in a cookbook: a stunning collection of flavor-forward, inventive recipes that beg to be cooked, a beautiful tribute to shared cultures, and a thoughtful and compelling invitation to slow down and savor life and all its flavors. Murielle's accessible, unique plant-based dishes will inspire you to be a better cook and more joyous eater."
--HANNAH CHE, author of The Vegan Chinese Kitchen

"I'm inspired by the vegan interpretations of Murielle's well-loved family recipes in this remarkable collection. Nods to tradition, new vegan classics, sophisticated options for entertaining, and quick comfort food all have a place here."
--LAURA WRIGHT, author of The First Mess Cookbook

"While the promise of 15-minute dinners has never been louder, most of us still find ourselves stressed and overworked. Murielle has given us a beautiful and much-needed reminder that when we're intentional in the kitchen, we not only appreciate our food more, but we're also practicing the radical act of love for ourselves and others. Between the stunning photography and the wide variety of unique plant-based meals that speak to Murielle's cross-cultural upbringing, Savoring will earn a spot both on your coffee table and in your kitchen."
--NISHA VORA, author of The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook and creator of Rainbow Plant Life

"Whether you eat entirely plant-based or not, this book is for you. This collection of recipes is beautifully vibrant and full of flavor, the kind of dishes that are food for the soul: nourishing, comforting, and utterly delicious. Murielle has created a gem of a cookbook that deserves to be in every kitchen."
--DIALA CANELO, author of Diala's Kitchen

"This cookbook is a feast for the senses, with beautiful food photography that will inspire you to get into the kitchen and start cooking! The entirely plant-based recipes burst with flavor and celebrate Murielle's diverse culinary journey, from her childhood memories in the Congo to her passion for veganism. With a focus on slow and intentional cooking, and with everything from savory dishes to decadent desserts, this book is perfect for home cooks who want to create delicious, wholesome dishes that will delight their taste buds and impress their loved ones."
--SADIA BADIEI, founder of Pick Up Limes

"With intentional, slow recipes that bring out the best of nutritious ingredients, these are vegan dishes bursting with flavor. There's a wonderful mix of recipes in Savoring from Murielle's cultural background and I would happily make every one. With beautifully dramatic photography and an equally stunning design, this is a cookbook you'll turn to again and again."
--ALEXANDRA DAUM, author of Occasionally Eggs

About the Author

Murielle Banackissa is a food photographer, recipe developer, and food stylist based in Montreal. Outside of spending hours developing new recipes and shooting them in her home studio, Murielle loves paying attention to the details surrounding her as a way to feel more grounded and present. From water droplets resting on leaves after rainfall, to the golden glow of summer nights, to the way yeasted dough rises under the ideal conditions, she is always seeking the magic in seemingly mundane moments.