Yea!  It’s summer!  Warm weather brings more opportunities to dine outside with family and friends.

Unfortunately for vegans and vegetarians, typical picnic and BBQ foods leave little that can be eaten. I have spent many a family BBQ around the 4th of July eating lettuce and tomatoes only that were meant to top burgers.  Now, there is a vegan cookbook that can help!

[amazon_link id=”1551525321″ target=”_blank” ]Vegan al Fresco: Happy & Healthy Recipes for Picnics, Barbecues & Outdoor Dining[/amazon_link]

In spring and summer, there’s nothing better than sharing a delicious meal outdoors with friends and family! Carla Kelly’s new cookbook, Vegan al Fresco, is a bright, flavorful, and family-friendly guide to outdoor dining and entertaining without the use of any animal products. 

In Vegan al Fresco, Kelly offers over 200 fresh, creative, and healthful recipes for entrées, salads, brunch features, desserts, and finger foods that are perfect for your next picnic in the park, backyard barbeque, or cottage cookout!

Picnic-ready sandwich options include vegan takes on chicken-salad, egg-salad, and crab-salad fillings, and Louisiana-inspired Pita Po’ Boys with twice-fried Seitan Bites. Carla also serves up recipes for delicious barbecue entrees like Garlic & Sage Sausages, Beer & Onion Sausages, and Beet & Bean Burgers.

Carla Kelly is the Queen of Condiments, and her fresh jams (Jalapeño & Cherry Jam), sauces (Peanut Butter Adobo BBQ Sauce), spreads and dips (Caper & Edamame Dip) transform basic sandwiches, burgers, and fresh veggies into an elegant outdoor dining experience. She also includes updated twists on classic picnic and potluck salads like Creamy Fennel Potato Salad and a fusion-inspired Smoky Soba Noodle Salad.

I can’t wait to make the Buckwheat & Onion Mini-Loaves and the Chilled Blueberry Chocolate Pie!

Thankfully, my family has learned to adapt, and there is typically a bowl of vegan potato salad made special for me.   Looking at recipes in this cookbook, I think I will be inspired to do a little of the cooking myself!

[amazon_enhanced asin=”1551525321″ /]

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