ENTERTAINMENT REALM

Protein Ninja by Terry Hope Romero. Da Capo Press| February 2016| 232 pages | $22.99| ISBN: 978-0-7382-1849-6

RATING: ***/5*

If you’re a vegan, you’ve definitely been asked where do you get your protein or do you get enough protein. Always questions on a vegan’s protein sources but never asking about vitamins, nutrients or fiber. But that’s another thing entirely.

Terry Hope Romero writes in the introduction: “These recipes are my current answer to the new question ‘How ELSE will I get my protein?’ in the midst of an overbooked life. Booked with fun and important stuff (usually), but still in control of someone who loves food, loves to cook, and would rather spend a little extra time in the kitchen one night for several days of better breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and even dinners.”

I’ll definitely make the delicious steamed seitan recipe [I use her Salad Samurai cookbook]. Also she includes lots of yummy burger recipes to try as well smoothie bowls which are quite popular these days and an easy way to boost your protein level. Romero uses various protein powders—brown rice protein powder, hemp protein powder pea protein powder– in her recipes, something I haven’t used or been able to afford. Pea and brown rice protein powder are less expensive, on Amazon, for $16.00 for a two pound container. Hemp protein power runs $16.00 for a 16 oz. container. Most recipes call for 1/4 cup or more of protein powder. And if protein powders aren’t included the recipes require other pricey items such as dates, cashews or hazelnuts.

There’s the Chocolate Avocado Smoothie Bowl and Strawberry ‘N’ Protein Chia Pudding. For baked goods I want to try Hempy Corn Bread. Instead of the super popular avocado toast why not try Chickpea Pesto Tomato Toast or Garam Masala Red Lentil Toast. Can’t have a vegan cookbook without burger recipes. Find recipes for Super Hemp Protein Beet Burgers, Sunny Oat Burgers and Green Goddess Burgers. Have you noticed that grain and noodle bowls are all the rage? Five-Spice Chickpea Peanut Noodle Bowl sounds appetizing. For dessert I’d make Black Bean Hemp Brownies or Hazelnut Chip Navy Blondies. So hit the gym and power up!

Protein Ninja is divided into these sections: Stealth Vegan Protein: a Protein Ninja Primer; The Protein Ninja Pantry; Ninja Basics; Unstoppable Smoothie Bowls and Granola; Stealthy Protein Pankcakes, Waffles, and Much Much More; The Protein Bakery Basket; Super Toast: Savory and Sweet; Protein-Packed Patties and Burgers; Better than Ever Burger Bowls; Grain and Noodle Bowls; Sweet Treats.

Terry Hope Romero is author of Salad Samurai, Vegan Eats World and co-author of Veganomicon–the best vegan cookbook and essential must-have for all vegans. She lives in Queens, New York.

 FTC Disclosure: I received this for review from Da Capo Press.

–review by Amy Steele

purchase at Amazon: Protein Ninja: Power through Your Day with 100 Hearty Plant-Based Recipes that Pack a Protein Punch