This cookbook is a visual delight from start to finish. The warm and calm colors are paired with energetic "shadow" pictures, and a very clean layout that seems to make me want to cook! The subtitle states, "Recipes for Singles," but this is also an excellent cookbook for couples. Most of the recipes yield 2 servings, while some cater 1, 3, or 4 people. But overall, these aren't your average jumbo recipes that must be halved, and halved again to suit petite households.

To be honest, there are very few recipes I don't plan on trying in this cookbook. Thus far, I have been thrilled with the Sunrise Smoothie, Berry Power Shake, Golden Gravy, Seasoned Tofu Tidbits, and the Frozen Yogurt Berry Pops, and I can't wait to try the Hacienda Home Fries, Ginger-Carrot Soup, Tex-Mex Bean Burgers, Pad Thai, Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil, Classic Peanut Butter Cookies, and Hot Fudge Sauce, just to name a few. I am sure I will get to all of these very soon, as every recipe seems to have a "quick and easy" theme. Even the recipes with longer ingredient lists focus more on easy-to-find herbs, spices, and vegetables, then on lengthy instructions.

While I did sample a tofu recipe, we really do eat soy in our house with rarity, so I was pleased that many of the recipes are soy-free or can be easily adapted to be soy-free (ie, use a different milk alternative).

In terms of the format, Vegan Bites starts with an introduction that includes some food and health tips for new vegans, shopping suggestions, a pantry essentials list, a quick outline of kitchen equipment and gadgets, and my personal favorite, a guide to cooking basic grains. I love the size, which is a generous 8"x9" and holds open on its own practically from the get go. Each recipe is neatly laid out in a one page per recipe format, each with its own introduction and variations/tips as needed. As mentioned, the recipe sizes are smaller for smaller households of just one or two people, including the cookies! Each batch makes up just 8 or 9, to help limit the amount you inhale in a single day ... if you are anything like me.

I found this cookbook great for the preperation of quick and easy vegan fare. I still would recommend the "Voluptuous Vegan" over any cookbook in this category.

Love this cookbook and its simple recipes with easy to find ingredients. I am the 'only' vegetarian (wanting to be vegan) in my house so it is helpful to have easy recipes to cook for me while cooking stuff for the others. These recipes are so tasty that maybe will be able to convert rest of family to vegetarian.

Simple, clear, delicious ideas. Good for someone just starting out as a vegan, or for those who have already embraced the lifestyle.

The vegetarian approach to eating is growing more and more popular as people become involved in and aware of animal advocacy issues, seek a greener and more ecological friendly life-style, and gain an increased awareness of the links between nutrition and health. This is especially true for adolescents and those in their 20-something years. That is the premise and purpose of Beverly Lynn Bennett's "Vegan Bits: Recipes For Singles", a compilation of one hundred specially designed recipes that emphasize local, organic, and seasonal ingredients in their composition and preparation. The vegan recipes range from Black Bean and Mango Salsa; Sun-Dried Tomato Falafels in Pitas; Supper-Size Stuffed Mushrooms; and Homemade Applesauce Your Way; to Lemon Bulgur and Broccoli; Golden Home-Style Biscuits; Classic Peanut Butter Cookies; and Dried Fruit, Nut, and Coconut Candies. "Vegan Bits" is distinguished from other vegan and vegetarian cookbooks in that the recipes are specifically tailored to those who are single and therefore especially appropriate for anyone living on their own or with a roommate -- but highly adaptable for having friends and family over for any dining occasion.

So far I've made three recipes from this cookbook and all of them have turned out quite well. I'm a beginning-level cook though I've been a vegan for years. I'm still a bit nervous in the kitchen now that I have to fend for myself but a book like this has made the transition to cooking on my own easier for me. My only gripe is the book is a bit disjointed and poorly edited. There's a pantry essentials section but no grocery shopping list and none of the recipes reference the essential items from the pantry so there's no continuity between the first and second parts of the book. The recipes are valuable and the dishes are quite tasty, I'll definitely make more of them...