3-Ingredient Cookbook

Many people feel intimidated by cooking because they believe it is a precise science that requires chef training. But good cooking is much more natural than that. It is about smelling, tasting, stirring, and adjusting until the food tastes right.

I created this book for people who believe they cannot cook, do not have much time, or simply want wholesome, home-prepared food without spending five hours making something complicated.

I began preparing vegan food 50 years ago when my daughter was born. She was allergic to dairy, and I was allergic to eggs. This was long before the word vegan was commonly used. We called ourselves vegetarians, but because of our allergies, we were actually eating a vegan diet.

As a single mother, I did not have time for lengthy preparation. I learned to make food quickly and simply—and I discovered that I could get my daughter and her friends to eat almost anything if I served it with a delicious sauce, dip, gravy, or dressing. A plate of raw vegetables disappeared when the dip was good. Salads were eaten when the dressing was loved. Even steamed vegetables became exciting when there was a flavorful sauce to pour over them.

Most of the recipes in this book require only stirring ingredients together. A few need brief cooking, but none are complicated. You do not need any exact measurements. Ingredients vary in flavor and strength, so good cooking cannot always be tied to a measuring spoon. Stir, taste, and decide whether you would like a little more of this or a little less of that.

My grandmother taught me to cook when I was very young. She had an organic farm, and whenever she served us something, she explained what it did for our bodies. I have carried that lesson throughout my life: food should not only taste good—it should help us become healthier. Food is your best medicine.

These simple recipes can make it easier for your family to enjoy more vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and other nourishing foods. Many people who have eaten my sauces, dips, and dressings over the years have begged me to write this book. So here you go.

I hope it brings greater ease, enjoyment, and health to your kitchen.