In the last year or so, the Happy Pear have gradually seeped into my consciousness. I’d heard them mentioned by Riverford, Jamie Oliver, in the press and through various food bloggers, but I’d never seen any of their recipes. I’m now the happy owner of their latest book The World of the Happy Pear, to be published soon, on 2nd June. To celebrate National Vegetarian Week, I’m excited to say, I also have two copies of the book to giveaway.
So, in case you’ve been indulging your hermit fantasies on a remote island, The Happy Pear refer to twins, Stephen and David Flynn. Independently of each other, they saw the light and became vegetarians in their twenties. Since then it’s been a never ending journey of learning to live healthier and happier lives. They opened their cafe, The Happy Pear, in their home town of Greystones, County Wicklow, Ireland some ten years ago.
So, what did I think? I loved it the moment I got a chance to look inside the book. The ethos and recipes are right up my street. For a start, there’s no mention of “clean eating” and eggs and dairy, whilst limited in their use, have not been banned. The recipes are fresh and exciting, but also simple and nutritious, featuring plenty of vegetables and wholefoods. I found the twins’ enthusiastic style both appealing and infectious. I definitely get the idea they believe in what they do.
As in all right thinking cookbooks, this one started with my favourite meal of the day, breakfast. Corn fritters with an avocado salsa caught my eye immediately, but I got most excited about their Vegan Full Irish. At last, a cookbook that uses tempeh. CT used to make tempeh and it’s one of my most favourite things; it has a wonderful texture and good umami flavour. We’ve not really been in a position for him to make it over the last few years, but now we’ve got my rather wonderful dehydrator, it might be on the cards again – put it like this, I’m working on him!
The book then goes on to cover recipes for soups, salads, mains, snacks, dips & fabulous extras and then finishes with my favourite bit: the sweet stuff. What can I say? I’ve bookmarked heaps of the recipes and I’m pretty certain they’ll all be good, although I draw a line at spicy millet and mushroom burgers. I’ve tried, but millet and I do not get on. Rather more engaging is the grilled halloumi burger with chilli ketchup and tahini mayo – now they’re talking.
Most of the sweet stuff is raw, but no less appealing for that. I definitely have my eye on the lemon and lime avocado mousse cake. Strangely, they had a recipe for chocolate cookie dough balls, which is very similar to one I’ve made recently and will be posting shortly. I like to think it’s a case of great minds! The chocolate fudge cake is baked, but made with white spelt flour rather than wholemeal, which I found slightly disappointing. Nevertheless, it sounds totally lush.
As I had some Swiss chard in need of using in the fridge, I had a go at making their coconut chana masala with spinach almost straight away. I substituted the spinach for Swiss chard, obviously. As I expected, it was totally delicious. Creamy, spicy and very satisfying. We ate it with some brown basmati rice. That’s my picture, not theirs.
Although the book is first and foremost a recipe book, there are anecdotes and tips for healthy living scattered throughout. Getting plenty of exercise and managing stress are obviously important to the twins and I for one could certainly benefit from both. It was good to get some reminders.
At the back of the book is a great section on some of their favourite ingredients and how to use them. I know when I first came across nutritional yeast, for instance, I didn’t really know what to do with it, other than to make tofu scramble. Here we are told it’s particularly useful for vegans, because not only does it impart a “cheesy” taste to many dishes, but it’s also a good source of vitamin B12 and beneficial bacteria.
Like many modern cookbooks, pictures of the authors abound. Handsome as they are, I could, quite frankly, do with less of them. They have, however, been flagged by The Times as “the poster boys for a healthy way of life”, so I guess it’s not too surprising in this instance. The photographs were taken by Alistair Richardson and the food images are all bright, clear and very appealing.
The World of the Happy Pear by Stephen & David Flynn is published by Penguin as a hardback and retails at £18.99.
World of the Happy Pear Giveaway x 2
Penguin has kindly agreed to give two Tin and Thyme readers a copy of The World of the Happy Pear. To be in with a chance of winning, please fill in the Gleam widget below. You will need to leave a comment on this post, answering the question, which then gives you additional chances to enter if you so wish. Gleam will pick a winner at random from the entries received. If you are commenting anonymously, please give me some way of identifying you as I will be verifying the validity of entries. Any automated entries will be disqualified. This giveaway is only open to those with a UK postal address. Winners will need to respond within 7 days of being contacted. Failure to do this may result in another winner being picked.
I love potato and spinach curry….it’s tasty, healthy, easy and cheap!
I love ratatouille, its such a warm and comforting dish, very versatile, I serve it with crusty bread, cous cous or in a veggie lasagna.
My favourite vegetarian recipe is Lentil Lasagne because I love the taste and I always find it so comforting with fond memories of my mum 🙂
My Mum makes a fantastic vegetarian version of a bolognese-style dish (not with quorn, just lots of veg) and so flavoursome. Always reminds me of summer 🙂
Mushroom Strogonoff. Because I love mushrooms and creamy sauces and tastes lovely 🙂
My favourite would have to be a vegetarian curry, with a vegetable Biriyani. Yum.
Caramalised onions, melted mozzarella and roasted vegetables in a pancake – yummytastic
Ooh I do like the sound of your Pancakes Ruth. Will have to try.
Vegetarian Lasange – Quick, easy and everyone eats it
I love roasted root vegetable curry with fresh coriander and ginger brown rice because it uses wholesome fresh vegetables and makes it the centre of a an amazing spicy dish
Sounds delicious, I particularly like the idea of ginger brown rice.
Cauliflower cheese, it’s always a favourite, is comforting and tastes great
Probably sweetcorn and kidney bean curry with chappati – totally delicious!
Can’t go wrong with a pea and broad bean risotto with lots of parmesan, so hearty and filling 🙂
Roasted peppers stuffed with cous cous is delicious and a hit with all the family, even my 3 year old!
my favourite veggi meal (excuse my spellings) is Rattatwee (I know its wrong) because just love to add a variety of vegetables for taste and texture.
I made a delicious custard and fresh fruit tart which was delicious and one of my favourite recipes
I enjoy a vegetable biryani – a great way to use up all the tiny potatoes in the veg crop.
i love veggie burgers and kids love them too very tasty
has to be a vegetable curry because it full of healthy foods yet still filling xx
Vegetarian chilli because I like the mild spice and love beans and sweet potato which I always add to it x
I love vegetarian lasangne as you cna use lots of veg and fill it with flavour
I love a Vegetarian lasagne, thank you for the chance to win x
I love homity pie, very yummy especially served with salad xx
Vegetable Lasange, as delicious and filling. Great with a side salad.
Love a vegetarian lasagne
Love vegetarian cannelloni so yummy love aubergines in it adds that extra yumminess
We love pumpkin, feta and filo pie because it’s so tasty with a crispy topping and goes well with salad in Summer or steamed veg and tomato sauce in Winter.
Ooh, you’ve totally sold me on this one Sue. Really want to try your pie now.
I love mushroom risotto
Halloumi with griddled vegetables is delicious
Root vegetable curry – even though the family is not vegetarian we all love this.
I love Vegetarian lasagne, simply because you can pack so much flavour in it .x
Rose Elliott’s lentil soup recipe. Easy peasy and wholesome.
Love making falafels with a nice fresh salad (and veggies from the garden!)
I love vegetable soups, especially butter-nut squash and leek and potato.
Beekman Boys’ Tomato Tart
I really love Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni
I love roasted vegetable and feta pesto pasta
Vegetable Lasange, yum!
roasted vegetables with black pepper and coriander
Vegetarian Lasagne
I love the vegetarian lasagne I make with spinach and creme fraiche
i love vegetarian lasagne, thank you
I love a home made leek, potato & onion soup.
I like making vegetarian quesadillas with refried beans and topped with lots of veggies as it’s a perfect way to use up veggies on hand
A stir fry as is packed with lots of colours.
My lot took a lot of persuasion to try veggie meals but now they love them. Quorn Moussaka and home made Glamorgan Sausages are always a hit.
Well done for persisting Natalie. I haven’t made Glamorgan sausages for years. Thanks for reminding me.
At the moment it’s vegetable stir fry with Udon noodles. With cashew nuts and toasted sesame seeds and spiced roasted cauliflower. It takes delicious, is cheap and easy to make
i love vegetarian lasagne – its easy to make and its fairly cheap too!
i love quorn pieces with pasta and cheese sauce. its easy to make and tastes delicious
Beans on toast. I know it’s not fancy or difficult to make, but it’s always comforting and tasty.
Beans on toast … It’s so quick and easy. I also love bean toasties, with a bit of cheese … Mmmmm
vegetable lasagna. xx
I love Spicy courgette pitta pockets, I found these on a website a few weeks ago and now I can’t stop eating them soo good
This book looks fab i’d love to have my own copy. I’m a big fan of the happy pair guys, my mum introduced me to them a few months ago and I love their instagram feed.
My partner’s yummy garlicky mushroom and tomato sauce for pasta. Really tasty and handy for if my vegan daughter visits.
My favourite vegetarian recipe is stuffed bell peppers with rice and mushroom. 🙂
carrot cake is yummy
A simple mixed bean stew – so comforting, filling, healthy and seems to go down well with everyone (even the kids!).
great review love anything to do with pasta finger cross thank u for the chance
Love homity pie, so simple but so tasty. Xx
Looks like some nice recipes inside. My fave (and easy go to) is risotto. So versatile.
vegetable lasagne
Vegetarian Lasagne because you can add so many different items to it
I like cauliflower cheese with green salad as it is tasty and filling but not stodgy
i love veggie lasagnes. And veggie chilli too. Fab fab x
i love salads and anything with them
My favourite is my Thai green curry with puffed tofu. It is absolutely lovely and looks impressive but I have to say it’s not my amazing culinary skills make it that way, it’s a great recipe I have that although made entirely from scratch is really easy to do.
Love Thai green curry Caroline, but you now have me intrigued and wondering what puffed tofu is.
My favourite vegetarian recipe or dish is a lovely old fashioned cheese and tomato pizza with a myriad of veggie toppings like mushrooms, peppers, and even chilli’s. It’s one of those great foods that everyone sems to enjoy equally and you never feel like you are missing out on anything. x
ive always liked Vegetarian Lasagne plus it helps that my son eats it too
Vegan spinach and coconut curry with rice and salad and vegan yogurt
i love macaroni cheese, its simple to make filling and tasty !
Like ElizM I am also a soup maker and love using vegetables to make a tasty nutritious soup
I’m a soup maker so I love using fresh vegetables to create beautiful soups. My favourite is Jerusalem artichoke with parmesan – earthy, nutty and creamy.
Ooh yes, I’m a fan of Jerusalem artichoke soup too 🙂
vegetarian pizza
Vegetarian Lasagne with garlic bread because you can make it with anything x
Roasted vegetables, quiches and I love salads
macaroni cheese – because my mum would always make it for me
I love to cook vegetarian rainbow bowls, filled with different kinds of cooked/raw veggies, grains, beans, usually hummus or guacamole!
Ooh, I like bowl food and am now quite familiar with the term Buddha bowls, but I’ve not heard of rainbow bowls – fab name.
cant beat cauliflower cheese so yummy
I love their chocolate mousse so tasty and much healthier than normal mousse. I would love to try out all their new recipes.
All of their new recipes Leona? That would be some going. But I know what you mean 🙂
I’ve been seeing loads about the Happy Pear boys, love to flick through the cookbook and be inpired
After hearing so much myself, it was great to get my hands on a copy of one of their books and I do like their style.
Vegetable curry – I make it every second week as a Thursday dinner, I like the taste of it 🙂
I love quiche with new potatoes & green salad. Not only is it summery, which is a joy, but it is a good meal that is not too filling.
Thanks for a fantastic giveaway, the book looks AMAZING!!!
Lentil and Chickpea Chilli. It’s so versatile, serve over jacket potatoes, rice, cous cous, fill wraps etc and it always taste even better the next day.
My favourite vegetarian recipe is my home made vegetable lasagne, made with whatever veg is growing in the garden.
I’ve wanted this book for ages… they are rather charming looking aren’t they? Great review. My fave veggie recipe is a veggie hot pot. Warm, hearty, healthy and full of the goodness of vegetables!
Thanks Dom. I’ve heard they are very charming in person too. Good luck.
For just ‘picking’ I quite often have garlic breaded mushrooms, I find i can eat these whenever & it makes a change from ‘sarnies’ at lunch
My favourite vegetarian recipe is shepardless pie made with soya mince, carrots, mushrooms, onion, gravy, mashed potato and violyfe cheese – yum! 🙂
Vegetable risotto is one of my favourite veggie dishes. Last week we made one with a.o. fresh asparagus and kohlrabi (remember to put a good splash of white wine in !) and, as we were in Denmark, a few slices of Blue Castello on top of it all.
That sounds like an interesting combination Henk and not one I’d have thought to try. Risotto is usually a winner.
Love a vegetarian lasagne, full of spinach and peas with a gorgeous cheesy topping
Love making a roasted vegetable lasagne – do cheat with readymade sauce but then it’s so easy to do x
My favourite is stilton and leek lasagne which is really tasty and satisfying.
I really like wholemeal pasta with pesto, broccoli, asparagus and broad beans.. mix in some yeast flakes and that makes it cheesy.. yummy
I love the Spanish chickpea and potato bake from the first Happy Pear book, but at the moment I’m loving the (often very) spicy dishes from Jackie Kearney’s Vegan Street Food book – I highly recommend her Assam Laksa Noodle dish, it’s so tasty and really quick to rustle up, even after work
Happy pear Spanish potato and olive and chick pea bake thing
A pasta bake with loads of different veg where the pasta cooks in the sauce because it’s a really easy comfort food dish which is still healthy
Tempura. I love fried food. It’s my dream to be sat at the table impatiently instead hunched over the pot of hot oil taking orders and never getting to taste them.
I love mushroom risotto
I discovered Spinach lasagne and at friends dinner party and surprisingly I fell in love with it! She is a veggie and won’t cook meat so it was a delicious alternative! I even got the recipe from her so I can make it myself.
Vegetarian Lasagne because you can adapt it to what you have left over in your fridge 🙂
Vegetarian moussaka – We’re not vegetarians but this is so delicious my hubby doesn’t even notice!!
Vegan shepherdess pie – with sweet potato, potato and vegan cheese mash topping. I tend to use whatever veg needs using up, together with passata, mixed beans, lentils, onions, etc. It’s never quite the same twice – but unbelievably tasty.
I like to cook vegetable lasagna. It’s easy, tasty and filling and my family love it which is always a bonus.
I am a massive fan of mixed salads, and like to include them with mushroom quiche or cheese and onion pasties
I love these two! I’ve been following them on Instagram for a while now, this book (and recipe!) look fab!
Really enjoying the book Sus and will now proceed to follow them on Instagram 🙂
Great, honest review!
I really love cauliflower pie. It is wholemeal pastry filled with cooked cauliflower, thick homemade tomato sauce and lots of grated cheese. I love it because it is so tasty and filling.
Ooh, I like the sound of that Margaret 🙂
I love vegetable chilli – hot and spicy and low calorie too!