In spring and summer, there's nothing better than enjoying a meal outdoors with friends and family; today, al fresco dining has never been more popular, given the rise in popularity of gourmet takeout and prepared picnic baskets. For those who eschew all animal products, though, outdoor vegan meals usually consist of mundane veggie sandwiches and a fruit salad. But no more!

Carla Kelly is an accomplished vegan cook and baker with two previous cookbooks under her belt; she also loves to prepare delicious, casually elegant vegan meals for backyard barbecues, picnics in the park, or a party at the beach. Vegan al Fresco is loaded with beautiful appetizers such as Peanut Potato Salad and Tomato & Olive Tarts, inventive sandwiches including the Pita Po'Boys, and amazing grilled dishes like Sweet Chipotle Tempeh with Berries, and Cedar Planked Rosemary & Lemon Tofu; finish off your meal with Strawberry & Basil Scones, Maple & Walnut Cheesecake, or some crazy good vegan ice creams.

The book includes prep and cooking times for each recipe, as well as advice on portability, food safety issues, and menu suggestions for special occasions. For those with allergies, recipes that contain known allergens such as soy, nuts, and gluten are clearly marked. Full-colour throughout, Vegan al Fresco offers delectable and sophisticated ways for vegans to enjoy the great outdoors.

I started writing Regencies because of interest in the Napoleonic Wars. I like writing about warfare at sea and ordinary people of the British Isles, rather than lords and ladies. In my spare time I like to read British crime fiction and history, particularly the U.S. Indian Wars. I currently live in Utah. I'm a former park ranger, and double Rita Award and Spur Award winner. I have five interesting children and four grands. Favorite authors include Robert Crais and Richard Woodman.

Carla Kelly's profile page

If you've ever been invited to a potluck, summertime barbecue, or other outdoorsy meal, and found yourself fretting over what deliciously creative vegan dish you could possibly bring along with you, you're in expert hands: Carla Kelly offers a bounty of brilliant recipes in Vegan Al Fresco, with useful tips and beautiful photography to boot.
-Celine Steen, co-author of Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day! and Whole Grain Vegan Baking

Celine Steen

Vegan al Fresco is a must-have for those with a taste for eating outdoors. From backyard barbecues to picnics in the park, Carla's delicious recipes, helpful tips, and creative ideas give new meaning to "going out" to eat.
-Robin Robertson, bestselling author of Vegan Planet, One-Dish Vegan, Quick-Fix Vegan, and many more

Robin Robertson

With Vegan Al Fresco, you can have a moveable vegan feast! From appealing appetizers to decadent desserts, Carla Kelly's recipes ensure that the food for your backyard barbecue or picnic in the park will be a delicious success. She also has tons of useful tips for every other aspect of your outdoor event. And in case you're snowed in or rained out, this book is perfect for camp-ins and living room picnics.
-Gary Loewenthal, founder of the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale

Gary Loewenthal

Full of fresh, fun ideas and perfected classics, Carla has done it again with Vegan al Fresco. Recipes focus on playing up the delicious flavors that nature has to offer, maximizing flavor while minimizing the work. Best of all, the wide variety allows for mix-and-matching, making this book full of combinations that will make you the star at any gathering you go to, using readily available ingredients. Vegan al Fresco is a book about feeding delicious food to the people you love -- the fact that it's vegan is an added bonus.
-Kris Peters Holechek, author of 100 Best Vegan Baking Recipes

Kris Peters Holechek

Real food and easy-to-follow recipes which inspire creativity and health.
-Vanessa Mills, owner of Chomp Vegan Eatery

Vanessa Mills

Vegan picnic fare is so much more than PB&J sandwiches, chips, and fruit, and Carla Kelly's Vegan al Fresco proves that. From Samosa Spring Rolls and Cider-Battered Tofu to Pita Po' Boys and Brandied Tempeh Pate, Kelly takes the average picnic up quite a few notches. Plus, she includes ideas for non-food-related picnic activities (badminton, anyone?) and tips for bringing along your four-legged friends.
-Bianca Phillips, author of Cookin' Crunk: Eatin' Vegan in the Dirty South

Bianca Phillips

Vegan al Fresco is perfect for anyone looking for fresh ideas for outdoor entertaining. This recipe collection includes starters, entrees, snacks, desserts, and condiments that will please your meat-free and meat-loving guests. -Two Classy Chics

Two Classy Chics

Summer is sure to sparkle a little brighter with this awesome cookbook as your guide to outdoor dining. Whether you choose the backyard, nearby park, or cozy balcony as your dining venue, count on Carla Kelly to dish up a feast of melt-in-the-mouth recipes, great tips, and inventive suggestions for everything from finger foods, sandwiches, and grilled dishes to salads, breads, and enticing summer desserts. Vegan al Fresco is a must have!
-Zel Allen, author of Vegan for the Holidays and The Nut Gourmet, co-publisher of Vegetarians in Paradise

Zel Allen

Vegan Al Fresco will have you pining for picnics, and dreaming of warm summer days, where you can enjoy all of Carla Kelly's delicious and inventive recipes in the beautiful outdoors.
-Julie Hasson, author of Vegan Diner and Vegan Pizza

Julie Hasson

Vegan al Fresco is a joyous collection of recipes to entice both the novice and sophisticated cook. These dishes will dazzle at any outdoor affair, or move them inside for a rainy day picnic and seconds all year round.
-Victoria Moran, author of Main Street Vegan

Victoria Moran

Who doesn't enjoy dining outdoors when the weather is perfect? Vegan al Fresco offers a wide range of recipes you'll want to serve outside when gathering with your friends and family. The book also has photos that will certainly entice you to start cooking. -Vegetarian Journal

Vegetarian Journal

[Carla Kelly's] flavour combinations are bright and inspired. Several recipes feature tofu or tempeh, both soy products, as ingredients - there's a great Mojito-inspired tofu, for instance, and a recipe for maple tofu barbecue skewers that Kelly made for the first time for Canada Day a few years ago - but there's way more to the book. There are terrific grain and vegetable salads, spreads, salad dressings and finger food as well as recipes for muffins and desserts. Montreal Gazette

Montreal Gazette

Whether you are planning a family feast on the patio, or a romantic dinner on a blanket under the stars, Vegan al Fresco is packed with recipes that will fit the occasion. Cooking for a crowd, or your few closest friends, this book makes it easy and is a sure guide to successful entertaining.
-Tamasin Noyes, author of American Vegan Kitchen and Grills Gone Vegan, co-author of Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day and Whole Grain Vegan Baking

Tamasin Noyes

Vegan al Fresco is designed to equip cooks and diners with an arsenal of recipes idea for picnics, barbecues, road trips and all kinds of outdoor dining experiences ... For any vegan, this cookbook is a great addition to a collection, and for us omnivores, there are great ideas for meat-free meals, which we should all have in the rotation by now. The recipes are easy and straightforward, and the ingredients are available in most grocery stores. Definitely a cookbook worth picking up. -Rice and Bread

Rice and Bread

Whether you're looking to host a summer get-together, or wondering what to bring to a non-vegan cookout, Carla offers recipes for traditional fare with a unique twist. Packed with useful information and lovely photos, Vegan al Fresco will become a go-to cookbook for entertaining, barbecues, and picnics.
-Kelly Peloza, author of Cheers to Vegan Sweets and The Vegan Cookie Connoisseur

Kelly Peloza