The Gracias Madre Cookbook

The fresh, bright flavors of Mexico and Southern California, adapted for the plant-based home cook, from one of L.A.’s favorite restaurants.

It’s no surprise that Gracias Madre has its roots in giving gratitude. Gracias Madre means thank you, Mother in Spanish, and the phrase encapsulates the mission of this Cali-Mexican eatery, which is to serve the L.A. community and give people fresh food made with integrity from ingredients grown with love. Go figure that, in California, love is a taco.

Mexican food is, in many ways, one of the original vegan cuisines. Before the Spanish conquistadores brought with them new ingredients, including many dairy products, the Mexican pantry centered on what’s called “The Three Sisters” in Mesoamerican culture: beans, corn, and chiles. By embracing these workhorses, layering in chile- and spice-filled salsas and moles, and experimenting with creative whole-food twists on traditional meat fillings (mushroom carnitas and al pastor, jackfruit mixiote, dehydrated hibiscus) as well as nut-based cheeses (cashew crema and queso blanco, almond cotija), Gracias Madre’s menu is filled with well-loved Cali-Mexican classics. With 125 simple, entirely plant-based recipes for the home cook, including Calabaza and Onion Quesadillas, Coliflor with Cashew Nacho Cheese, and Coffee Flan, The Gracias Madre Cookbook is a vegetable-forward dive into one of the world’s most delicious cuisines.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs