Synopses & Reviews
Some of the most creative new minds in the kitchen and the most exhilarating new voices in food writing come from the world of blogs. Michael Natkin, creator of the wildly popular Herbivoracious.com, indisputably fits both of those descriptions. In
Herbivoracious: A Vegetarian Cookbook for People Who Love to Eat, Natkin offers up 150 exciting recipes (most of which have not appeared on his blog) notable both for their big, bold, bright flavors and for their beautiful looks on the plate, the latter apparent in more than 80 four-color photos that grace the book. This is sophisticated, grown-up meatless cooking, the kind you can serve to companyand#8212;even when your guests are dedicated meat-eaters. and#160; An indefatigable explorer of global cuisines, with particular interests in the Mediterranean and the Middle East and in East and Southeast Asia, Natkin has crafted, through years of experimenting in his kitchen and in loads of intensive give-and-take with his blog readers, dishes that truly are revelations in taste, texture, aroma, and presentation. A third of the book is taken up with hearty main courses, ranging from a robust Caribbean Lentil-Stuffed Flatbread across the Atlantic to a comforting Sicilian Spaghetti with Pan-Roasted Cauliflower and around the Cape of Good Hope to a delectable Sichuan Dry-Fried Green Beans and Tofu. An abundance of soups, salads, sauces and condiments, sides, appetizers and small plates, desserts, and breakfasts round out the recipes. and#160; Natkin, a vegetarian himself, provides lots of advice on how to craft vegetarian meals that amply deliver protein and other nutrients, and the imaginative menus he presents deliver balanced and complementary flavors, in surprising and utterly pleasing ways. The many dozens of vegan and gluten-free recipes are clearly noted, too, and an introductory chapter lays out the simple steps readers can take to outfit a globally inspired pantry of seasonings and sauces that make meatless food come alive.
Review
"Michael Natkin has a talent for enticing and boldly flavored creations, in recipes that are colorful, thoughtful, and fresh!" --Heidi Swanson and#160; "If we had to choose one book to cook from in 2012, this would be it." --The Washington Post
Synopsis
Madhur Jaffrey draws on more than four decades of culinary adventures, travels, and experimentation to create this diverse collection of more than 650 vegetarian recipes featuring dishes from five continents. Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian exemplifies Madhur's unsurpassed ability to create simple, flavorful homecooking that is well within the reach of every cook. Extensive sections on beans, vegetables, grains, and dairy explore the myriad ways these staples are enjoyed worldwide. Madhur balances appealing, uncomplicated dishes such as sumptuous omelets and rich polentas with less familiar ingredients such as green mangoes, pigeon peas, and spelt. She demystifies the latter with clear-cut explanations so that incorporating new combinations and interesting flavors into everyday cooking becomes second nature. She also offers substantial sections on soups, salads, and drinks, as well as sauces and other flavorings, to help round out a meatless meal and add exciting new flavors to even the most easily prepared dishes.
Each section opens with a detailed introduction, where Madhur describes methods for preparation and storage, as well as different cooking techniques and their cultural origins. And a complete glossary of ingredients and techniques clarifies some of the little-known elements of the world's cuisines so that even the uninitiated can bring the flavors of Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and more to their tables.
Throughout this extensive collection, Madhur includes personal anecdotes and historical contexts that bring her recipes to life, whether she's remembering field of leeks she saw in the mountains of northern Greece or describing how corn-based dishes arrived in Indonesia through colonial trade.
Committed vegetarians will rejoice at the wide variety of meatless fare Madhur offers, and nonvegetarians will enjoy experimenting with her global flavorings. This highly readable resource promises to be a valuable addition to any cook's library, helping everyone make healthful ethnic foods a part of everyday cooking.
Synopsis
Some of the most creative new minds in the kitchen and the most exhilarating new voices in food writing come from the world of blogs. Michael Natkin, creator of the wildly popular Herbivoracious.com, indisputably fits both of those descriptions. In Herbivoracious: A Vegetarian Cookbook for People Who Love to Eat, Natkin offers up 150 exciting recipes (most of which have not appeared on his blog) notable both for their big, bold, bright flavors and for their beautiful looks on the plate, the latter apparent in more than 80 four-color photos that grace the book. This is sophisticated, grown-up meatless cooking, the kind you can serve to companyand#8212;even when your guests are dedicated meat-eaters.
About the Author
Michael Natkin is the author of the immensely popular and award-winning vegetarian blog Herbivoracious. The author of the bi-weekly column and#8220;Serious Meatlessand#8221; on the Serious Eats website, heand#8217;s known for a cutting-edge, light and healthy, beautiful-on-the-plate style of vegetarian cooking. He is one of only nine members on the and#8220;Chefs and Expertsand#8221; panel of AOLand#8217;s Kitchen Daily. He is a charter member of the and#8220;Gourmet Live Socialvores,and#8221; and he has been listed in four consecutive years on Saveurand#8217;s and#8220;Sites We Love.and#8221; Heand#8217;s known in the blogging community as a crack photographer, and his photos are regularly featured on TasteSpotting, foodgawker, and other sites. He lives in Seattle with his wife and two daughters.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments Introduction Some Notes about Ingredients Some Notes about Equipment Appetizers and Small Dishes Soups Salads Main Course Sandwiches and Tacos Main Course Pasta and Noodle Dishes Main Courses: From the Stovetop Main Courses: From the Oven Side Dishes Desserts Breakfast Sauces, Condiments, and Basic Recipes Measurement Equivalents Index