BOOK REVIEW: ” Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone” by Deborah Madison

Just as I am excited to grow the vegetables in the garden, I am excited to use the recipes in my vegetarian cookbook.  I purchased this book with the money I received from my YMCA workout buddies after I had surgery.  I thought it to be a fitting use of money from my fitness minded friends!  “Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone”, by Deborah Madison, has turned out to be a great investment.

Packed full with 1,400 recipes, there is something for everyone.  Whether you are a vegetarian, or like myself, just love vegtables, this book covers it all.  I especially like the information offered about nearly every vegtable, for example, page 430 – 431 offers a wealth of information about tomatoes, their types, what to look for, how to store, how to use, special handling instructions and information on quantity.  It comes complete with illustrations on peeling, seeding and chopping tomatoes.

There are recipes using nearly every vegetable imaginable, including a pasta section providing recipes such as Spinach Fettuccine with Arugula and Tomatoes, Fusilli with Garden Vegetables and Tarragon, and Broken Lasagne with Fried Green Tomatoes and Parsley, to name just a few.  I can’t wait to try the Green Herb Tart complete with Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses.

Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone includes chapters on grains, eggs and breads.  In other words, if it doesn’t include meat, the recipe is probably in there!!  The book also comes with credentials, winner of the Julia Child Cookbook Award, and Book of the Year, as well as the James Beard Foundation Award for Excellence, “Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone, is truly for everyone, novice or experienced. 

I CAN’T WAIT TO GET HARVESTING AND COOKING MY VEGETABLES!!!