Garden Way's Joy of Gardening Cookbook

Garden Way's Joy of Gardening Cookbook by Janet Ballantyne is a classic that deserves space in any cookbook collection. I actually keep one at work too so I can grab and read up on a particular fruit, vegetable, or technique when the mood hits me! I, too, have collected cookbooks for 40+ years, and can't understand how anyone could NOT profit from this one! The color photos (there are hundreds) help understand equipment, technique, step by step instructions, and what the finished dish should look like. The information on prep and use hasn't changed. With more people planting gardens or buying from markets close to home, this is an invaluable guide to using produce. Some of my favorite recipes include: Pickled Beets & Purple Eggs (my grandpa used to fix these), Cabbage au Gratin, Strawberry Cheese Strudels, all of the herb recipes, such as Boursin Cheese, Cottage Cheese Herb Spread, Sour Cream Dill Dip, Herb Cheese Soup, Pesto, Italian Seasoning Mix; Thai Chicken in Lettuce Leaves, Garlic Cream Sauce for Pasta, Onion Spiral Bread, Hay & Straw (noodles, julienned ham, fresh peas, fresh parmesan, butter, and a bit of heavy cream), Fried Rice, Chiles Rellenos, Roasted/Marinated Peppers, the 6 potato salad variations, Smoked Pork Chops on a Potato Apple Bed, Sweet Potatoes in Ginger Honey Sauce, Pumpkin Orange Cheesecake, Creamed Spinach with Garlic, Zucchini Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Squash Apple Nut Bread, and the techniques for tomatoes-I make my own pizza sauce from my homegrown tomatoes, and use it to make a gigantic pizza that's fantastic. There's even a chapter on "Oddball" vegetables, and a shopping list chapter for ingredients you may want to keep on hand. While this book is light on fruits, it's heavy on ideas. Janet tells you what to do with the early harvests, the older (tougher, woodier) vegetables, and the best way to preserve each for storing. I really can't imagine any one not getting their money's worth from this book. In fact, I'm getting ready to order one for a gift now. Check this out, you'll be so glad you did. Janet also did a book on tomatoes, and Garden Way did a book called "Zucchini Cookbook and Other Squash" if you're interested. While out of print, they're worth tracking down. Enjoy!

Janet Ballantyne knew just how to put together a comprehensive information book about vegetables. As a person who grows my own vegetables, I found Ms. Ballantyne's tips about how to grow them, what to do if you are plagued by pests that are common, and the best way to cook them to get the most out of them to be the most valuable book on my cookbook shelf. Her do's and don't and why were enlightening. I have spent days reading the book from cover to cover. When I work in either my garden or my kitchen, I have a new confidence in enjoying the labors of my work thanks to this book. If you are an avid gardener who likes to get the best of out of what you plant, you should own this book.

Although out of print for many years, this book still contains many great recipes from Janet Ballantyne. It was first printed in 1984 and an anniversary edition was printed in 1994. Several of my favorite recipes, including vegetarian, are in this cookbook and I just bought a used one for my daughter.

Excellent book with great recipes & instructions on vegetables. Try the Mustard Lemon Potatoes it's a family favorite. Also a great gift idea for families w/ gardens

Excellent book with great recipes & instructions on vegetables. Try the Mustard Lemon Potatoes it's a family favorite. Also a great gift idea for families w/ gardens. Hey! Janet do another Cookbook about vegetables !