Passionate Vegetarian

This book is a must for every vegetarian (and vegan, too) out there who spends time in the kitchen wondering what to do about the next meal. I am not a total vegetarian and, to be honest, I tend to be a very lazy cook, but the recipes in "The Passionate Vegetarian" are clear and simple enough for even someone like me to follow...and the taste rewards are enormous. Crescent Dragonwagon has convinced me that I don't have to rely on a rather bland diet to eat meatless meals, and she has dishes here that stack up better than anything I've enjoyed at the homes of great vegetarian cooks and the best vegetarian restaurants. I am kind of a picky eater, but there is so much in this golconda of vegetarian delights that I could probably eat these meals the rest of my life. This book has made a great gift for my vegetarian friends and relatives (hint: if you give this to them, they will cook up some of Crescent's delights for you!). Try the sweet potatoes with Grand Mariner in orange cups and you'll never forget it. The cabbage/apple kugel is to die for, as is the deviled corn and tomato pudding. If I were rich enough to hire a full-time cook, this is the one cookbook I'd give to that person. For vegetarians, a must -- for everyone who loves food, it's also wonderful. And the author's wry and profound reflections on life are an added bonus. Great writing, great cooking and great eating!

The Passionate Vegetarian is one of the all-time best cookbooks I have come across in 30 years of vegetarian cooking. Its sheer length alone (1110 pages) promises hundreds of recipes from which to choose, but as you thumb through the pages, reading and ultimately preparing individual recipes, you see the creativity, knowledge and attention to detail that the author, Crescent Dragonwagon, has put into each page. In addition to the recipes, when appropriate, she includes descriptive sections, usually no longer than a page, for items the reader may not be familiar with or just be interested in reading more about, such as umeboshi, polenta or celery root. Occasionally, a very helpful "suggested menu" will appear in the side margin next to a particular recipe. The book is very well indexed and each recipe is introduced with a little bit of history and anecdotal background to bring it alive. The best thing about this cookbook however is the recipes. This book has a fantastic array of choices that are incredibly inventive. So often I will page through a cookbook, see one or two interesting recipes, but be for the most part unimpressed. I love the variety and imaginative nature of the dishes in this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates good food, vegetarian and meat eater alike.