Rebar: Modern Food Cookbook

If you like food, you'll like this cookbook. While most of the recipes require a bit of effort (if it was a lot of effort, I wouldn't make them, believe me!) they are WELL worth it. If you need convincing, try the peanut butter bar dessert, everyone one who has tried it has been putty in my hands. This book is NOT only for the vegetarians out there, add some chicken or beef instead of the tofu and you have a fantastic dish (although this cookbook DID turn me on to tofu!!!).

I bought this cookbook on a whim, hoping that the food would be as good as it sounded. I first tried the bagel with brie, toasted almonds, and a smidgen of honey, and I added a dried apricots and tried it on bread and crackers instead of a bagel--divine! The wild mushroom ravioli (with squash and leeks in a citrus, white wine, sage and cranberry sauce) wowed all my roomates and we spent hours at this meal savoring every bite. We tried the Greek Red Lentil Soup with Feta, and it was savory but we made it with a bit too much water. I have had better red lentil soups.Finally, the best recipe of all is the Roasted Yam and Garlic Soup. Yams, tomatoes, garlic and peppers are roasted in the oven for the base of the soup, and it was made heavenly by the chipotle puree, maple syrup and lime juice. This soup has made everyone who has tried it drop their jaw in amazement. The recipes can be time consuming; the soup took a few hours to prepare (because all the veggies had to be roasted), but everything is well worth it. Using the freshest ingredients will make the meals even better. This cookbook is such a gem and is my absolute favorite.

The recipes in this book are unique and delicious. I have made close to 20 of the recipes with great success. We are not vegetarians but rather just healthy eaters and this book has served us well. Bright flavors and inventive cuisine. I've had great fun with this discovery. Favorites: Santa Fe Pasta Salad (WOW!!),Roasted Vegetable Pasticcio,Orange Yogurt Hotcakes. This is a fun way to jazz up your kitchen as you move into the lighter fare of summer.

I missed Rebar when I left Victoria, having eaten there since it was a small counter on lower Johnston street. Imagine my delight when my mother mailed me this cookbook. Now everyone who eats at our house eats from the Rebar cookbook. I've managed to impress even those who find potatoes a little too exotic, as well as those who couldn't imagine a meal without a big hunk of flesh on their plates.With only a few exceptions I've been able to find almost every ingredient (and I live in a tiny town). They are also good about substituting for more common items.And delicious vegan brownies that aren't an oxymoron? Need I say more....

This book is filled with recipes drawn from the restaurant (of the same name) menu. They appear to have been extensively tested - not one has failed me - and I'm not the greatest cook. The more exotic ingredients can easily be found in major centres - often in my local supermarket. I have eaten at the restaurant many times - it's a very popular one in Victoria, BC. The book captures the atmosphere of the place - unique, funky, and friendly. I have a 2nd edition, and have not found any errors; those noted by others must have been fixed. I highly recommend this book for those wanting to make sophisticated, healthy food.