This Good Food: Contemporary French Vegetarian Recipes from a Monastery Kitchen

I have owned this since 1994 and I am still getting great recipes from it. Last summer we made the garlic soup described in the book, and it tasted *exactly* like garlic soup we had recently had in El Escorial, Spain. And a few weeks ago I had a surplus of beets so I made the borscht recipe, and again it came our wonderfully. If you like simple, good food, buy this book.

This cookbook is by and far my favorite vegetarian book. My husband is a vegetarian but he hates beans. Finding a vegetarian cookbook whose recipes aren't nearly completely beans can be a challenge. The emphasis on fresh foods, foods in season, and hearty recipes makes this cookbook an excellent investment. Just reading it makes your mouth water! If I had to have one vegetarian cookbook in my collection, this would be it, hands down.

I cherish all of the books written by this author--there is only one that I do not have. He writes clearly and the recipes are easy to assemble and to follow. Because the ingredients used are fresh, the end result is delicious and hearty. All I can say is that the monks in this monastery eat VERY WELL!!!! They have a very talented Chef who obviously loves all aspects of his work and his vocation.

One of my friends bought this book and has allowed me to sample his cooking ... I recommend buying or associating with someone who owns and uses this book!!! The recipies are very good and healthy.

Those of us who love to cook sometimes love to just curl up with a cookbook on a quiet night and READ. this book is wonderful for these times... it is infused with a sense of calm, joy, peace, a love of nature and simple pleasures. I love how the recipes are arranged according to season, so that the ingredients and richness of the meals are in sync with changing weather and ingredients throughout the year. and reading the section about fresh herbs made me run out to the local garden center to buy basil. best of all, there's not a bad recipe in the bunch. unlike many vegetarian cooks who seem to want to smother everyhthign with cumin and miso, Brother Victor is a master of simplicity. the recipes have one or two perfectly chosen herbs to bring out natural flavors, subtly and iwth restraint. i highly recommend this book!