How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Simple Meatless Recipes for Great Food
How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Simple Meatless Recipes for Great Food: member book reviews
For my vegetarian wife and my non-vegetarian self, this is our go-to daily cookbook. It's got a huge range of recipes, and the style is such that Bittman shows a basic version, followed by a load of variations on the theme. This has not only proved useful day-to-day, but has also taught me how to be a better cook. The accompanying text is informative and thorough, and most of the recipes we've tried have come out delicious. My only complaint? The binding is glued, so our copy is falling apart about 2-3 years in.
friederike from Berlin,
I'm going to make myself unpopular: I don't like this book, for the simple reason that more than half of the recipes I prepared (well, 3 out of 5) turned out badly. Sure, the book in itself is very informative, with all the information given on ingredients, techniques, etc., and I applaud the suggested variations - but given the vast amount or recipes and variations I doubt that they have been tested and revised properly.
Queezle_Sister from Salt Lake City, UT
This cookbook is an excellent reference, and I keep it right next to my copy of Joy of Cooking.
This book's chapters cover basic technical information (e.g. equipment, techniques, ingredients) and the recipes are organized into salads, soups, eggs & cheese, vegetables & fruits, pasta, grains, legumes, tofu etc, breads etc, sauces, and desserts.
What I like the most about this cookbook is that each basic recipe is followed by a list of suggested variations. I think this cookbook empowers the home cook to become comfortable enough to follow their instincts and be able to go into the kitchen and simply cook (without recipes).
I requested this book as a Christmas gift to encourage me to cook with more grains. I've found the recipes to be somewhat variable, but generally dependable and very good.
mandelicious from ,
This book is a great reference for the basics. If I want a straight-forward recipe for pizza crust, pasta sauce, or whatever vegetable is cheap at the grocery store, this is where I look first. Bittman provides thousands of recipes, and walks you through fundamental techniques. The recipes aren't fancy, but are great for daily meals. Most recipes rely on easy-to-find ingredients, and symbols denote recipes that are fast or can be made in advance.
Cooks looking for recipes to impress may be disappointed, but for me, this is one of the most consulted cookbooks on my bookshelf.
davamunn from Concord, MA
I use this book for basic recipes. The great thing about Bittman is he encourages people to try things out.
I use the vinaigrette recipe all the time (I never buy bottled dressing anymore).
Other recipes I've tried and loved are Barley Pilaf, Butternut Squash--Braised and Glazed (Thai Style),
Braised Winter Squash in Caramel Sauce, and various bean recipes.
His buying guides and general cooking techniques are very helpful.
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