Vegetarian cooking came of age so long ago that we hardly notice that a dish is vegetarian unless we have made a choice to go without meats. Thanks to inventive cooks such as Robin Robertson, we enjoy good cooking on its own terms, whatever the ingredients.
In One-Dish Vegetarian Meals, Robertson collects the best recipes from her previous works, ones that will serve our frenetic lifestyles by simplifying procedures, not compromising ingredients or health awareness.
In the introduction, Robertson states, "The recipes in this book complement our busy lifestyles and our desire to eat healthful and great-tasting food without a lot of fuss. These full-flavored vegetarian dishes are economical, simple to prepare, and a pleasure to eat. The versatile recipes work equally well for simple weeknight dinners or for causal entertaining. Many of the dishes can be made ahead and popped in the oven to heat just before mealtime." Creating recipes inspired by our global awareness of food, Robertson offers Soups and Stews, Main-Dish Salads, Baked Dishes, Pastas,
Stir-Fried and Sautes, Stovetop Simmers and Hearty Chili's. All of the recipes are health-aware and packed with good nutrition.
One of the best chapters is titled Super=Speedy Meals and there is no compromise on quality in these recipes. You will find quick meals such as Penne with Tomatoes, Chickpeas, and Mint , Tofu Ravioli with Baby Spinach and Pine Nuts, Jamaican-Style Rice and "Peas" (actually red kidney beans.The recipes are rapid, but the healthful aspect of the recipes has not been overlooked and there is no reliance on bottled sauces of dubious ingredients to destroy the goodness of the food. For strict vegetarians, there are many tofu recipes as well as tempeh recipes, and many combine grain and bean to maximize the availability of protein. Robertson's eye to nutrition frees the cook.
Among the recipes are :
- Lime-Dressed Vermicelli with Green Papaya and Peanuts
- Ziti with Arugula and Fava Beans
- Lemony Chard-Stuffed Shells
- Baked Polenta with Red Beans and Fresh Tomato Salsa
- Indian-Spiced Vegetables over Basmati Rice
- Orange and Thyme-Scented Chili
Robertson has included a brief guide to vegetarian ingredients in the introduction. It includes and easily read guide to cooking different varieties of rice as well as a separate guide to cooking varieties of beans yet another guide to cooking different grains.
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