Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

[LGBurns]

I just received this book for Christmas. (I just got it this week--long story. Moral is don't send Christmas presents by U.S. mail to Chicago!) Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has recommendations from it. With 1400 recipes facing me I'm a little overwhelmed as to where to begin, but since I still haven't gotten my April CL, grrrrr http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/mad.gif I thought I'd use some of my cooking energy on my new book! Any great finds from this book out there? Thanks!

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[valchemist]

Oh boy, you are gonna love this cookbook! Such a wealth of information on grains, beans, veggies, etc. And the recipes are wonderful.

The recipe I have made over and over is the Eggplant Parmesan on page 279. It is not like a regular eggplant parm because the eggplant isn't breaded. It is so yummy. In fact this might be the answer to question #2 in the poll on signature dishes. My DH loves this. When I first started dating him, he told me his sister made the best eggplant parm he has ever tasted. Now his opinion has changed. I make it with the Quick Tomato Sauce on page 63. I also use more fresh basil than is called for, just because I love basil.

Another recipe we love is the Ziti with Sharp Cheddar and Mushrooms, page 463. It calls for a heaping tablespoon of prepared mustard, but I use a lot more (3 or 4 tablespoons) because the mustard flavor is what makes this dish so great.

I would love to hear what others have to say because there are so many recipes in the book that I have been meaning to try. I would love to be pushed over the edge with a good review or two!

Valerie

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[This message has been edited by valchemist (edited 04-01-2001).]

[junietoo]

I make a lot of risottos and the mushroom broth and risotto in this book is the best!

This book is an essential for every kitchen. Both of my children are moving into their own apartments this year and it's one of the two cookbooks we're giving them to get started (the other is the revised Joy of Cooking.)

[ElinorC]

Deborah Madison has had sections in many CL issues and the recipes are great. I'd love the cookbook.

[Mousie29]

Just bought this on half.com, like new condition for $14 including shipping. Thanks for the good info and I'd LOVE to hear more.

[valchemist]

Another great recipe is the Tossed Spinanch Lasagna Goat Cheese Gratin on page 465. It calls for fresh spinach pasta. I couldn't find any, and I didn't want to make it on my own (even though there is a recipe in the book) so I just used regular pasta and the recipe came out wonderfully. My sister, who recommended that I try this recipe, has made it with the fresh spinach pasta and she just loves it.

Can anyone else provide reviews on recipes from this book? Thanks...

Valerie

[Cory]

I just bought this book a couple of weeks ago & I've been thrilled with every recipe I've tired:

Choppped salad (add lettuce to salad) with feta dressing
Carrot salad with parsley & mint
Walnut oil vinaigrette
Artichoke
Baked eggplant with tomatoes & feta
Basic miso soup

I'm making the zucchini frittata tonight

[lorilei]

I have not even BEGUN to scratch the surface of this cookbook (it's MASSIVE!) -- but it has proven itself to me already. Every single recipe I've tried has been superb!

First and foremost, read her introduction to the book. She says plenty about the virtues of organic foods, the basics of cooking... and she even talks about wine pairings for vegetarian foods. Her recipes are versatile, and most of them can be adapted for meat-eaters without a whole lot of effort.

As for recipes I've tried... there's plenty of both the unusual and the familiar. Her techniques are easy to follow and she makes every recipe sound delicious!

A few to note (as well as the ones mentioned above in other posts):

Her spanish potatoes with saffron, almonds and bread crumbs make a great side dish (though I'll confess I've even eaten them as a main course with a nice salad!)

The potato and chickpea stew is flavorful and homey -- in fact, her chickpea recipes in general are just outstanding (try the Spicey Ginger Chickpeas!)

Her spanish omelette is simple, but out-of-this-world!

And the Goat Cheese Enchiladas with Corn and Red Mole...mmmm.

I could go on and on http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[LGBurns]

Thanks so much for the input everyone. Lorelei, I had already been eyeing those Goat Cheese Enchiladas with Corn and Red Mole. I love anything with goat cheese. I think I'm trying that one this weekend. But wait, there's also valchemists suggestion of Tossed Spinach Lasagna Goat Cheese Gratin! Or maybe I'm in the mood for Ziti with Sharp Cheddar and Mushroom. Oh dear. I think it's a good thing I haven't gotten my April CL yet. Too many choices. But please keep 'em comin'. Thanks again!

[Grace]

Ok, so this is an old thread. I've been eyeballing this book for a long, long time. Especially now that I get a box of organic vegetables every week through a CSA program (and it's full of stuff I don't normally buy, so I don't always know what to do with it!). Anyhow, I just kept telling myself I didn't need another expensive cookbook (it lists for $40), when I have such a hard time making all the stuff from CL and other sources as it is. I've been checking half.com now and again, but I figured I should just put this on my Xmas wish list.

Well, I just found it at half.com for $16. I just couldn't pass it up!! I still have 2 more months of weekly organic veggie deliveries, plus, I just found a FANTASTIC vegetable market near my house that I will be frequenting often. So I justified it to myself that I need to have it now, rather than after Xmas..... :p Reading this thread got me so excited. I will be trying everyone's recommendations, and if anyone else has anymore, I'd be grateful if you'd let me know!

Any kind of lifestyle change is a process, and my healthy eating lifestyle has been a work in progress for probably 20 years already. I keep striving to do better and better in my food choices, and this board just might possibly have been the biggest inspiration yet! Even though I had CL in my house for 10 years, it hadn't really been until I found this board that I really utilized it and moved out of my own "box" in terms of which recipes I would choose to cook. I have always eaten and loved veggies, but they have never been the CENTER of my diet, always a "side". I am now interested in eating as many veggies as I possibly can. I can't wait for that book with 1400 more ideas for me.....!!:D :D :D

Thanks for your input everyone, and I'm glad I can share my enthusiasm with you all! My husband just doesn't see the big thrill...

[kwormann]

My mom keeps asking what I want for my birthday and I havent been able to come up with anything...maybe THIS is what I want....