Book Review

Good Veggie Books!

So by now you may be thinking, this girl keeps telling me to go buy fresh produce, but then what? It's true I haven't really included many basic preparations for fresh veggies. Mostly because if they are super fresh I eat them raw, or just lightly steamed, as those deep flavors only happen when they're in season. Admittedly there are some slightly tricker veggies, or perhaps you desire something a tad fancier than steam! Allow me to recommend two classic books that I feel still really cover the basics and provide a lot of great information about fresh veggies. 

1. The first is The Victory Garden Cookbook

Courtesy Alfred A. Knopf

by Marian Morash. First published in 1982, based off the PBS show of the same name, this book is still the best. It not only goes into both basic and more advanced veggie preps, but gardening tips if you would like to grow yourself, and buying tips if you're at the store or market. Has recipes fit for all year round and handy weight to numerical conversions (ex. if a recipe call for 1/2 lb of potatoes, she'll let you know approximately how many potatoes that was for her.) Includes main course recipes, baked goods, sauces, all based around the fresh vegetables you have just obtained! It's really a great book and in my opinion, yet to be outdone. 

Courtesy TimeLife

2. The second book is part of a Time Life series released in 1979 under the title of The Good Cook Techniques & Recipes series. There were a ton of them, one for just about every type of food, and they're really great resources. Set up almost like encyclopedia's, they provide a lot of information as well as recipes. I personally own the Vegetables one and consult it often. It has produce charts cross referenced with successful cooking methods for forty seven different veggies. It shows different chopping methods as well as demystifies mirepoix vs. duxelle. Sofrito v. persillade. It also has really beautiful illustrations to introduce all the various vegetable families. The second half of the book is recipes from chefs all over the world presenting their favorite veggie dishes! YOM!

So get reading and get cooking! I'll keep posting recipes, (of course,) but these are great beginners guides for using those great summer/fall veggies!

BKBTY