I borrowed the book Cooking from the Garden: Best Recipes from Kitchen Gardener from the library, and was thrilled to find so many fun unique recipes I was dying to try.
The cook book is based on the many recipes and tips that were published in the magazine “Kitchen Gardener” during 1999-2001. (You’re able to find many recipes online at Vegetable Gardener.
It’s surprising, but I mean, really, how can you make vegetables new and exciting? But yep, they do, at least for me! Even though the recipes are not fancy and exotic, I learned so much, which is one of the main reasons to love a cookbook or not. If I can be inspired by a cookbook, then I’m hooked!
And the details! The details for each recipe is outstanding. There’s no question how high (or low) your stove heat should be, or what type of cooking vessel you should be using. It’s in the recipe details!
Unfortunately, there are no photos in this cookbook, but I understand they need to keep costs down. There are chapters for appetizers, breakfast, sauces, salads, sandwiches, soups, side dishes, pastas & grains & beans, main dishes, desserts, preserving along with seasonal menus.
It’s very helpful that basic nutritional data is included with every recipe, calories, fat and sodium are listed. Yes, a lot of recipes are higher in fat that some would like, actually some are too high even for me, but the oil can be easily reduced if necessary.
I think this book is perfect for someone that wants to get out of a vegetable rut and experiment with something different. I know it’s difficult to keep coming up with new ideas for the vegetables I’m picking up at my weekly CSA share. It’s given me a lot of inspiration! For instance, I need to use more bread crumbs, which are so easy to make with my day-old homemade bread!
It’s great when you want meatless or vegan meals too! Instead of a conventional meal of meat, starch and vegetable, it might be refreshing to prepare 3 different vegetable or grain “side dishes” that don’t necessarily work as a whole meal on their own, but put together, they could nicely blend into a complete meal!
I’m going to be disappointed to return the book to the library. It was one of my favorites for sure!
Disclaimer:
I love reading cookbooks, like some people love reading novels! I am inspired by recipes, and enjoy learning ideas from cookbooks; I like putting my own spin on a recipe rather than exactly following it. Please keep in mind that my opinions might be completely different from the other home cooks.