French Vegetarian Cooking

by Paola Gavin

Book Overview

Contains regional and local vegetarian specialties from all the French provinces from Flanders to Provence.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0871318377
• ISBN13: 9780871318374
• Release Date: September 1997
• Publisher: M. Evans and Company
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Unbelievably Delicious, Unbelievably Easy

As a vegetarian for almost 30 years, this was the cookbook I had always been waiting for. For inexplicable reasons, France appears to be anti-vegetarian. Though the food seems so easily adaptable to vegetarians, instead of leaving the meat out of the amazing and wonderful dishes, usually the top French restaurants in the US and restaurants in France would serve a vegetarian nothing but a plate of grilled vegetables, albiet exquisitely arranged. (Though I noticed that as side dishes or additional courses, meat eaters would often get some delectable vegetarian dishes.) Finally, there is a great cookbook that tells you how to make these dishes and how to make them vegetarian. What's even more amazing is how easy these recipes are. So many books will include in their titles words such as "quick", "in less than 30 minutes", "five ingredients only" but the recipes are really not that simple, easy or quick. But this book actually is simple and easy, though it doesn't bill itself as such. (Soups are so delicious and easy that it can be part of everyday meals with very little fuss or preparation.) I've made most of the recipes and everyone was absolutely delicious. The ingredients are simple and easily substitutable. Most importantly, as you use the book a little, you develop an understanding for how the different types of dishes are made and become independent of the book - so you can create your own quiches, crepes, flans, tians, and gratins. The French really are amazing cooks and they do it with simple but good ingredients and this book makes that possible for vegetarians. The recipes are great for non-vegetarians as well. My carnivirous father-in-law was unbelievably impressed.

My favorite cookbook

French Vegetarian Cooking has become my favorite cookbook. It almost converted me to being a vegetarian. The recipes are simple, with sublime combinations of readily available ingredients. The recipes are wonderful for whipping up a quick afterwork meal or vegetable dish that tastes like good French restaraunt food. If you're tired of eating the same old-same old, buy this book. You'll be thrilled with the results of throwing together a few classic ingredients that produce a fabulous tasting and refreshing change from your regular fare. It will impress your family too. If you're going to feed them green beans you might as well pour on a little combination of lemon, garlic, olive oil and basil to make a superb side dish. (Great for taking to parties too). As long as you're making baked potatoes, it takes no time to throw together a cream, mushroom and herb concoction to stuff them with. So much better than boring old spuds. And even the kids will be tempted by the lovely creamy, cheesy mornay sauce you can pour over the brussel sprouts. Really! My 8 year old loves that dish. So if you want to impress friends and family using simple, fast recipes that produce surprisingly scrumptious results, get this cookbook. You will find yourself using it often and loving it.

It's French, it's vegetarian, but it's not intimidating.

Paola Gavin has done down-to-earth cooks a huge favor by proving that the words "French" and "vegetarian" can co-exist in peace and simplicity. Refreshingly short ingredient lists grace the pages, presented in an austere format which belies the tempting and tasty dishes that will result.