Vegetable Harvest: Vegetables at the Center of the Plate by Patricia Wells
|
List Price: Our Price: $12.97 You Save: $21.98 (63%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $8.73 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Vegetable Harvest: Vegetables at the Center of the Plate
Book Review: A mediocre offering from Patricia Wells
Summary: 2 Stars
My goodness! Some of the gushing reviewers sound like they're working for Patricia Wells's publisher! I've always liked her cookbooks; my copy of "Bistro Cooking" is full of cooking stains. And I have a thing for cookbooks. But this one is not worth the money. There's little new here, except for an annoying tendency to stick "piment d'espelette" (try finding THAT in the supermarket) in everything. I have a huge vegetable garden, but I'm much more likely to reach for books by Deborah Madison or Marion Morash or Mark Bittman. Some have called this a "foodie" cookbook, which I call damning with faint praise. There is a certain kind of cookbook that is fun to read in bed (this one is very pretty, with clearly written recipes and nice photos), but doesn't lend itself to constant use in the kitchen. This is one of those. Book Review: vegetable harvest; vegetables at the centre of the plate
Summary: 4 Stars
'a joy to experience' is the only way to describe Patricia Wells "Vegetable Harvest".
As an experienced cook and caterer I applaud the bravery and insight of the author to create this tome which unashamedly champions the bounty of her personal garden .
One niggle was as an Australian I found the lack of metric measurement in recipes a frustration.
Vegetable Harvest" is inspirational in its prose, and entertaining with quotes and wine suggestions. One gets the impression of health and vitality from this book without needing to reckon the calorific value of each recipe which is given with other nutritional info for readers .
I am left with an overwhelming desire to plant my own "vegetable harvest" but failing that, to seek out the best produce that I can afford or find, as the overriding message of this book is one of "reverence for nature and its bounty"
cheers
Book Review: Giving veggies their place
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is both a visual feast for the eyes and a salute to vegetables and the farmers/growers responsible. The book, the latest in a number of cookbooks written by this author, is designed around the premise that vegetables should be center stage on the plate. Instead of creating meals around meats, fish or poultry, the author writes in the introduction she began putting the vegetables first and working everything else around that.
The result is a colorful ode to vegetables that provides many different ways of cooking and using them to shake up the meal and your palate. Moving from appetizers, to salads, to soups, to poultry and meats and ultimately breads and desserts with every stage in between, author Patricia Wells creates meal after delectable meal on paper. Almost every single recipe is illustrated, not with a picture of the dish, but instead with a picture of the vegetable or vegetables for sales in the markets near the author's home in France.
Cooks experienced with various types of cooking equipment and utensils will find these recipes simple while those of us with less experience may find some of the more complex ones intimidating. Still, the instructions are straightforward and understandable and each recipe comes with a small amount of dietary information on calories, fat, carbohydrates, etc. Those on salt sensitive diets may wish to do a little research on items within a recipe before actually making the dish as that information is not provided.
At 324 pages, including an index and a detailed section on various things that each cook, according to the author, should have on hand such as homemade chicken stock, basil-lemon dressing, watercress pesto, etc. this book is aimed primarily at cooks that have the time and skills necessary to go beyond the standard fare. As such, this book is interesting, colorful and inspiring and can be used as tool to increase variety at the table.
Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2008
Book Review: I'm a fan of Ms. Wells but...
Summary: 3 Stars
I own several Patricia Wells books and like them all. But this one...I could be wrong, but rather than the product of real inspiration it strikes me as something that was merely due as part of a multi-book contract. Some of the recipes are so basic as to be only just above the level of how to boil potatoes. At least one recipe calls for INSTANT polenta (when's the last time you made instant polenta?). She can't seem to focus on vegetables without meat products, such as stock. Sorry to be a grouch but I was underwhelmed. And not to pick on the other reviews, but I don't get the impression that folks have actually cooked a selection of the recipes. As for me, I'll stick with Bistro Cooking and the Provence Cookbook. Book Review: Vegetables to feed the soul.
Summary: 5 Stars
Patricia Wells never disappoints in the kitchen, and if you loved her other cook books (I do!) you will want this latest. This book celebrates the vegetable. Do not confuse this cook book with those meant for strict vegetarians. I am not a strict vegetarian but I find myself more and more often seeking to extol a vegetable straight from the garden or a farmers' market, rather than a pice of meat. The recipes in this book, make you think about vegetables with a new respect and an increased appetite. Bon appetit!