Customer Reviews

30 Minute Vegetarian Mexican Pb (30 Minute Vegetarian Series)

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This book has a great cover, it's a good shape (square) and even more important, it's written by one of Britain's best new-wave vegetarian food writers and cooks, Sarah Beattie. She definitely stands in the vanguard of modern vegetarian food - not worthy, dull and difficult, not old-fashioned or clichéd but helping the reader create food that is beautiful, fun, delicious and life-affirming. This book zips through not just the basics of Mexican food but more unusual stuff too - cactus soup, for instance. It uses inexpensive, easily-obtainable ingredients and yet always inspires you with the author's passion for, and interest in, the magic of food.

I tried several of these so called 30 minute recipes and was unhappy with each of them. One example of why this cook book is terrible is the recipe for sweet potato enchiladas. It calls for 1 large sweet potato to make 12 enchiladas. I bought the biggest one at the store and it made 8 VERY skimpy enchiladas. The recipe said to steam the tortillas. I was skeptical as I have made lots of different kinds before, but never using the steam method. As I suspected, the steam did not sufficiently soften the tortilla to dip fill and roll, and the thing broke in several places. I ended up having to fry the tortillas in oil in order to get them to have the proper consistency for enchiladas! The sauce which consisted of canned crushed tomatoes and a jalapeno tasted like canned crushed tomatoes. It said to cook at 400* for 10 minutes, but they were barely warm and I had to cook longer. Like every recipe I tried, this one took a little over an hour to make and was then disappointing. I'm from CA and know GOOD Mexican food. Maybe this is considered good in Britain? I have given up on this book and would never buy a cookbook by this author again. Don't waste your time.

I use recipes as guides more than following them to the letter. However, there are some really delicious dishes in here (with or without modification). I first got this cookbook from the library and liked it so much I bought my own copy!