The Accidental Vegetarian: Delicious and Eclectic Food Without Meat [Paperback]

Simon Rimmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2005

Here is a vegetarian cookbook that will please even the most devoted carnivores--because the author himself eats and loves meat. These 140 recipes completely redefine the idea of vegetarianism, moving it away from the "lentil and sandal" image and instead offering quick, delicious dishes that range from good old macaroni and cheese to exotic fusion creations such as spicy beetroot and coconut soup. From dips to desserts, every page presents mouthwatering creations that the entire family will enjoy: Norimaki Sushi Rolls; Greek Dolamades with Tzatziki sauce; Asparagus, Potato, and Fennel Salad; Pumpkin Enchiladas with Mole Sauce; Proper Pizza; Gnocchi with Wild Mushroom and Rosemary Ragu; and the enticingly named More Chocolate than Is Good for You to end dinner in style.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the introduction to this slim vegetarian cookbook, the author, a proprietor of a British restaurant called Greens, cops to being neither a professionally trained chef nor a vegetarian. Nevertheless, this compilation of his restaurant's greatest hits has appeal. The recipes take their cues from Mexican, Italian, Indian, even Moroccan cuisine; they are easy to follow and, in general, appetizing. An Asparagus, Potato, and Fennel Salad with Italian Dressing couldn't be easier but tastes dinner-party classy, as does a Sun-Dried Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Tart. However, to get the most out of this cookbook, the intrepid vegetarian must not mind the author's twee Britishisms (chocolate is "choccy"; roasted potatoes are "roasties"), bad grammar (the text is full of grating run-ons) and easily dispensed misconceptions ("Mexican food-it can be a bit limited"). Further, a few additional photographs would have improved matters-it would be nice to know what Stilton, Asparagus and Caramelized Shallot Roulade with Spicy Chutney looks like, for instance, before embarking on this complicated endeavor. Still, the book's relaxed personality and tasty recipes make it a satisfying choice for vegetarians seeking internationally inspired dishes.
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Review

The vegetarian world may have found its Jamie Oliver. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Cassell Illustrated (April 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844032760
• ISBN-13: 978-1844032761
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,432,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Original Recipes for Vego's and non-Vego's alike, December 28, 2005

By 

NicksMyName (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Accidental Vegetarian: Delicious and Eclectic Food Without Meat (Paperback)

As a long-time vegetarian with a big shelf full of books I am hard to excite with another new vegetarian cookbook. Receiving this book as a gift I expected another beautifully presented volume created for maximum impact on the coffee table but out of place in a practical - I've got a day job, omnivorous family to feed and no time for mucking about - kitchen. As this book is from a non-vegetarian, non-chef, I was not expecting much.

What I discovered was a great set of quirky vegetarian recipes that are well explained and do not require exotic ingredients or days of preparation.

Christmas dinner is the ultimate test for me. My wife's family are not vegetarians and serving something that's not Meat, Meat and Two Veg is breaking all the rules for them.

I relied totally on this book and served Basil Roulade with goat's cheese and sun-blushed tomatoes (time-consuming, but delicious), Pan Haggerty (small serving size but very popular) and Fine Beans with Garlic and Tomato sauce (no vampires in our house since). It went down a treat. The in-laws gave it the thumbs up, so I give this book the double thumbs up.

The only drawback is that if you think in Decimals then dig out your conversion charts because unfortunately all the recipes use Imperial measures (what the heck is a "Stick Of Butter"???). This is the only drawback of this cookbook.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creating Vegetarian food memories, February 11, 2010

By 

Hillary Short "The Hungry Duchess" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Accidental Vegetarian: Delicious and Eclectic Food Without Meat (Paperback)

I am a personal chef who has vegetarian clients. I love being adventurous with vegetables. My preference has always been vegan cookbooks because they are more creative than the vegetarian books. I have found for myself that I have developed a problem with eating too much soy, so therefore due to vegan food using a lot of soy I decided to try more vegetarian meals. Rimmer's book is wonderful and the recipes are not too arduous as I have found with my vegan specialties. I love his banana dhal, it is simple and delicious, I make it as a main course served with basmati rice. The other dish is the pumpkin enchilladas, however, my mole sauce wasn't a success because I left out the chillis. I highly recommend this book for someone starting to explore vegetarian food.

5.0 out of 5 stars How Lovely, November 6, 2011

By 

Larabrite - See all my reviews

This review is from: Accidental Vegetarian (Paperback)

I picked up this book as a random impulse buy on sale after a brief flip through, not expecting to use it very much as I typically find recipes online. I have absolutely fallen in love with it, the recipes are lovely, simple and described in the most endearingly quirky style, the images that go with them are lovely and similarly warm and simple. The only thing detracting from the magic of this little gem is the intimidatingly huge portion sizes, a great book for a family of four or five, but for my little household, there is usually math involved ;)