Customer Reviews

Entertaining Vegetarians

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After reading and enjoying Worldwide Vegetarian Classics by the same author I was looking forward to another quality vegetarian cookbook and was astonished to find the last chapter devoted to seafood recipes for so-called 'pescarians' together with an unapologetic explanation of this incusion in the author's forward. Fish do not grow on plants and vegetarians do not eat fish! I do not condone or condemn the author's personal choice of eating style, but I do take exception that because the author chooses to eat fish she sees it as enough justification to include seafood recipes in a book which purports to be aimed at vegetarians. This book is titled 'Entertaining Vegetarians' not 'Entertaining Vegetarians and Seafood Eaters'. There are surely enough cookbooks out there to cater to those who partake of seafood without wasting a chapter of this book on yet more non-vegetarian recipes. The rest of the book is well produced with some interesting vegetarian dishes- a few more photos would be good for the visual vegetarians amongst us!

Celia Brooks Brown's ENTERTAINING VEGETARIANS pairs lovely color photos by Ja Baldwin with a satisfying focus on a range of vegetarian dishes for parties, appetizers, and main courses. From brunch and outdoor cookery to sit-down dinners, the chapters in ENTERTAINING VEGETARIANS largely address what is the real challenge in vegetarian cooking - main courses and appetizers - with a bow to desserts.

I bought this book two years ago and am still using it. I have been vegetarian since I was in the sixth grade (although I eat fish) and learned to cook from books and trial and error and I have become a fairly good cook over that time. I found Brown's recipes easy to follow. The book has a very English feel, but unlike other English cookbooks (or even my English friend) all the terms are American.

The book is filled with the most amazing photos of each dish. The book is broken into the different kind of parties you want to throw: canapés and cocktail bites, feed the masses, small courses, lunch & dinner meals, desserts, at the last minute, fire and ice, brunch and when they eat fish.

The chapter on At The Last Minute gives great ideas for pantry staples to feed friends who just show up (the best kind). Each chapter has a sample menu and ideas on having the party from shopping to presentation.

I used this book when I threw my Christmas party for around 20 people and everything was gobbled up. The Giant cheese and spinach pie is so easy and tasty. It will feed a crowd. The Teriyaki Almonds make great finger food. My favorite dish is the Mango Tofu Skewers. I have made it for many friends (meat eaters) and they love it. I also took this book with me to Texas and my rancher in-laws loved all the dishes I made.

This book is gorgeous. Finally a gourmet approach to vegetarianism. The freshest produce prepared so simply that the preparation doesn't blanket the pure beauty and appeal of the food itself. I highly recommend this one.