Love Soup: 160 All-New Vegetarian Recipes from the Author of The Vegetarian Epicure [Paperback]

Anna Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 2009

Winner of the James Beard Foundation Book of the Year, Healthy Focus: delicious recipes for vegetarian soups from the author of “the most influential cookbooks in the history of modern vegetarian cuisine” (Chicago Sun-Times).

Anna Thomas’s Vegetarian Epicure cookbooks have sold millions of copies and inspired generations. Now she describes her love affair with the ultimate comfort food. “From my kitchen to yours,” Thomas says, “here are the best soups I’ve ever made.” Her wonderfully creative recipes make use of fresh, seasonal produce—try black bean and squash soup in the fall, smoky eggplant soup in midsummer, or seductively perfumed wild mushroom soup for Christmas. Silky puree or rib-sticking chowder—each recipe has room for variation, and nearly all are vegan-friendly.

Love Soup also provides recipes for breads, hummus, pesto, salads, and homey desserts—and simple menus that put soup at the heart of the meal. Throughout, Thomas offers expert advice on shopping, seasoning, tasting, becoming a cook. With soups that delight and nourish, Thomas invites us all into the kitchen, to the most old-fashioned food and the newest, to the joy and good sense of home cooking. line art

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With its title and a kitschy illustrated bright cover with hand-drawn lettering, along with all vegetarian recipes, it's hard not to think the blandly healthy vibe of the 1970s, but Thomas (of the Vegetarian Epicure cookbooks) presents 160 new and enticing recipes that may just charm even a die-hard carnivore. Soups are organized by season and range from hearty selections like rustic leek and potato, and minestrone for a crowd, to lighter summer options including tomato and fennel soup with blood orange and sweet corn. A deconstructed hummus soup, along with pickle soup, make the collection anything but tired. Inspired by a temporary housing move that included a kitchen less than seven feet wide, the author knows what it takes to make a recipe manageable and doesn't skimp on advice when it comes to time- and space-saving tips like freezing, doubling and garnishing. Recipes for breads, dips and spreads, salads and a collection of desserts, as well as sample menus at the start of each chapter, make it easy to plan a full meal. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

“Every page is a new original soup that I want to try. This is a fantastic book... a great resource.” (Macheesmo.com )

“Anna Thomas is back with her most inspirational cookbook to date.” (Project Foodie )

“Thomas (of the Vegetarian Epicure cookbooks) presents 160 new and enticing recipes that may just charm even a die-hard carnivore.” (Publishers Weekly )

“Love Soup is a must companion for everyone with a vegetable garden, or a kitchen (this means everybody).” (Margaret Roach - A Way to Garden.com )

“Is anything better than soup?... You'll be delighted and inspired by Thomas's collection of 160 recipes... Each one a bowl of shining good health.” (Weight Watchers.com )

“Anna Thomas is a visionary, pure and simple. She opened our eyes and enlightened our palates—and a new world of garden-based eating began to unfold for a generation and beyond. In her latest book, Love Soup, Anna is as present as ever--consistent in her passion, skill, and pure delight. This book makes me want to run to my kitchen and get lost in her soups.” (Mollie Katzen, author of The Moosewood Cookbook )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (September 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393332578
• ISBN-13: 978-0393332575
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anna Thomas is a screenwriter, the author of "The Vegetarian Epicure" cookbooks, "Love Soup." She lives in Ojai, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm actually using this cookbook!, October 13, 2009

By 

Janice (New York) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Love Soup: 160 All-New Vegetarian Recipes from the Author of The Vegetarian Epicure (Paperback)

I have lots of cookbooks sitting on the shelf gathering dust - but not this one. I've already used it 3 times in as many weeks, and as the weather gets colder I anticipate trying more recipes.

There's a whole chapter on "green soups" that use those dark leafy greens the nutritionists are always urging us to eat (unsuccessfully in my case). In my first attempt vast quantities of kale and spinach almost overflowed the soup pot, but after being cooked down and pureed with seasonings the greens were transformed into a delicious soup that was creamy without the need for butter or cream. It was so good I made it two weeks in a row.

Next I made the zucchini basil soup which uses a full 2 cups of basil to 2 pounds of zucchini - easy and delicious.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So healthy and yet so delicious, October 16, 2009

By 

L. Ogden "Lynn loves soup" (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Love Soup: 160 All-New Vegetarian Recipes from the Author of The Vegetarian Epicure (Paperback)

I am not a vegetarian! My family loves meat. Yet, I know that I need to offer meat-free meals at least twice a week that are satisfying and filling. This cookbook has those meat-free satisfying meals in the form of soup. My family and friends could not believe that I didn't put heavy cream in the "Winter Squash, Yam, and Poblano Pepper" soup that I made. It was that filling. Only roasted veggies and vegetable broth was used. Every soup has a little story behind it. I really enjoy that aspect of the book. You can't go wrong buying this book. Next up for this family: The Original Green Soup. Just a little side note. My daughter does not like veggies, but when they are pureed in these soups, she will eat them. A healthy bonus for us.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthusiastically recommended for vegetarian and vegan cooks everywhere, September 15, 2009

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love Soup: 160 All-New Vegetarian Recipes from the Author of The Vegetarian Epicure (Paperback)

A follow-up to "The Vegetarian Epicure", Love Soup is a compendium of delectable vegetarian broths, soups, gumbos, and more, from "Pea Pod Broth" to "Creamy Potato and Roasted Garlic Soup", "Green Soup with Ginger", "Winter Squash and Yam Soup with Poblano Peppers", "Cauliflower Bisque", "Three- Bean Vegetable Chili", and even holiday-themed treats like "Chestnut Soup". Many of the proffered soups have a theme or flavor meant for the different seasons of the year. Featuring easy-to-prepare vegetarian (and many vegan!) soups for almost every occasion, "Love Soup" is enthusiastically recommended for vegetarian and vegan cooks everywhere.