Moosewood Restaurant Kitchen Garden: Creative Gardening for the Adventurous Cook [Paperback]

David Hirsch (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 1, 2005

It happens every season but still inspires awe-tiny plants emerge from quarter-inch seeds and grow to five feet tall in a matter of weeks. The physical and sensual satisfaction of nurturing a garden is surpassed only by the pleasures of preparing and eating the fruits of your labor.In The Moosewood Restaurant Kitchen Garden, long-time Moosewood Collective member David Hirsch shares his expertise on growing, harvesting, and cooking with more than 75 vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. This completely revised, comprehensive guide to culinary gardening also features information on heirloom varieties (many of which aren'¬?t available in local markets), basic gardening techniques, and practical ideas to help new and experienced gardeners design their plots. Including culinary tips for simple vegetable and herb preparations as well as 70 recipes, The Moosewood Restaurant Kitchen Garden will inspire home cooks to make full use of their backyard harvests, taking homegrown seasonal food to a delicious and bountiful new level.The ideal companion to gardening for the kitchen from Moosewood Collective member David Hirsch.Culinary tips and charming anecdotes accompany discussions of each fruit, vegetable, and herb.Thanks to the proliferation of sustainable, organic farming over the last 20 storied years, and with ongoing support from famous foodies like Alice Waters, the general population is becoming increasingly knowledgeable about the benefits of organic foods and increasingly appreciative of local harvests.Previous edition sold 80,000 copies.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In what is called "a gardening book for cooks and a cookbook for gardeners," Hirsch offers brief seed-starting instructions, cultural requirements, harvesting instructions, garden design plans, and culinary tips for a variety of vegetables and herbs. He also includes general gardening techniques, insect control, and recipes from the Moosewood kitchens. Of special interest are the culinary tips, especially for less-common vegetables and for herbs. This book has the visual attractiveness of the other Moosewood titles, with charming initials and line drawings on the text pages, decorative title pages for each section, and garden plans and drawings throughout. Not a necessary purchase, this may be desirable in libraries serving sizable vegetarian populations. (Index not seen.)-- Carol Cubberly, Univ. of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"With his extensive knowledge, David Hirsch gently leads green-thumbed cooks from beginners to masters. (I especially like the culinary tips for each vegetable and herb that he shares along the way!) A treasure trove of great information you'¬?ll definitely want to keep handy." -Rosalind Creasy, author of The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping "Some of us can cook and some of us can garden, but we can'¬?t always get the two skills to meet. In this newly revised The Moosewood Restaurant Kitchen Garden, David Hirsch tells us not only what to plant, but how to take care of it and how to cook it. From exotic heirloom vegetables to everyday staples, this book has it all-a must-have for the cook and gardener."-James Peterson, author of Sauces and Splendid Soups

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press; Revised edition (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580086667
• ISBN-13: 978-1580086660
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #248,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Organic Cooking

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love the Moosewood cookbooks, you'll love this book. April 17, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is an easy-to-use and easy to read book with helpful tips on not only selecting and growing, but cooking with your veggies, edible flowers and herbs. There is also a great list of mail-order sources with descriptions of supplies. I especially liked the design section for its simple and straightforward approach to considerations and approaches towards my garden layout.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A cookbook far beyond the norm August 11, 2005

By Melanie

Format:Paperback

It's called "a gardening book for cooks and a cookbook for gardeners." David Hirsch has updated and revised this different and terrific cookbook. The subtitle ("Creative Gardening for the Adventurous Cook"), encapsulates quite nicely why this is a cookbook far beyond the norm. Written specifically to help in growing vegetables so that we can cook with them, each flower, herb or vegetable is accompanied by tips for its best use in the kitchen.

Published originally in 1992, the 2004 update includes more information, resources and recipes. The text is simple yet thorough, and is chock-full of tips, ideas, illustrations and charming anecdotes. In simple, straightforward text, Hirsch gives instructions for growing, harvesting, and cooking with over 75 vegetables and herbs.

The cookbook is accessible for beginners, while being complex and satisfying enough for more experienced gardeners. Chapters are devoted to gardening techniques, crop rotation, seed starting, and natural ways to defend against insects. Another chapter covers various kinds of gardens, from hillside, to walled patio, to container gardening, while the 70+ recipes will showcase the fruits of your labor and help transform them to the the pleasures of the table.

The recipes are delicious and comprehensive, from soups, dips and salads to appetizers and main dishes. Hirsch also includes information on cooking times and techniques, as well as the effective use of herbs (with advice for planting, compatibility and cooking). It is hard to pick favorites, but the Vegetable "Pasta", Summer Rolls, and Portuguese Kale Soup are among my favorites so far.

The recipes are not all vegan (although of course they are vegetarian), but vegan options can be substituted (soy cheese for non-soy, etc).... A must have cookbook for gardeners and cooks alike.--By Lisa Steele Read more ›

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars another great Moosewood cookbook June 27, 2009

By Carolynne B. Mathis

Format:Paperback

I got this for my daughter who is gardening for the first time. It's a great book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Moosewood Kitchen Garden January 8, 2009

By Tedee

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this as a gift for a friend who loves the Moosewood cookbooks. This was a big hit. Very helpful while planning her garden.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars South Texas April 19, 2013

By Poodlelady48

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a fan of the Moosewood cookbooks and an ardent gardener. I thought this book would be an excellent addition to my collection of gardening books; however, I soon discovered that it really doesn't apply to gardening in my part of the US. The east coast and south Texas have little in common when it comes to weather, soil, and rainfall. Even so, it's a lovely book, and I'm sorry I had to return it.

5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD GIFT April 10, 2013

By MELISSA KUGLER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

MY FRIEND LOVED IT! SHE LIKES TO GARDEN. I THOUGHT AND THOUGHT. I FINALLY SAW THIS BOOOK AND THOUGHT PERFECT!

5.0 out of 5 stars Trust These Over-50 [YIKES!] Cook/Gardeners . . . March 21, 2013

By Yolanda Y. Williams

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Quintessential Moosewood. This book is what happens when old hippies become proper adults. Buy the book anyway. Take your hat off when inside, put your cloth napkin in your lap, compost that durian, remember hash brownies fondly.