Product Description

Increasingly, people are choosing to become vegetarians or to maintain a primarily vegetarian diet. "The Leith's Vegetarian Bible" is the only cookbook you will need for both everyday cooking and entertaining providing almost 1000 delicious recipes inspired by dishes from all over the world. They range from the classic to the innovative, from the simple to the sophisticated. You will find such dishes as Avocado and Rocket Gazpacho, Beetroot and Horseradish Mousse, Aubergine Steaks with Ginger and Chilli Crust, Three Squash Lasagne, Peanut Dhal, Celery and Celeriac Nut Crumble, Jamaican Black Bean Pot, Citrus Cous Cous with Yellow Pepper and Fennel, Swiss Chard Quiche, Potato and Cabbage Gratin, Fig Crumble Cake, Rich Chocolate Peachcake, Strawberry Tequila Sorbet and Steamed Maple and Pecan Sponge. Presented with the clarity, information and authority that have made the "Leith's" series such a success, the "Leith's Vegetarian Bible" is an indispensable book for any cook.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #146277 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 576 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Vegetarians, or just lovers of vegetables, will find Leith's Vegetarian Bible an indispensable addition to their cookbook collection. This tome of vegetarianism is packed with 1000 recipes ranging from starters to desserts and accompaniments, as well as handy information on nutrition and managing a non-meat diet.

The book is arranged by vegetable type, so it's easy to look up recipes that use what you've got in the pantry. Information such as the peak season for each vegetable and the vitamins found in each is also included. Polly Tyrer and the other four contributing authors offer a wide range of recipes from all over the world. Mediterranean dishes such as fresh spinach cannelloni appear alongside Asian-inspired recipes like noodles with peanut sauce and raw vegetables as well as Middle-Eastern and South American flavours. In fact, there is such a plethora of choice that it's hard to decide which recipe (or which continent) to start with.

You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy using this cookbook. Most of the dishes (for example, the Thai red pumpkin and coconut curry) are so hearty that you won't miss the meat at all. Alternatively, you could use many of them (such as asparagus with lemon and caper sauce) as accompaniments to a carnivorous meal. On the downside, only 16 of the 1000 recipes are accompanied by a photograph. This may cause less-confident cooks to shy away from the more complex recipes, but most of the dishes are simple enough and the steps are well explained. The Vegetarian Bible is useful for both everyday cooking and impressing friends at dinner parties. --Amelia Crook

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, 19th Ocotber 2002
"It is global, up-to-date and hugely informative. ... The book's expensive, but you get your money's worth"

About the Author
Polly Tyrer gained experience as a cook in Spain and California before joining LEITH'S SCHOOL OF FOOD AND WINE as Vice Principal when it opened in 1975. She later became Managing Director of Prue Leith's catering company LEITH'S GOOD FOOD and went on to develop a freelance career. Polly Tyrer is the author of four books including LEITH'S COOKING FOR ONE AND TWO.

Customer Reviews

A Truly Wonderful Book
Leith's Vegetarian Bible is an excellent book containing wonderful recipes with tastes from all over the world. The layout of the book makes it very easy to use, as it is divided into sections such as "Roots and Tubers", "Pods and Beans" and "Squash".The use of these sections means that the reader can easily find a recipe for the ingredients in store instead of hunting the many sections for a dish to fit the ingredients.The amalgam of interesting foodstuff, most of which are readily available at a local supermarket, make the reader desperate to try them out. The method of preparation is clear and helpful and it also contains hints on general cooking methods.
The index is very much easier to use than Delia's Vegetarian Cookery where I lost a recipe and eventually found it by looking up a minor ingredient. The index of Leith's Book is aided by main ingredients being emphasised in bold type.
The description as a bible fits perfectly

The best vegetarian cookery book I've found
As co-owner of an extensive cookery book collection (100+), I can honestly say that this one gets more use than any of the others, both by myself and my (non-vegetarian) partner. Some recipes are more time-consuming than others, but few are technically difficult. Most also lend themselves to adaptation if the 'right' ingredients aren't to hand. It's particularly excellent if you subscribe to an organic veg delivery scheme, as there are a few recipes for just about any obscure veg you can think of, as well as all the more ordinary stuff. I'd recommend this to anyone who really likes food.

Essential vegetarian cookery book!
As a confirmed carnivore living with a very strict vegetarian I have amassed quite a selection of vegetarian cookery books. A major problem for us is that, living in Spain, we don't have easy access to vegetarian cheese, and most vegetarian cookery books seem to concentrate most recipes around it! Not so with this one, which really does focus on the vegetables and lovely herbs and spices.

This book truly has become my bible. I have so far tried about 15 of the recipes and each dish has been outstanding, sadly due to the quality of the recipe rather than my culinary skills! The recipes are very clear and easy to follow and the cooking times are spot on, even in my unpredictable old gas oven.

Disregard the fact there are not many photographs in the book, after you realise how delicious the end results are you'll be glad the pages contain more recipes instead! A fabulous book.