The Vegetarian Option

Description

All too often, the vegetarian option is an afterthought on a restaurant menu or the vegetables are relegated to a side dish at home. Here, for the first time, Simon Hopkinson focuses entirely on cooking mouth-watering recipes without meat or fish. Using fresh good-quality produce and combining appropriate ingredients in season are key to Simon Hopkinson's cooking. Invitingly, throughout the book, ingredients that go together are paired together: aubergine & pimento; tomatoes & olives; pappardelle & porcini, peaches & plums, for example. Vegetables feature strongly, of course, but there are also plenty of original ideas and gorgeous recipes for herbs, pasta, rice, pulses, eggs and dairy, fruit - and cocktails! Simplicity, practicality and sensitivity are the essence of Simon's cooking, and his recipes are a joy to make. But there is so much more to appreciate in this highly original book as the author's evocative writing brings his food to life on every page. Superbly photographed by Jason Lowe, The Vegetarian Option is not written exclusively for vegetarians, but as a fresh source of inspiration for all genuine food lovers.

Widely recognised as one of the UK's finest food writers, Simon Hopkinson attracts a large and loyal following. Following the success of his first restaurant in Dinas, near Fishguard, Simon moved to London and soon became one of the most highly acclaimed chefs in the capital. In 1995 he relinquished his post as chef at Bibendum to concentrate on writing - his great passion. He has written several inspiring books and his captivating writing in The Independent received many accolades. His first book Roast Chicken and Other Stories won both the Andre Simon and Glenfiddich Awards. More recently, it was voted 'the most useful cookery book of all time' in a survey of food writers, chefs and restaurateurs - a measure of the huge respect Simon has from his contemporaries. His other books include Second Helpings of Roast Chicken and Week In Week Out, which was also published by Quadrille.