From the occasional newsletter of Ponsonby's specialist cookbook shop:

Eat Your Greens!


Hearty soups, comforting casseroles, creamy gratins – winter and delicious vegetable dishes go hand in hand.
What's in season? Look no further than your local vege shop! Bored with cabbage, try Cavolo Nero instead, the Tuscan black cabbage.

Or were you put off by the Brussels Sprouts of childhood? Well the vast majority of the sprouts now sold in NZ have been breed to eliminate that element of bitterness. Not convinced yet? Cut a cross in the bottom, lightly steam, then toss them in melted butter and scatter with toasted hazelnuts.

In need of further inspiration? We have some brilliant titles, both newly published and old favourites, that will satisfy your vegetable cravings.

THE NEW ZEALAND VEGETABLE COOKBOOK
Lauraine Jacobs, Ginny Grant, Kathy Paterson
Random House $50

A meal isn’t complete with vegetables, and sometimes vegetables can be a complete meal.  This beautiful book embraces the range and versatility of our seasonal produce.  It is logically divided into four seasonal sections, with a feature vegetable for each season.

This is not a vegetarian cook book as such, but rather a celebration of how vegetables can be the star in a range of delicious dishes.
So far here at Cook the Books we’ve tried the Warm Leek Salad, Spices Parsnip and Coconut Soup, and the Spiced Lentils, Tomatoes and Eggs - all really tasty, fresh and easy to achieve.

PLENTY
Yotam Ottolenghi 
Ebury Press - $75

With his fabulous restaurants and bestselling Ottolenghi Cookbook, Yotam Ottolenghi has established himself as one of the most exciting new talents in the world of cookery and food writing. This exclusive collection of vegetarian recipes is drawn from his column 'The New Vegetarian' for the Guardian's Weekend magazine, and features both brand-new recipes and dishes first devised for that column. Yotam's food inspiration comes from his strong Mediterranean background and his unapologetic love of ingredients. Not a vegetarian himself, his approach to vegetable dishes is wholly original and innovative, based on strong flavours and stunning, fresh combinations. With sections devoted to cooking greens, aubergines, brassicas, rice and cereals, pasta and couscous, pulses, roots, squashes, onions, fruit, mushrooms and tomatoes, the breadth of colours, tastes and textures is extraordinary. Featuring vibrant, evocative food photography from acclaimed photographer Jonathan Lovekin, and with Yotam's voice and personality shining through, Plenty is a must-have for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike.

These gorgeous titles and thousands more too at :

Cook the Books,
81 Ponsonby Road,

Ponsonby,
Auckland,
New Zealand

Phone: +64 9 360 6513
Fax: +64 9 360 6514
Email: books@cookthebooks.co.nz

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK:
Monday to Friday – 10am to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday – 10am to 4pm
Public holidays as advised.