Rowan Bishop’s Vegetarian Kitchen

DAVID BATEMAN
RRP: $34.99

It has been over 20 years, but at last there is a follow-up to the amazingly successful Vegetarian Adventure Cook Book by Rowan Bishop and Sue Carruthers. A classic of New Zealand food writing found in thousands of homes across the country, it has remained in print since it was first published.

Rowan’s latest book brings the mouthwatering flavours and irresistible dishes that Vegetarian Adventure was known for right up-to-date using all the fabulous produce, spices and herbs available to us now.

Vegetarian cookery has come of age over the past two decades and Rowan’s new book offers mouth-watering flavours and tempting dishes using all the fabulous produce, spices and herbs available today. With 180 recipes to try and enjoy, Rowan offers feasts of flavours and easy to follow recipes that are achievable at home. From everyday meals to special occasions, there are recipes here for everyone, including:

• 180 recipes with ideas to mix and match mains, side dishes, salads and starters

• recipes which take advantage of seasonal produce when it’s at its cheapest and best, using asparagus, beetroot, feijoas, plums and tomatoes, as well as less familiar produce such as persimmons, quinces and pomegranates

• while main dishes take centre stage there are also great chapters on sauces and dressings, desserts, baking and preserves.

Respected food writer Rowan Bishop’s enthusiasm for food is infectious and her flavour combinations delicious. Make your own black raspberry vinegar, olive and prune tapenade, Tuscan tart and Szechuan ‘clay pot’ casserole, or try scrumptious apple and cranberry custard pie, persimmon spice cake, brinjal (eggplant) chutney and the irresistible limoncello, Rowan’s recipes will inspire readers to get into the kitchen and try something new.

About the author:

Rowan Bishop has written about food for over 30 years, with hundreds of columns on food, travel and general interest published in a wide range of newspapers and magazines. She is the author of three cookbooks, including the phenomenally popular Vegetarian Adventure Cook Book. Rowan ran a successful catering business in Dunedin for nearly a decade and is now based in Hamilton.

“I began writing food columns, along with other freelance work, and produced a first vegetarian cookbook, The Vegetarian Adventure, with friend Sue Carruthers. This was at a time when vegetarian food was denounced as ‘fanatical’ and ‘fringe,’ as opposed to the popularity and acceptance it enjoys today. Of course, now there is a much wider range of products, condiments and produce to choose from, and the popularity of farmer’s markets and promotion of fresh, local and increasingly organic produce is really heartening to see.”