A review by saschadarlington
Vegetable Simple: A Cookbook by Eric Ripert

5.0

Unless you eat a plant-based diet, you may consider vegetables just as the side dishes to fill in next to whatever meat and starch you’re having. Eric Ripert’s Vegetable Simple elevates vegetables to the stars of the meal, but simple stars with simple preparation so that the flavor of the vegetable is enhanced–not overwhelmed.

Vegetable Simple is filled with beautiful photographs of tantalizing vegetable meals. As I read over the pages, stopping on a halved juicy tomato that has been baked with an herbes de provence crust, I am thinking of summer and how a freshly picked tomato will taste with this simple preparation. The mushroom bolognese in a nest of tagliatelle. And can you imagine the taste of Watermelon Pizza with olives, feta and mint? Vidalia Onion Risotto? Vegetable Lasagna where the noodle are zucchini. There are so many delicious-sounding recipes like Eggplant Au Poivre for those of us who would once order the meat version whenever possible.

Besides the chapters devoted to vegetables, Ripert has also included some of his favorite beverages and desserts. Summertime will definitely contain Frosé–frozen rosé. And Cherry Clafoutis, a fresh cherry custard dessert!

I highly recommend Vegetable Simple for everyone who is already eating a plant-based diet as well as those who want to incorporate more vegetables into their diet. This cookbook will certainly demonstrate one of the easier and tastier ways to do it. Also, the recipes will definitely enhance the repertoire of vegetarian cooks.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.