Veg-table Recipes, techniques + plant science for big-flavored, vegetable-focused meals

Author Sharma turned his molecular biology training--including studying the role food plays in the development and prevention of disease--into a wholly refreshing take on the culinary arts, found especially in his The Flavor Equation (2020). Here, he dives deep into (mostly) vegetarian cooking, presenting 100 recipes that feature unconventional but entirely authentic flavor combinations, like kimchi creamed corn (with coconut milk), grilled zucchini with pumpkin seed chutney, and leek, potato, and pancetta soup. Ingredients and their portions are embedded in Sharma's step-by-step narrative for each recipe, which might unnerve some cooks, but the style mostly works; number of servings and prep/cooking time would have been helpful though. There are some useful additions, like a world map featuring plant origins, a list of best growing conditions and seasons for various vegetables, and excellent storage tips. Helpful, succinct "cook's notes" follow each recipe. The stunning photographs are by Sharma himself. This cookbook more than holds its own but is especially recommended where The Flavor Equation has found favor.

Sharma (The Flavor Equation) successfully combines his interests in gardening and cooking with a background as a scientist and photographer in this striking new work. The recipes are divided into 16 chapters, each based on a vegetable family, so all onion-centric recipes are together in one section, while another focuses on the Brassica group, which includes broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. Introductory materials include sections on plant science, including where each of these plant families originated, as well as details on their growing conditions and how to store them to maximize freshness. Indian flavors predominate, but other Asian, Middle Eastern, and Italian dishes make appearances too. Some contain meat, but the focus is 100 percent on the vegetables. Recipes are written in a conversational style, listing ingredients in both metric and U.S. measurements in bold within the text itself. Cook's notes follow each recipe, providing tips and possible substitution ideas, along with gorgeous photos and veggie glamour shots. VERDICT Offering new takes on a wide variety of vegetable dishes, this cookbook is recommended for vegetarian and international collections.--Susan Hurst