Book Review

Passionate Vegetarian
by Crescent Dragonwagon
Review by Cathe Olson

When Crescent Dragonwagon decided to write a vegetarian cookbook, she wanted it to be more than just an ordinary cookbook. She was thinking Joy of Cooking, but even more comprehensive. She wanted to share not only great recipes, but also tips, techniques, information about ingredients, lore, and anecdotes, so it’s no wonder Passionate Vegetarian is over 1000 pages.

This book really does have it all with numerous recipes for hors d’oeuvres, salads, soups, stews, casseroles, grains, beans, soy foods, vegetables, burgers, sauces, and desserts. Although not a vegan cookbook, Dragonwagon is carefully to include vegan options for most recipes. There are some everyday family-type recipes like Pasta with Hearty Greens and Beans and CD’s Neo-Traditional Red Chili but more often the recipes are a bit labor intensive – better for when you have some time and want to make a special dish. Some of the recipes may be a bit too gourmet for kids – Dragonwagon is definitely a lover of lots of garlic and lots of spice. But those ingredients can be easily reduced and there are many dishes that appeal to all.

My family loved most of the recipes I tried. So far, our favorites are CD’s Famed Tofu-Broccoli Enchiladas, Classic Biscuits, New South Stir-Fry of Hearty Greens with Garlic, and The Very Best Tofu Cakes. The Basic Skillet-Sautéed Tofu is so much better than the name sounds. The tofu is marinated in Hippie-Style Marinade; then coated in a mixture of flour, nutritional yeast flakes, and herbs; and browned in a skillet. Both my husband and children raved about it. Another hit was the Glorious Garlic and Walnut Sauce for Broccoli. I tossed it with pasta and it disappeared in a flash. A nice feature of the book for parents is the Quick Fix section, which provides lots of ideas for meals in a hurry.

While the size of the book seemed overwhelming to me at first, I found this book works well consumed like a large feast – a nibble at a time. I leave my copy on the kitchen counter. When I am waiting for water to boil or soup to simmer, I pick it up and read a few of Dragonwagon’s enthralling stories or select recipes I will try in the coming weeks. This book is enjoyable on so many levels. Dragonwagon’s warmth and enthusiasm for both food and life jump off the page, and I feel both inspired and uplifted every time I read a few pages. This book is a must for anyone who loves food, cooking and good writing.

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Cathe is a freelance writer and the author of Simply Natural Baby Food: Easy Recipes for Delicious Meals Your Infant and Toddler Will LoveSimply Natural Baby Food and The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook: Whole Foods To Nourish Pregnant And Breastfeeding Women - And Their Families. She has studied vegetarian, macrobiotic, and whole foods nutrition and cookery. Cathe cooked at natural foods restaurants and delis in the San Francisco Bay and Central Coast areas of California before settling down with her husband Gary to raise a family. She works at home while caring for her daughters Aimie and Emily. Read Cathe's blog

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