The Vegetable Eater by Cara Mangini

The Vegetable Eater

by Cara Mangini

This follow-up from the IACP Award-winning author of The Vegetable Butcher presents simple lessons and 100 recipes that put irresistible, vegetable-forward dishes in every home cook's everyday rotation.

The Vegetable Butcher is back! With simple lessons and recipes that put irresistible, vegetable-forward dishes in every home cook's everyday rotation. IACP Award winner and James Beard Award finalist Cara Mangini (The Vegetable Butcher) presents a foundational education in vegetable cooking in an eminently approachable framework-through uncomplicated lessons with seasonal riffs (think a Vegetable Grain Bowl, Hearty Entrée Salad, or Frittata, each with variations for spring, summer, and fall). 35 essential dishes. 3 seasonal variations. More than 100 simple, nourishing, vegetable-forward recipes to put on repeat.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

4.5 of 5 stars

Share

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Vegetable Eater is a well written monograph on vegetarian food and lifestyle with recipes developed and curated by Cara Magnini. Due out 19th March 2024 from Hachette on their Workman Publishing imprint, it's 336 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. 

This is a beautifully appealing book with well styled tasty food; simple enough for "everyday" but also including recipes which will fit in with entertaining or more formal occasions. They all feature vegetables in a starring role, and really are anything but boring or "samey". 

The introduction includes advice on stocking the pantry, staples to keep on hand, choosing seasonal produce, tools/knives/work surfaces, prep/washing and storage. The intro chapter is followed directly by the recipes, arranged thematically: entree salads, soups, sandwiches, grain bowls, steaks fritters meatballs & sheet pan meals, casseroles & savory pies, and sweets. 

Recipes include a description/background, ingredients in a bullet list, and step by step cooking instructions. Ingredient measures are provided in imperial (American) units. There's a metric conversion chart included in the appendices. Nutritional info is not provided. Ingredients will mostly be easily sourced at any well stocked grocery store in North America. Some few ingredients might require a visit to an Asian/international grocer. 

Companion recipes, such as sauces to pair with the dishes are conveniently located *with* their respective recipes. It's super convenient. 

Photography is clear and in color throughout. The food is professionally and appetizingly styled and serving suggestions are appropriate and appealing. 

The author/publisher has also included appendices: metric conversion chart, seasonal recipe suggestions, and contents with page numbers for sauces, condiments, dips, and spreads. 

Four and a half stars. Well written and super tasty recipes. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, and gift giving purposes.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • 17 March, 2024: Started reading
  • 17 March, 2024: Finished reading
  • 17 March, 2024: Reviewed