Book Review: The Vegetarian Student Cookbook

Title: The Vegetarian Student Cookbook
Author: Hamlyn Cookery
Publisher: Octopus Publishing Group ltd.
Release date: 2005
Length: 256 pages (Dutch version)

Summary:
From Amazon:
"All the basics in one book! This is the essential cookbook for students learning to cater for themselves. Over 200 recipes ranging from cheap eats for one, to meals for entertaining mates. All the recipes are easy to follow with clear instructions so that even the most inexperienced of cooks can attempt them with confidence. Recipes include the favourites like veggie burgers and nut roast as well as more adventurous dishes like mushroom and mozzarella stacks."

Personal opinion:
I got this book because it was so cheap and looked good! Granted, some recipes are really easy for me since I am not a beginner at cooking anymore and I would hardly calling them recipes, but for students this really is everything that it claims to be. It has information about ingredients, basic cooking techniques, base equipment and even how to share a dorm with meat eaters. And it is packed with recipes that are all easy to follow.

The chapters are a bit different than the most cookbooks I know and it is noticeable that this book is aimed towards students. It starts with breakfasts, soups and salads, budget foods, viva Italia, Orient express, eating with friends, sweet recipes, baking, cocktails and anti hangover recipes.

The good thing about this book is that it actually will learn students (or any beginner cook) to make things from scratch and how easy this can be. People don't have to live off canned soups all the time ;) Since the book is packed with easy recipes for people on a budget, I have cooked a great deal from this book already and it is currently the most used book in the house. I do have to say that sometimes I do tweak the recipes a bit and there was one recipe for a sweet potato curry that didn't turn out as I had hoped, but over all it is a very valuable addition for people on a budget. It is a perfect starters book which has a good variation of recipes. One warning though: the book doesn't contain any pictures. I would recommend this book for everyone who is new to vegetarian cooking, is interested in vegetarian cooking and vegetarians on a budget.

Purchase links: Amazon
Other reviews: None yet. (if you want to link up, just say so in a comment and I will add your link)

Of course I also will share a recipe with the review :) Today's recipe will be Stuffed Mushrooms :)

Stuffed Mushrooms: (makes 4 portions)
4 huge mushrooms (I used portobellos)
50gr of (mini) macaroni
1 onion, chopped (I used spring onion)
25gr walnuts, chopped
1 tbsp chopped parsley (I used basil, because I didn't have parsley)
25 gr grated cheese
1 tbsp mashed tomatoes
1 egg, beaten
some olive oil
salt & pepper

Cook the pasta and drain. Chop the sterns of the mushrooms and set aside. Place the hats under a medium hot grill for about 5 minutes. Toss the onion in a large bowl and add the mushroom sterns, macaroni, walnuts, parsley, cheese and mashed tomatoes. Mix this together. Add salt and pepper and mix in the beaten egg so the stuffing will stick together. Fill up the mushroom hats and then some ;) Sprinkle a dash of olive oil on top and place the mushroom under a grill for 15-20 minutes till the top is crunchy. Since my grill is not that strong I placed them on 150 degrees in the oven first for about 10 minutes :) Serve with a salad.

Other recipes I made from this book are:
Avocado-Mozzarela Ciabatta
Homemade Veggie Burgers
Hummus
Mushroom Stoganoff 
Stuffed Pumpkins

Don't forget to hop by the other participants of weekend cooking :)

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