The Vegetable Dishes I Can't Live Without    by Mollie Katzen Order:  USA  Can Hyperion, 2007 (2007) Hardcover      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Mollie Katzen, author of Moosewood Cookbook and Mollie Katzen's Sunlight Café amongst other popular cookbooks, now brings us The Vegetable Dishes I Can't Live Without, complete with her trademark hand-drawn black and white illustrations of mouthwatering ingredients. In her brief Introduction, this self-styled leaf geek tells us that 'vegetables are beautiful and accessible, and can be utterly and irresistibly tasty.' She recommends her recipes to both vegetarians and meat-eaters, emphasizing that 'there's room on all of our plates for more vegetables'. Recipes open with Artichoke Hearts and Spinach Gratin and end with Parmesan-Crusted Zucchini. Each begins with a summary sentence, followed by notes (with useful tips on preparation, serving, storage etc.), ingredients, and pragmatic point form instructions. I like the idea of saladita - the chef's term for 'a colorful, sightly unusual medley of diced vegetables (and often fruit)' served cold - and plan to try a few including Avocado Strawberry Saladita. A layered Beet-Avocado-Pear "Carpaccio" makes a colorful choice for a holiday first course, and the Bell Pepper Festival (pepper, onions and garlic) will make a tasty topping for pasta or fish. How about Broccoli, Apples, & Red Onion in Honey-Mustard Marinade as a festive vegetable side dish? Or Spaghetti Squash Pancakes for an unusual brunch? As well as a variety of appetizers (Leek Chips sound worth a try) and saladitas, there are pestos, pasta toppings (Bitter Greens with Sweet Onions and Tart Cheese anyone?), veggie curries, risottos, and so many different ways to spice up vegetable dishes and increase their appeal. At the back of this healthy and appetizing cookbook, Mollie Katzen suggests Ten Ways ... to sneak a few more vegetables into your diet, provides a checklist for Stocking Your Pantry, and gives suggestions for Kitchen Equipment. If, like me, you're looking for ways to increase your family's vegetable intake, then you won't go wrong with The Vegetable Dishes I Can't Live Without. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews