By Polly Tyrer

This totally unpretentious book truly deserves to be known and used in all kitchens. Whether you’re a vegetarian or not, Leith’s vegetarian bible is a terrific resource to learn about fruits and vegetables, and how to cook them in a simple yet stylish way.

I quite can’t remember what incited me to buy the book, but that was an inspired move. What seemed to be a long list of recipes with no striking photography actually turned out as a useful collection of beautiful, well-written and accurate recipes; which is something I value without limits.

I do remember, though, that summer during which I had the time to leisurely read every single page of Polly’s book – 576 to be exact. From the slightly-over-fifty recipes I bookmarked, it is hard to pick just a few, but those are my favourites: broccoli and sage gougères, balsamic-roasted beetroot with garlic and thyme, cheesy herb and potato tart in a wholemeal sesame crust, four onion tart with polenta pastry, sauted asparagus with mozzarella and quail’s eggs, spiced lentil soup, asparagus, pea and lemon risotto (see below for the recipe), couscous with courgettes, feta and red onions.

Thoses recipes are handily organised in many chapters, each exploring the various families of vegetables: brassicas and leafy greens, roots and tubers, the onion family, mushrooms, salad leaves, vegetable fruits, squash, stalks and shoots, pods and beans, pulses and legumes, rice, grains and nuts, pasta and noodles, and eggs.
At the end of the book you’ll find a selection of lovely desserts and cakes, that sound delicious and healthy. Picture baked figs with pink cream, parsnip and pecan nut cake, and passion-fruit tart.
The chapter I love the most is the last one - basics - which makes you discover a whole new array of possibilities for tart crusts, sauces and breads.

I made a recipe from Polly Tyrer's book. So if you want to see how it turned out, just check this post: Un concentré de 'six-course meal' - Risotto aux asperges, petits pois et citron.

I heart this book like 9 lollipops.

Leith’s Vegetarian Bible is all about fruits, healthy food, vegetables, vegetarian meals