Feast

December 16, 2013
The re-education of Copeland (The Newlywed Cookbook, food director at Real Simple) began with marriage to a vegetarian and the challenge of creating well-rounded and satisfying plant-based meals. This self-described “unlikely vegetarian” shares 140 recipes that showcase her transition and awakening to the exciting role of vegetables on the plate. While Copeland hopes to inspire everyone to learn about the food they eat and “the story behind it,” she is not preachy; rather, she emphasizes the “delicious, not dogmatic” aspects of vegetarianism. Her inspiration is based on a love for quality ingredients, which will make even less-experienced cooks shine. Organized by meal type (breakfast/brunch; little meals; salads/side; sandwiches/tortillas; meals in a bowl, etc.), there are sections on how to stock the vegetarian pantry, refashion recipes by season, and preparation techniques. Recipes may include touches of meat, seafood, cheese, or bread as condiments for texture and contrast; roasted broccoli, kale, and chickpeas with ricotta burst with flavor from lemon wedges, red pepper flakes, garlic, and fleur de sel. A rich, luxurious polenta with winter salad, poached egg, and blue cheese comes alive with gorgonzola, sweet grape tomatoes, friseé, radicchio, and white balsamic vinegar. Feast is as much a command as an exuberant description of what home cooks can experience when preparing these nutritious, vibrant dishes.

Starred review from January 1, 2014

After marrying a vegetarian, Copeland (The Newlywed Cookbook: Fresh Ideas and Modern Recipes for Cooking with and for Each Other), a former lead recipe developer for the Food Network, transitioned to a mostly meatless lifestyle. Appealing to ethically minded foodies, she presents here 140-plus recipes that celebrate vegetables as delectable luxuries. Gorgeous color photographs highlight the textures of dishes such as radish salad with aged parmesan, delicata squash with pomegranates, and whole-wheat penne with pumpkin, rosemary, and pine nuts. Desserts that include blackberry fool and poached peaches are simple, sweet endings. A few meals contain fish and shellfish. VERDICT With versatile, varied recipes for everyday and special occasions, this attractive cookbook will entice most readers. Highly recommended.

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