Ottolenghi: The Cookbook

I read this book over the past two weeks like crazy, and so far have tried two recipes. Fantastic. It didn't surprise me too much though, as I tend to pick books and recipes if the ingredients loosely fit into what we eat. There are a few we won't be eating - squid just isn't my thing - and a couple are either too time-consuming, or are too exotic for my "house cat" palette (there really are not many of these, though).

These recipes draw mostly from all over the Mediterranean, with some Asian tossed in (and maybe others too, I think it's mentioned in the intro), and even one or two Mexican-based recipes. One of them was for Quesadillas, and they were absolutely delicious. There are AT LEAST twenty other recipes bookmarked for show more taste-testing. :-)

The recipes in this book are vegetarian, but the author is not vegetarian, and that suits me/my family perfectly as we are not vegetarians either, but have cut our meat consumption by almost half over the past several years. These dishes can easily be served with meat, when the occasion/mood suits it. This is a book that will definitely be used very regularly. show less

I had never heard of Ottolenghi before and when I saw this cookbook, the title was the first thing that grabbed my attention, and then the blurb sealed the deal.

The first thing I want to say about it is that it is the most interesting cookbook I’ve ever read. The recipes are very different than what I’m used to making, and they all sound easy enough to prepare. The photos were amazing, and the stories shared about his family made me feel as if I knew them. They were very close and I liked that.

The contents are:
Introduction
Vegetables, legumes, and grains
Meat and fish
Baking and patisserie
Larder
Index
The Ottolenghi people
Thank-yous

My favorite recipes were the salads. I love a good salad and there was such a variety. Some of them had show more ingredients that I would have never thought to put together. Even days after finishing the book I catch myself thinking “oh, I could make a salad with …

If you’re a cookbook lover, check this out. I don’t think you’ll be sorry. show less

Favorite. cookbook. ever. Every recipe comes out exactly as expected, which is delicious, and healthy to boot. It's so tempting to say I threw the recipe together myself when guests rave, but they wouldn't believe me. And I could never miss an opportunity to turn someone onto the genius that is Ottolenghi.

This is one of those cookbooks which makes me want to get into the kitchen and start cooking. Wonderful flavours, uncomplicated recipes, beautiful dishes. A treasure!

So glad I stopped off to pick up my hold copy from the library this morning. Some great food philosophy/food porn for a blustery afternoon at home. Plus, I read through it in time to add some pork belly to this week's CSA order . . . looking forward to having it with some mushrooms cooked with cinnamon later this week.

As for purchasing a copy, I won't, because I'm perfectly satisfied with my personal copy of Ottolenghi's Plenty for now.

Totally love it. Very useable, fresh exciting food

vibrant flavors - esp. lemon, garlic, mint, cilantro, parsley with vegetables (largely) but some meat and baked good