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Veg – The Cookbook

Most of my UK readers will recognise the name Gregg Wallace and all TV food programme enthusiasts will recognise the face. Greg is the co-presenter of Masterchef and he is the follically challenged bloke with the cheeky grin.

This book has a slightly different perspective than most veggie cookbooks. Greg is a seller of veg, an eater of veg, a grower of veg and now a writer of veg. There can be few who are better placed to give advice and encouragement to any of us who have, or want to develop, a passion for vegetables.

Veg – The Cookbook isn’t, surprisingly enough, a vegetarian recipe book. There are non-meat dishes aplenty but it’s more about the use of vegetables rather than the exclusion of meat. Many of us these days are eating less meat, and red meat in particular. Sometimes we might choose that demi-carnivorous diet for economic reasons but it’s more often for reasons of taste and culinary richness that we take an interest in vegetables. There are, after all, more varieties of vegetables than there are of edible animals.

Gregg’s food philosophy is realistic and sustainable. He has no problem with presenting a bowl of exotic fruits because they are delicious and good for us. We don’t have the climate to cultivate bananas and pineapples so it’s obvious that they can’t be home-grown. On the other hand Gregg is likely to take you to task if you are the class of shopper who wants imported cherries at Christmas. Wait till local cherries are available. Buy produce when it’s in season is this man’s advice.
 
But when is it in season? I hear you cry! Veg – The Cookbook will tell you. Each chapter considers a different vegetable and will tell you all you need to know to take advantage of a decent price and highest quality. Let’s look at Asparagus. Gregg discusses types of asparagus, gives a few facts, offers a chart so you’ll know when it’s in season and you’ll learn how to buy the best asparagus.

Once you have purchased your veg you’ll want to cook it, so it’s on to the recipes. There are over 120 recipes and they are all quick and easy. There are lots of the classic vegetable dishes and this book is no worse for it, but there are lovely contemporary ones as well. New Potato, Watercress and Bacon Salad is so simple but sustaining and uses meat as a seasoning rather than the main event. Leeks, Peas and Haddock Baked in a Bag is another of those dishes that makes you look like a finalist for Masterchef. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare and just 30 minutes to cook. A stunner for a dinner party or to impress the mother-in law.

Veg – The Cookbook is a sensible, readable volume. It’s attractive, with brilliant photographs by Simon Brown but above all it’s a book you’ll use. Good value for money.

Veg – The Cookbook
Author: Gregg Wallace
Published by: Mitchell Beazley
Price: £12.99
ISBN 978-1-84533-453-6