Cookbooks to inspire and learn: vegetables and sides?

[Ramathorn]

"You cannot run away from weakness; you must some time fight it out or perish; and if that be so, why not now, and where you stand?"

Maybe a bit dramatic, but I've been thinking critically, lately, about my development as a cook. I'll note here an amateur, though enthusiastic, cook. I've come to the conclusion that my weakness now is a lack of creativity with respect to vegetables, both as sides and mains. And sides generally.

I've become so immersed in cooking the perfect, moist, flavourful chicken breast; mastering a med-rare rib eye, or cedar smoking a fillet of salmon so it's flakey but not overcooked; etc.--not to mention my latest experiments with cooking sous vide--that vegetables/sides have become kind of an afterthought. Carelessly steamed or sautéed and tossed on the plate next to the "true prize".

I know there's lots to learn. Any recommendations for books/resources that might help me both with ideas and technique for improving this area?

Thanks!

[rotuts]

there was a Vegetable Cookbook thread recently here. ...

I like

http://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-Cooking-Everyone-Deborah-Madison/dp/0767927478/ref=la_B000AP5WPI_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365011544&sr=1-2

I also like Peterson's books:

http://www.amazon.com/Vegetables-Revised-Authoritative-Preparing-Cooking/dp/1607740265/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365011532&sr=1-1&keywords=vegetable

many others are around.

[Ramathorn]

Apologies, you're right. I found that thread here:

http://forums.egullet.org/topic/142898-books-about-vegetables/

Please disregard this thread, the other conversation is much further along.

[rotuts]

but take a peak at those two books!

[Ramathorn]

I definitely will! Thank you for the suggestions.

Edited April 3, 2013 by Ramathorn (log)

[ninagluck]

what I missed at the other thread is following:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alexis-Gauthier-Vegetronic/dp/184809387X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365012978&sr=8-1

[rotuts]

this might be coming in PB:

http://www.amazon.com/Vegetronic-Alexis-Gauthier/dp/0770435025/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365013581&sr=1-2&keywords=Alexis+Gauthier%3A+Vegetronic

[ninagluck]

it's out in the UK already and i have got my copy.............

[rotuts]

Sooooooooooooo how good is it?

[ninagluck]

you don't want to know! ;-) it has got following sections: juices, flowers& herbs, vegetables and finally fruits. various recipes for each single thing. e.g.asparagus: green asparagus, lemon confit, poached quails egg and parmesan crisp! warm salad of green asparagus, gnocchi of ricotta & crunchy bacon! medley of white asparagus, wild garlic leaves & crispy chicken skin! want to suffer more? ;-)

[rotuts]

Yar ! I do ! my library system will get this ( at some point ! )

thanks for the Tip!

[ninagluck]

you won't regret it!

[jpaschkis]

Deborah Madison's new book Vegetable Literacy is a great book to cook and learn from. Her recipes are elegant and simple. She writes about the vegetables in a way that her cookbook is a springboard for your own creativity as well as just a collection of recipes. Vegetables Every Day by Jack Bishop is another one that is handy.