Mediterranean Vegetarian Feasts

Book excerpt: 150 simply yet abundantly flavorful recipes for irresistible Mediterranean vegetarian dishes you can enjoy at home. Aglaia Kremezi, who first introduced Greek cooking to an American audience with her award-winning book The Foods of Greece, leads a cook’s tour of the entire Mediterranean with Mediterranean Vegetarian Feasts. Realizing that so many of the traditional dishes of the Mediterranean diet are naturally meat-free, Kremezi has collected 150 simple yet abundantly flavorful recipes that will appeal to even the most ardent carnivore. Opening with detailed descriptions of essential ingredients and the basic preparations that make the most of seasonal shopping at farmers’ markets, she takes us from meze and soups to mains and desserts, with dishes like Toasted Red Lentil and Bulgar Patties; Roasted Cauliflower with Zahter Relish; Pseudo-Moussaka (a meatless version of the classic); Quince Stuffed with Wheat Berries, Nuts, and Raisins; and Rose Petal and Yogurt Mousse. Kremezi’s arsenal of master recipes for spice, nut, and herb mixtures, sauces, jams, and pastes inspired by eastern Mediterranean and North African traditions transform even the humblest vegetable or grain into an irresistible dish. Praise for Mediterranean Vegetarian Feasts “Aglaia Kremezi’s fine sense of flavor and seasonality is captured in this beautiful celebration of Mediterranean cooking. In these thoughtfully considered recipes, her deep understanding of vegetables, fruits, and herbs is paired with a respect for tradition and place—and the results are universally delicious.” —Alice Waters, owner of Chez Panisse and author of The Art of Simple Food “A teacher, a cook, a master storyteller, and a friend: Aglaia is all of these things to me, my team, and so many others. Her generous spirit is alive in this book. And now, more than ever, her amazing look at the rich and robust vegetables at the heart of Mediterranean cooking could not be more important. Everyone wants to eat smart, healthy, and always with lots of flavor!”—José Andrés, chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup including Zaytinya, Jaleo, and The Bazaar by José Andrés