January cookery bookclub: we're going veggie

[glorious]

Come and join the cookery bookclub! Each month we choose a couple of books/blogs/magazines and cook at least two new recipes of our choice from each.

This month we're reprising some favourites from last year with a veggie theme. The two books are Ottolenghi's Plenty and River Cottage Veg Every Day.

People will also be adding their own veggie favourites from other books and blogs.

[HuevosRancheros]

I'm in! :)

[FluffyRedSocks]

Sounds interesting!

[pregnantpause]

Thanks for the new thread glorious- and huevos thanks for the tops on the old thread

I'm meal planning this evening so will delve into the books and make sure I include a fair amount of new veggie recipes.

I've got my daughters birthday party buffet on Saturday to cater for and intend on making a fair amount of veggie offerings - any recommendations ?

[TwoLittleTerrors]

Thanks glorious. I'll have a look at Plenty again. Favorites in Chez Terror includes the very full tart, soba noodles with mango and aubergine, paella, black bean quesadillas, puy lentils galletes, some sort of green fritters (can't remember what it's called), coconut rice with sambal and okra green beans, a quinoa salad with broad beans and curry powder, lettuce salads, etc, etc. I love the book.

Have always wanted to try the black pepper tofu, but it looks quite scary with the amount of tofu.

Never warmed to River Cottage Veg, but I'm interested to see what others like in the book.

[TwoLittleTerrors]

pregnantpause would you be making hummus? I like the beetroot one in River Cottage Veg. I might try the other hummus in the book too this month.

[couldhavebeenme]

Place marking as have both these books. Might struggle with something new from veg everyday - love that book!

[glorious]

The black pepper tofu is delicious, two. Very peppery, though. I think you could use less without too much effect.

The green pancakes are lovely, too.

Just did our meal plan including Hugh pinto bean chilli and roasted sprouts with shallots.

[silverjohnleggedit]

I have both those books, can't get excited by Hugh's offerings, but I love Plenty!

[glorious]

Join us silver and share your favourites from Plenty! You never know, someone might inspire you to cook from the other one as well

pregnantpause what about cheese borek and veg with a few dips like tzatsiki, hummus etc? Not sure of age or fussiness of children concerned though! Marmite sarnies (Nigella method)?

[VeryPunny]

Can I join in? Have newborn DS and toddler DD so input might be limited...

I have both books but can't get on with Plenty. Nothing much in there that I think makes a meal I would want to eat, and the stuff I do fancy has obscure ingredients/is too Taffy. That said, I did like the black pepper tofu!

On the other hand, I love HFW's Veg. The pinto bean chilli and mushroom risonio are both staples here.

[TwoLittleTerrors]

verypunny I have a 3mo and a 3yo. I would be happy if I can make one new thing from the two books this month.

[TwoLittleTerrors]

It also sounds like I need to look at the pinto bean chilli. Especially since it sounds like something I can do in the slow cooker.

[couldhavebeenme]

Just flicking through for ideas of what we like in our house.

River cottage:
All the pizzas and fold overs
Leek and cheese toastie
Frittatas
Biryani
Risottos and speltottos
Flat onion bhajis
Spinach and thyme pasties
Halloumi kebabs
Stuffed peppers with feta and pesto
Oven roasted ratatouille
North African squash and chickpea stew
Kale and mushroom lasagne
Beet top tart
Salads - the mushroom and squash, the courgette and green bean, the spelt with squash, the herby peanuty noodly

Plenty:
Surprise tatin
Leek fritters
Garlic tart
Stuffed onions
Stuffed portobello
Broccoli and Gorgonzola pie
Smoky frittata
Lentils with grilled aubergines
Quesadillas
Chard and saffron omelettes
Green pancakes
Broad bean burgers I liked others not so keen
Fried butter beans
Castelluccio lentils with tomatoes and Gorgonzola
Avocado quinoa and broad bean salad
Pasta an fried courgette salad
Ultimate winter cous cous

That turned out to be a long list!

[pregnantpause]

Ohh could have nice list- last time we covered veg the chips and carrot and broad bean risotto came out very favourably worth a try if you haven't already done so

[pregnantpause]

The shashuska (sp) and medjera were popular from plenty too which aren't on your list ( though plenty, and indeed any ottolenghi we've ever covered was enjoyed across the board with no particular highlights amongst the lovely dishes as they're all equally good)

[couldhavebeenme]

Pregnantpause - thanks for the ideas, they don't sound familiar so I'll look them up and give them a go!

[glorious]

very you're most welcome, just do whatever you want and can manage. My DD was only about 8 weeks when this started and I was quite hard pushed at first she's nearly 2 now

Great list. I remember loving the kale pizza from HFW. Will have to flick through both for other recommendations.

[HuevosRancheros]

Pregnant/couldhave - think shakshuka and mejadra were from Jerusalem?

[Chillycamper]

Wow these recipes sound great.
Veggie and stuck in a rut. I don't have either of these books so will get at least one now you have inspired me.
Thanks

[pregnantpause]

I'd trust huevos over me on this I haven't checked I'm going on memory

[HuevosRancheros]

Actually, he seems to do shakshuka in both - must be worth making!

I didn't really like HFW, but did like the beetroot and walnut hummus that got raved about on here.... may have to revisit :)

[pregnantpause]

I remember trying both shashuskas (hughs and ottos) around the same time to compare- Hugh's was a perfectly edible pepper stew with an egg, ottos was really delicious and , to my limited taste, far more ' exotic'

[silverjohnleggedit]

Shakshuka is one of those dishes that has many variations. We used to make one that one very very onion dense with some tomato and balsamic vinegar, another one add globe artichokes with a dollop of ricotta in between the eggs. Hugh's version has peppers. I made one last night with smoked paprika chickpeas and butternut squash....it's a great hangover breakfast.

[Eeek]

Just got Anna Jones A modern way to eat. Absolutely gorgeous, her charred pepper and halloumi stew made me and DC very happy

[glorious]

HFW recommendations:

• squash and fennel lasagne
  
• merguez chickpeas
  
• squash and blue cheese toasties (more an idea than a recipe)
  
• beetroot hummus
  
• dukkah
  
• raw tomato pasta (a bit too summery)
  
• lettuce cheese and spring onion tart