In honor of back-to-school month, I’ll be reviewing a new cookbook every week and will give away a copy of each one.
It is hard not to let artists or chefs’ personalities affect my feelings about their work. I avoid interviews of actors I admire because if they sound unlikeable, I can’t get past it while watching their films.
Many years ago, as a youngster while at my first job in the specialty food industry, I attended the Aspen Food & Wine festival. During the opening cocktail hour, I scanned the crowd and found myself amongst the greats – Jacque Pepin, Pierre Herme and Charlie Trotter. I overhead a conversation Charlie Trotter was having with someone that really turned me off. Though he ran one of the most famous restaurants in Chicago, I never got past my unfortunate eavesdrop and never dined at his establishment.
Luckily, my magnet works both ways and attractive personalities draw me in. A few months ago, I was asked by an acquaintance at the Harvard Common Press if I would host a gathering of bloggers in Chicago to welcome new author, Michael Natkin. Before the event, I hadn’t yet discovered his blog, Herbivoracious.
A few dozen bloggers gathered at Heaven on Seven in downtown Chicago to get a glimpse at Michael’s new book and meet the man behind the meatless recipes. Michael is not a professionally trained chef nor is he a professional photographer. The father of two has traveled the world, embraced vegetarian cooking and found success in the culinary world through his blog and his new book. You would think that along with his success and accolades would come a healthy portion of ego or a large dose of self importance. Not so.
At the Chicago event, I found that Michael was gracious and thoughtful, taking the time to converse with the attendees. He has a soft warmth about him and though I spent very little time talking to him myself, I found him likeable.
Over the following weeks, as I leafed through the pages of Herbivoracious, I was captivated by the beautiful, straight forward photography. Many of the recipes are a bit out of my usual comfort zone using spices or ingredients that aren’t normally in my pantry. But after reading the authors brief forward to each recipe, each seems more approachable and possible. More friendly. More likeable.
Michael’s recipes have a unique flair. His photography is mesmerizing. The book is beautifully designed. Tying it all together is a dose of Michael’s warmth and his gentle encouragement for omnivores to explore more vegetarian cuisine and for vegetarians to expand their repertoires.
The author writes, “I propose to bring you a collection of vegetarian recipes that are so full of flavor, so pleasurable to make and to eat, and so satisfying that, if you are an omnivore, you won’t give a second thought to the fact that they contain no meat. If you are a vegetarian, you’ll be able to greatly expand your repertoire of everyday and special-occasion dishes.”
Whether you are an omnivore, vegetarian or vegan, I’m quite sure you will find a recipe or two in this book to add to your usual routine. At the very least, you will enjoy the colorful photography and the story of a self-trained man who I think deserves all the success that comes his way.
This giveaway is closed. Congratulations to Robin who won the copy of Herbivoracious.
If you don’t win, this hard cover book is on sale at Amazon for under $14!
September 9th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
I enjoy meatless meals many times each week. I think anyone would enjoy this book.
September 9th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
That looks like a beautiful book! I primarily cook vegetarian at home and this would be a wonderful addition to my life!
September 9th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
I’m always trying to find more ways to add vegetables to our meals!
September 9th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Awesome giveaway – this cookbook looks fantastic!
September 9th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
I thought I was the only one who had the quirk of not being able to watch a film b/c someone was not likable! About a month ago I started cooking one vegetarian meal a week. Now I’m always looking for new meatless recipes.
September 9th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Looks like a great book, I can use it around here.
September 9th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
I’ve been trying to get my meat loving roommate to eat more vegetarian dishes with me, but she can’t always get past the thought of tofu. Sounds like a great book to take a look at!
September 9th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
This book was totally under my radar! It sounds like just what I need to spice up my culinary repertoire.
September 9th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
I love your site. Great giveaway.
September 9th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
i follow his blog and would love to add this to my collection!
September 9th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
What a happy coincidence that I follow both blogs. I’d love this book!
September 9th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
I am a vegetarian, and always looking for new ideas. This book sounds great. Thanks for hosting this, and I love your blog! :)
September 9th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
John would love this as he is always encouraging me to cook more vegetarian meals ;)
September 9th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Looks like a beautiful book! Veggie love!
September 9th, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Wuld love to add more vegetarian recipes to our family repertoire!
September 9th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Nom nom nom! Looks super yummy!
September 9th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Perfect timing! This year I have slowly made my way into vegetarian cuisine and not only has my body has thanked me but my family loves it, too. Clean eating, organic ingredients and lots of herbs and spices are now a staple in our home. I was just thinking about finding a Vegetarian cookbook but didn’t know where to start. Thank you!
September 9th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
It looks like a wonderful book. I’d love to add it to my collection. Thanks for the giveaway!
September 9th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Recipes that beautiful make eating vegetarian so easy! :)
September 9th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
We have been trying to increase the number of our vegetarian meals and this looks like a fun book to help us out!
September 9th, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Always nice to know there’s a good person behind a good book! :)
September 9th, 2012 at 11:00 pm
I’ve heard great things about this book!
September 9th, 2012 at 11:46 pm
Always looking for meatless recipies. This book seems like it’s a great source!
September 10th, 2012 at 12:01 am
Love your description of this book…..who wouldn’t want it?
September 10th, 2012 at 7:14 am
AWESOME!!!! Pick me! Pick me! \o/
September 10th, 2012 at 7:28 am
What a brilliant title! I’d pick up this book for that alone. :) And if you say they’re do-able, then I’m down. And love the second picture with your daughter’s pudgy little hand. My two similarily sized guys just left the house for the day and your picture makes me wish they’d turn around and come right back. :)(Come for the hugs, stay for the delicious food.)
September 10th, 2012 at 7:58 am
yum
September 10th, 2012 at 8:04 am
It is always nice to add some fresh inspiration when planning our vegetarian menu.. This book sounds like it would do the job being both approachable and having great photos!
September 10th, 2012 at 8:28 am
Transitioning to being a vegetarian has been difficult! I’m sure this book would help me get inspired.
September 10th, 2012 at 8:36 am
I’m so excited to have found his blog! I’m cooking a vegetarian Thanksgiving this year and his site has given me so many ideas. I will definately be picking up his book!
September 10th, 2012 at 9:32 am
Always looking for good, new vegetarian recipes! Would love to read this book!
September 10th, 2012 at 9:37 am
I would love to win this cookbook – my husband and I primarily eat a vegetarian diet, and we’re always looking for new creative things to cook!
September 10th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Love your blog. I’m a recent convert to the vegetarian plate and would love to add new ideas to my repertoire. Thanks!!
September 10th, 2012 at 11:19 am
I would love, LOVE a copy!
September 10th, 2012 at 11:49 am
This book looks fabulous and I love your blog. I have been looking for more vegetarian ideas for meals. Especially after seeing the documentary “Forks over Knives” a must see.. Thank you!
September 10th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
This book looks great! Thanks for the giveaway.
September 10th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
I follow his blog and love it. The book looks wonderful and I would love to have a copy. I am trying to incorporate more vegetarian dishes and ideas in to my meals and menus for others. As a diabetic I get tired of eating the same old vegetable dishes but even though I use to be a line cook sometimes I am just not as inspired as I should be. This books looks like fun.
I also would like to wish him huge success with it.
September 10th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
The recipes on his blog look delicious, some simple and some more complex. I would love introduce more veggie-friendly recipes to my family. Thank you!
September 10th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
This book looks great – I love browsing veg cookbooks to mix up dinners.
September 10th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
As a herbivore I’m always looking for new and delicious veg-cookbooks! Herivoracious looks amazing, plus I know I can trust your discerning opinion : )
September 10th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Herbivorcious is great! He has a savory chickpea recipe on his blog that I make every Thanksgiving for my vegetarian sister. Yum!
September 10th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
Yum! Herbs sure do make everything taste better!
September 10th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
As a poor student, I’m often checking up on Herbivoracious! I love the colours on the cover page. Looks lovely.
September 10th, 2012 at 10:39 pm
I have been a vegetarian since 1st grade and am in desperate need of new recipe ideas. This book looks great!
September 10th, 2012 at 11:36 pm
I love vegetarian dishes… Especially ones that I can convince my husband to eat ;)
September 11th, 2012 at 3:19 am
Being a student, meat-free dishes are perfect for the budget! (And so are free books ;-) )
(btw I live in Denmark – don’t know if that makes me unable to win?)
September 11th, 2012 at 6:53 am
It’s fantastic to add new recipes to our collection.
September 11th, 2012 at 6:54 am
This book looks lovely. I’m always looking to add recipes for veggie lovers!
September 11th, 2012 at 10:28 am
This cookbook looks beautiful! I’d love to try it!
September 11th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Could use more good veg recipes in my life!
September 11th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
I have been working on having more meals without meat and sounds like this book would be a great help.
September 11th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Looks pretty awesome. I need more veg recipes outside my comfort zone. PS Husband and I just moved to downtown Chicago from M’ssippi last week and when you mentioned the blog party at Heaven on Seven, I thought, “I’ve walked by that place before!” Couldn’t tell you how to get to it though… :).
September 11th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Looks like a good book, but I REALLY want those pink and white cowgirl boots that the model is wearing in the photos! : )
September 11th, 2012 at 5:30 pm
thanks for this giveaway!