The Good Book.

Summer vegetable casseroles
Monday, August 6, 2007

Vegetarian recipes from recently released cookbooks:

"The Vegetarian Cook's Bible," by Pat Crocker (Robert Rose, 2007)

Pat Crocker's book lays a claim to the title of bible, not only because of its broad range of recipes, but because it preaches the right life -- for a vegetarian. As any veggie or vegan knows, nutrition is a tricky balance, and Crocker spends the first 130 pages explaining nutritional content and health benefits of virtually all ingredients found in the recipes. She also details the idea of nutrition targeted at each bodily system: cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, immune, musculoskeletal, nervous and respiratory. You are what you eat, and Crocker wants you to make that connection with every bite of food you put in your mouth. She also makes the hard sell to non-vegetarians, exhorting them to think of the significant health benefits of cutting out the meat. Recipes take you from breakfast to dessert with all the green goodness in between. Each page includes additional tips on food storage and for making dishes vegan.

-- Evelyn Shih
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Summer vegetable casseroles

* 3 ears fresh corn
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1½ cups chopped zucchini
* ½ cup chopped red onion
* 3 cups shredded beets
* 1 cup cooked spelt kernels
* 2/3 cup shredded Swiss cheese
* 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

Slice kernels from corn cobs over a bowl and set kernels aside. Run the blunt end of a knife down each cut cob over a small bowl, allowing remaining solids and corn "milk" or liquor to collect in bowl. Reserve liquid and discard cobs. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add corn kernels, zucchini and onion. Saute for 5 minutes or until onion is soft. Stir in beets, spelt, cheese, thyme and corn liquid and stir to combine.

Spoon vegetable mixture equally into six prepared 2-inch ramekins. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbly. Serve immediately.

Servings: 6.

Copyright © 2007 North Jersey Media Group Inc.