A story with a happy ending and great recipes.  The story, not unfamiliar, a woman finds herself divorced with ends to meet and a child to feed.  She does what she has to do.  In Linda's case, she takes what she has--her mother's recipes--along with some business sense and a red wagon and heads out each morning to sell muffins in her neighborhood.  If the story doesn't get you interested, the muffins (and other goodies) will win you over for sure.  The cookbook is filled with narratives and black and white family photos of Linda, her mother and her son,...

Julia is gone, but her recipes and style lives on through her many cookbooks.  She and her good friend Jacques share and compare notes and of course, cook each recipe their way.  There is a public television series that accompanies the cookbook.  It is such enjoyment to see them together.  They cook these recipes at home and so can you.  Yes, some of the recipes are 'fancy', not something you would do after a long day at the office, but the cookbook cover the basics as well as more complicated topics.  Topics include soups, eggs, salads and sandwiches.  And yes,...

This cookbook of recipes you can make in 45 minutes or less has been around a long time, but the recipes and information are solid and classic for folks just sticking their toes in vegetarian waters or for anyone looking for tried and true recipes and information.  I have a revised edition from 1986.  It is an excellent reference book.  Ms. Shulman organizes her cookbooks in a way that makes them easy to follow.  And this one is no exception.  I like that the recipes serve 4 to 6.  You just don't always know how new recipes will work out...

What a great book.  I was working my way through it long before there was Julie and Julia.  There are really healthy meals in this cookbook you can cook when you are tired, but want to cook something at home.  I have tried over a dozen recipes and keep it close at hand.  Another Moosewood Collective cookbook to add to the collection. 

Kathy Farrell-Kingsley is a former editor of Vegetarian Times.  This cookbook is one of my go-to reference books for all things vegetarian.  The book includes detailed descriptions of vegetables (of course), fruits, nuts, seeds, pasta, grains, sea vegetables and soy foods.   There are tips, techniques and recipes.  It is very organized with helpful illustrations.  

This book is full of recipes.  The caution is that many of the recipes have a long list of ingredients.  Lots of spices.  An opportunity to clean out those cabinets before they expire.  Often I do the prep in stages so as not to be overwhelmed.  I bought it this winter and plan to use it often.