For Bettina Vitell the simple art of cooking holds the seeds to a deeper, more life-enriching experience. It is a way to become more aware of ourselves and the world around us, to think clearly and to delight in even the most basic daily activities of our lives. The dishes in A Taste of Heaven and Earth reflect this Zen philosophy. Bettina Vitell's uncomplicated recipes produce sophisticated, creative meals without ever losing site of her goal of preparing low-dairy vegetarian food. Tastes from both East and West merge with delicious results: here kale and tofu adorn pizza, and udon noodles are dressed with pesto. There are recipes for soup stock and tomato sauce, as well as cashew ginger sauce and apricot lime chutney. The homey breakfast and dessert sections provide recipes for muffins and crisps; and sections on pizza, sushi, curries, and Mexican-inspired foods expand the traditional range of vegetarian cooking. A Taste of Heaven and Earth explores beyond the reaches of traditional cook-books by offering contemplative essays and ink drawings that heighten the cook's sensory experience in the kitchen. They provide questions and stories that help readers realize the simplicity and beauty inherent in preparing and eating good food.

Bettina Vitell's professional experience includes acting as the chief cook of a monastery and creating The Beat'n Path Cafe, one of New York City's first natural foods restaurants. She lives in San Francisco, where she teaches cooking and leads sensory awareness workshops.

Acknowledgments	p. xiii
Foreword	p. xv
Introduction	p. 1
Kitchen Notes	p. 5
What is the Taste of Cooking?	p. 11
Soups
Carrot Soup	p. 17
Cream of Broccoli Soup	p. 18
Butternut Squash and Ginger Soup	p. 19
Spicy Pea Soup	p. 20
Summer Vegetable Soup with Basil Sauce	p. 21
French Onion Soup	p. 22
Tomato and Navy Bean Soup	p. 23
Corn Chowder	p. 24
Black Bean Soup	p. 25
Miso Soup	p. 26
Dashi	p. 27
White Gazpacho	p. 28
Sweet Potato Vichyssoise	p. 29
Hearty Beet Soup	p. 30
Lentil Soup with Mint	p. 31
Soup Stock	p. 32
Pasta and Grains
Some Simple Pasta Ideas	p. 38
Cold Soba Noodles	p. 38
Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce	p. 38
Udon Noodles with Pesto	p. 38
Pasta with Cashew Ginger Sauce	p. 38
Szechuan Green Beans and Soba	p. 39
Pasta with Steamed Vegetables and Garlic Sauce	p. 40
Rigatoni with Japanese Eggplants and Basil	p. 41
Noodles with Diablo Sauce and Greens	p. 42
Spinach Broccoli Lasagne	p. 43
Tomato and Zucchini Primavera	p. 44
Mushroom Stroganoff	p. 45
Spicy Spring Pasta	p. 46
Fettuccine with Fresh Greens	p. 47
Red Rice Pilaf	p. 48
Risotto with Swiss Chard	p. 49
Asparagus Risotto	p. 50
Stir-Fry Rice and Vegetables	p. 51
East West Stir-Fry	p. 52
Primavera Rice	p. 53
Polenta	p. 54
Basic Polenta	p. 54
Polenta with Basil and Tomatoes	p. 55
Polenta with Green Chilis and Red Peppers	p. 55
Polenta Casserole	p. 55
Polenta with Black Beans	p. 56
Couscous with Mushrooms	p. 57
Curry Pilaf with Chick-Peas and Couscous	p. 58
Wild Rice Pilaf	p. 59
Curries
Curry Vegetable Stew	p. 69
Coconut Curry Vegetables	p. 70
Spicy Squash Stew	p. 71
Summer Mint and Apple Chutney	p. 72
Yogurt Raita with Cucumber	p. 73
Yogurt Raita with Ginger and Honey	p. 73
Tomato Coconut Raita	p. 74
Mexican Tastes
Black Bean Chili	p. 78
Chili Stew	p. 79
Steamed Tortillas	p. 79
Refried Bean Burrito with Salsa Verde	p. 80
Bean Enchiladas	p. 81
Cheese Enchiladas	p. 81
Mushroom Enchiladas with Red Pepper Sauce	p. 82
Salsa Verde	p. 83
Tomato Salsa	p. 84
Red Pepper Sauce	p. 84
Tostadas	p. 85
Tostadas with Red Pepper Sauce	p. 85
Tostadas with Tomato Salsa, Avocado, and Black Olives	p. 85
Quesadillas	p. 86
Guacamole	p. 87
Jicama with Lime	p. 88
Nachos	p. 89
Sushi Ideas
Sushi	p. 95
Sushi Rice	p. 96
Cucumber Sushi	p. 97
Sweet Omelet Sushi	p. 98
California-Style Sushi	p. 99
Sushi Salad	p. 100
Vietnamese Spring Rolls	p. 101
Pizzas and Vegetable Tarts
Whole Wheat Pizza Dough	p. 106
Mushroom Tomato Pizza	p. 107
Summer Garden Pizza	p. 108
Pesto Pizza	p. 109
Pizza with Kale and Tofu	p. 110
Potato and Red Pepper Pizza	p. 111
Carrot and Beet Pizza	p. 112
Bruschetta with Tomatoes and Basil	p. 113
Vegetable Tarts	p. 114
Whole Wheat Tart Pastry	p. 114
Pepper Tart	p. 115
Swiss Chard and Tomato Tart	p. 116
Vegetable Dishes
Baked Tomatoes	p. 121
Broiled Tomatoes with Cilantro Pesto	p. 121
Baked New Potatoes with Rosemary	p. 121
Roasted Japanese Eggplants with Sesame Butter	p. 122
Cauliflower Gratin	p. 123
Zucchini Fritters	p. 124
Potato Provencal	p. 125
Butternut, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, and Ginger	p. 126
Hot and Spicy Cajun Shish Kebabs	p. 127
Roasted Autumn Vegetables	p. 128
Southwestern Potato Pancakes	p. 129
Stuffed Zucchini	p. 130
Ratatouille	p. 131
Spicy Aduki Beans	p. 132
Stir-Fry Tofu	p. 133
Salads
Mesclun Salad	p. 140
Mixed Green Salad with Aduki Beans	p. 141
Croutons	p. 141
Mixed Greens with Zucchini, Red Pepper, and Sunflower Seeds	p. 142
Carrot and Navy Bean Mixed Salad	p. 142
Broccoli Salad with Tofu and Chili Lime Basil Dressing	p. 143
Jicama and Avocado Salad	p. 143
Thai Carrot Salad with Peanuts	p. 144
Tofu Salad	p. 145
Mediterranean Green Salad	p. 146
Lentil Salad	p. 147
Marinated Tomatoes	p. 148
Potato Salad	p. 149
Thai Noodle Salad	p. 150
Cajun Coleslaw	p. 151
Caramelized Walnuts	p. 151
Broccoli, Shiitake, and Tomato Salad	p. 152
Zucchini Salad	p. 153
Avocado and Red Peppers	p. 154
Pear, Jicama, and Beet Salad	p. 155
Sauces and Salad Dressings
Basic Tomato Sauce	p. 161
Sweet Red Sauce	p. 162
Bechamel Sauce	p. 163
Pesto	p. 164
Parsley Pesto	p. 164
Cilantro Pesto	p. 164
Asian-Style Peanut Sauce	p. 165
Cashew Ginger Sauce	p. 165
Ewa's Honey Mustard Dressing	p. 166
Basic Olive Oil Dressing	p. 166
Chili Lime Basil Dressing	p. 167
Cajun Dressing	p. 167
Orange Raspberry Vinaigrette	p. 167
Red Pepper Relish	p. 168
Apricot Lime Chutney	p. 168
East West Salsa	p. 169
Spicy Sesame Butter	p. 169
Breakfast Ideas
Surprise Pancakes	p. 175
Buckwheat Pancakes	p. 176
Spoon Bread	p. 177
Breakfast Crepes	p. 178
Yogurt-Orange Sauce	p. 179
Popovers	p. 180
Muffins	p. 181
Scrambled Tofu	p. 182
Huevos Rancheros	p. 183
Ranchero Sauce	p. 183
Hot Stewed Fruits with Ricotta	p. 184
Seiko's Sublime Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce	p. 185
Desserts
Sweet Tart Pastry	p. 191
Fruit Tart	p. 192
Lemon Tart with Berries	p. 193
Pear Custard Tart	p. 194
Pastry Dough	p. 195
Deep-Dish Apple Pie	p. 196
Linzertorte	p. 197
Plum Torte	p. 197
Fresh Fruit Ices	p. 199
Pineapple Lime Ice	p. 199
Lemon Ice	p. 199
Raspberry Ice	p. 200
Apple Pudding	p. 201
Ginger Custard with Lime	p. 202
Creme Anglaise	p. 203
Maple Bread Pudding	p. 204
Menus	p. 207
Glossary of Ingredients	p. 211
Appendixes
What Is Zen: A Brief Explanation	p. 215
Sensory Awareness: "The Rediscovery of Experiencing"	p. 217
Index	p. 219
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.

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