Rating: 
Summary: Everything a cookbook should be
Review: A book has to really, really "WOW" me (or thoroughly disgust me) before I am willing to write a review. This cookbook obviously falls into the former category since I gave it five stars, and although it has all of the glowing reports it needs, I feel compelled to add my raves to the rest. I bought this book after my teenage daughter turned vegetarian in the hopes of finding a cookbook that would inspire me to make food that the whole family would enjoy. That means delicious enough that my non-vegetarin kids would eat it, gourmet enough that it satisfies my husband's soul as well as his tastebuds, and simple enough that I don't go off the deep end trying to prepare dinner while simultaneously helping kids with homework night after night. This book fits the bill. The food is authentic, simple, elegant, generally kid-friendly (ok, so I don't make the recipes with mushrooms or eggplant and expect my kids to fall all over themselves vying for seconds), and deliciously soul-satisfying. It is everything I look for in a cookbook and (sadly) very seldom find.
Rating:
Summary: Michele Boersma
Review: A good cookbook to add to the collection - whether you are a vegetarian or not. The soups are unique and flavorful (try the Orange Zest Fennel and Chickpea soup - sub orecchiette if you are not a chickpea fan. I am not a fennel seed fan but this soup which uses the fennel bulb, not the seeds, is outstanding!). The Porcini Mushroom and Artichoke/Sun-dried Tomato tarts are extremely good. You'll find a decent selection of simple and complex dishes. I am an avid cook and I was not disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: One of the top 3 cookbooks you could own.
Review: After purchasing this awesome cookbook about one month ago -- we have yet to cook from any other cookbook we own. Absolutely the best tasting, relatively quick to make, especially unique collection of Italian recipes! All selections are well-presented with an excellent blend of colors and a wide variety of choices. This is the "Joy of Cooking" of Italian Vegetarian Cookbooks and you do not have to be a vegetarian to love any and all of the recipes (I was not a vegetarian until buying this cookbook)!!!! You will not be sorry if you purchase this one!!!! If I'm lyin' -- I'm dyin'!! Really, It IS that good.
Rating:
Summary: still my favorite!
Review: Among my dozen or so vegetarian cookbooks, this one is still the best. The red bell peppers stuffed with saffron rice is unbelievably good, as is the lasagne stuffed with bechamel sauce and porcini mushrooms. The best part of this cookbook is that it's adventurous without being outlandish; you aren't asked to find ingredients that you'll never use again. And I've had the most success with the recipes in this book than in any other!
Rating:
Summary: well-tested, delicious recipes
Review: As a vegetarian and lover of Italian food, I am always looking for dishes flavorful and satisfying enough to please both me and my carnivore husband, and after trying several recipes from this book, we haven't been disappointed yet. Both the Three-Cheese and Tomato and Oregano Pizzas were incredible, and the Arugula, Pine Nut, and Parmesan Salad reminds you of just how delicious Italian simplicity can be. The vegetarian version of Spaghetti with Puttanesca sauce is also a real winner. This is clearly going to become one of the most frequently used cookbooks in my vast collection.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Based on the description, this looked like a perfect cookbook for me, since I am a vegetarian and I love Italian food. When I actually saw the book and started using it, I was very disappointed. The recipes generally require a lot of time, either in preparing the food or in the time that it takes to cook (e.g., two or more hours in the oven). These recipes would work for someone who is at home all day, but I'm not. Despite being time-consuming, in most cases the lists of ingredients are simple -- but as a result, the food I made from this cookbook was extremely bland. It's possible I just picked bad recipes, but reading over other ones gave me little confidence that other choices would have been better.
Rating:
Summary: Just essential!
Review: Bishop has done a fantastic job with this book. The ingredients are simple, the steps are simple, and the results are delicious. There's a helpful index in the back of various ingredients, how to store, how to buy, etc...as well as a listing of places to get some hard-to-find ingredients. Just great.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Delicious
Review: Every recipe from this book that I have made has turned out excellent! I also appreciate the layout: each section lists all the recipes at the beginning so it's easy to plan a menu (author also has included many of his own menu suggestions) and to find recipes using ingredients that one already has on hand. The contents/sections are broken up into several different catagories ranging from antipasto, to polenta, to vegetable main courses and even vegetable side dishes, again making it easy to find just the recipe that you are looking for. The recipes are very clear, simple and easy to follow. Not very many photos, if that's important.
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic Cookbook
Review: First, I'd like to urge the reader below who gave the title a single star to please try another recipe from the book. (Might I recommend the FANTASTIC recipie for baked tomato and potatoes and herbs... Not bland, at all, and it takes perhaps an hour to prepare, and 40 minutes to cook. But pleae start with a Good olive oil, and fresh tomatoes, or you'll be qute dissappointed, good ingredients are ofteen the key to a successful recipe.) I'm a full time student, and I work 35 hours in addition to that, and I never find these recipes too time consuming, (unless of course, I'm tackling lasagne.) This book has been my source for improvisation and inspiration in the kitchen for about a year and a half. It is my favorite cookbook by far, and I use it for special occasions and when I want to impress my friends, many of whom have been to italy, and are suprised at the authentic flavor I am able to produce. However, I would tend to agree with the anonymous reviewer in Seattle when he/she states that the recipes are not always "low fat."
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Summary: veggie - schmeggie, this is just great food. A great book
Review: For several months we have using this book to create countless meals, all delicious, simple to prepare, and healthy. I kept thinking I should get around to writing my first amazon review - I have been that impressed with this book. Come to find, legions of other reader/cooks have said it all. So I can only concur with the raves of everyone else here. Although we are not strict vegetarians in our house, we do try to maintain a healthy diet. Still, enjoyment of great food is something of a passion, and the pleasures of family, friends and a great meal are well nigh to sacred for us. This book, with its numerous ideas and recipes, does it all - great food, which just happens to match fairly closely what I think are are very sensible dietary guidelines. (check out Andrew Weil's book on diet and nutrition - he knows healthy eating but also clearly loves good food. Weil had better get this book if he doesn't alkready own it.) We've scarcely eaten anything else outside this book for months, and we still haven't got through all the ideas, cause we keep going back to try favourites again and again. Very, very difficult to imagine anyone not being delighted with this book. Well done Jack Bishop!
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