I actually don’t mind cooking, when the notion strikes me. Yes, surprising as it may seem (given my close, personal relationship with my microwave) sometimes having pots bubbling away and the oven whirring is quite a comforting scene and as we head into the cooler months, I feel like it’s something I should probably be doing more of. Especially now I have someone to cook for (even if he does prefer getting pizza).

So it was extremely convenient that The Green Kitchen should land on my front doorstep last week, trumpeting the benefits of a meat free diet and just how tasty vegetarian can be. After a colleague had participated in Meat Free Week, and I’d eaten my weight in steak in Paris, the timing was perfect.

David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl the authors of the Green Kitchen Stories blog and now the proud owners of this book, The Green Kitchen. The book features 100 of their favourite recipes that combine everyday pantry staples with fresh, in?season produce. David and Luise tell the stories of their family kitchen, affirming just how easy it is to create nourishing, well?balanced dishes on a daily basis.

And its a beautiful book, the kind you want to keep on display in your kitchen when friends come over (unlike my sad state of affairs which is usually an oil stained printout from taste.com or a sauce splattered laptop).

So what kind of recipes are in the book? How about a herb and asparagus frittata for breakfast, fennel and coconut tart for lunch, and beet bourguignon for a supper to share with friends. Dessert isn’t forgotten either with frozen strawberry cheesecake, summer berry pancake cake and delicious spirulina chocolate truffles.

And if you find the meat eater in your house just can’t bear to go without, why not whip up one of the yummy veggie dishes for you both, and sinply add some poached chicken or grilled lamb cutlets to their meal?

David and Luise are really proud of the book they have put together, hoping it will inspire others to have a go at making their diets less meat based and experiment with the variety vegetarian can offer. And did I mention that most of the recipes are gluten free?

You’ll find me in the kitchen…..

The Green Kitchen
David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl
Hardie Grant Publishing
RRP $49.95