Just Jennifer

A Modern Way to Eat Anna Jones

Trained by Jamie Oliver, cook and food writer Anna Jones has created and compiled a book of recipes for how we wish we could eat if we had the time and if healthy food tasted good.  Using seasonal and surprising ingredients, Jones takes vegetarian eating to an entirely new level being mindful of the environment, your economics and above all, taste and feeling satisfied but not overfull.  Jones explains the way she puts together a recipe in a simple chart starting with the “hero Ingredient” and how to cook it, what ingredients will play a supporting and accent role, add flavor, an herb, some crunch and finally, a garnish.  These easily arranged charts appear throughout the book demystifying smoothies, seasonal herbs, pasta, pesto and hummus, soups, salads and more.   Drawing her flavors from all over the world (from maple peanut California wraps to dosa-spiced potato cakes to walnut miso broth with udon noodles) Jones makes each meal interesting and flavorful; her ingredients are easy to find and she offers substitutes to suite your individual taste.  Fun ingredients turn up in unexpected places, such as popcorn in tacos, adding an element of whimsy.  Most recipes can be prepared in advance or quickly on a busy weeknight but are still elegant enough to be served at a dinner party.  A “what to do with weird stuff” chart will be helpful for Community Supported Agriculture members when they peak into their weekly produce box or for those more adventurous eaters.  After pages of healthy vegetarian recipes, Jones doesn’t forget the sweets, focusing again on seasonal ingredients and high flavor spices allowing for more healthful recipes.  Beverages, jams and other tasty condiments round out this useful compendium.  Colorful photos, short introductions to each recipe combined with Jones’s easy but  earnest style, along with over 200 accessible, healthful and tasty recipes are sure to make this cookbook an new classic.  FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.