Fruit and Vegetable Books

This isn't your grandma's canning! Frances Bissell offers an extensive array of wonderful recipes for preserving produce at its peak of flavor and quality. The small batch recipes, perfect for the time-pressed modern cook, are perfectly organized to ease of use: rather than the standard organization of all jams together, all salsas together, all marmalades together, and so on, Bissell puts all apple recipes in one section, all mango recipes in another, etc. This way, someone with a lot of apples or mangoes or whatever can easily find something great to make with them rather than leafing through page-by-page looking for recipes.

Bissell's canning instructions and equipment list are clear and well-written, and likely to be understood by even a novice. And the recipes? From limoncello (which I'm making just as soon as I can - summer's coming, after all!) to peach melba jam to pickled onions, there's a wonderful selection and something for every taste and preference. Several recipes intended for making special gifts are also included, mincemeat and special jams, all of which sound lovely and just the thing for keeping a bit of the growing season with us as the weather turns and the days shorten.

As a canning enthusiast and hobbyist [...] I am pleased to recommend this book to all, newbies and experienced alike.

A great book for both the experienced and novice gardener. Informative pictures, clear, concise and easy to follow.

However as many of us gardeners know the only way to prune is to get out there and do it! Mistakes will be made but hopefully not as many with this guide.

Spring is the time to imagine the early produce from the salad garden - a garden I never plant but rather find a good green grocer for a proxy. This book is intended for the cook who will actually plant the salad garden - it begins with a chapter on gardens with marvelous photographs of salad garden - formal and informal - with concrete design and care information.

The strength of this book, however, is in its description of salad ingredients which it divides into salad leaves, salad vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. Each group is subdivided: salad leaves, for example, is divided into lettuce leaves (three groups), chicory, endives, rocket, dandelion, corn salad, purslane, spinach, sorrel, good King Henry, cresses and brassicas. Other groups are as broadly covered, descriptions including advice on the appropriate uses.

The salad recipes themselves are not particularly inventive. However, they are practical and little touches make them visually spectacular i.e. good "company" or "special" meal salads. For example, a typical fresh mozzarella and tomato salad is paired with pesto and a few mixed leaves and a bit of bread for an elegant first course (or full meal in my house). There is an interesting green lentil dressing, a cucmber mousse, a dandelion and sorrel salad with bacon, potatoes, and croutons.

In short, this book provides a basis for exploring a variety of salad ingredients until you are comfortable mixing nearly everything your green grocer supplies.

There is no doubting the significance of the salad in our diet, but alas, the nature of agriculture is such that many of the ingredients that we use in salads are bombarded with chemicals of all sorts. And not only that, now they want to muck about with the genetics of the plants as well. What's the solution? Grow your own salads. As we learn from Salad Gardens, yet another in the informative Brooklyn Botanic Garden series, this is by no means as preposterous suggestion as it may sound (especially to those with limited space). With just a small plot of land, one can grow all the lettuce, spinach, kale, tomatoes and chard etc. that one needs for a daily supply of salad. For those with limited space, there is the option of growing lettuce and other components in containers using varieties especially suited for this purpose. I found this book quite interesting, and it has succeeded in altering my garden plans for the coming season to include more salad-related vegetables (I'll pass on the flowers, though). Without hesitation it is a good book.

With over 200 color photos (which is very good) and descriptions and history on over 500 varieties of heirloom vegetables, it's a good one to have on hand. Also includes brief sections on how grow, seed saving, pests, etc for each family of vegetable.

Sections of the book cover: Climbing advantages, Materials, Trellis designs, Clinging vines (vines that grow food), Espaliered fruit trees, and Ornamental vines. Rhonda Hart also wrote the excellent book Bugs, Slugs & Other Thugs.

Having no prior experience at gardening is a good place to start with this book. The pages are well laid out for anyone to understand and learn at a glance important facts about the favored vegetables of their choice. From the small start of seeds to the harvesting of the fruits of labor this book provides it all. And it is all conveniently packaged in a book that is light enough to carry with you with pages of pictures to draw your attention to the beauty of gardening. I enjoyed reading, learning, and planning with this book as my guide to growing vegetables.

I thought this might be good book for preserving the rewards of my small garden. This is not a book for your "average" preserves. If you like to experiment with unusual ingredients, you might like this book. However, if you want to put up regular pickles, relishes and preserves, this is not the book for you. I was really disappointed. My copy is going to Goodwill.

Borrowed this book from the library. I liked it so much that I bought a coppy. It is just what I have been looking for. I particulary liked the section on frozen foods. However, the copy that was sent to me was the first edition and not the 2nd revised edition. It does not have the frozen food section. I also noticed that the cover shown on the advert is for the revised section edition. As I live in New Zealand it is difficult to return the item. I may have to copy the missing section from the library book. I will never buy from the seller again.

I purchased this book with the idea that I'd find inspiration to use the items in my garden. Not so sure that the small batch items would be practical.

Wonderful book - provides great new ways to preserve all the abundant produce I had available last summer. Taste tempting combinations I'd have never tried without this book.

There's a reason these recipes are for small batches, they're not your ordinary fare. I misunderstood that when purchasing this book. I was looking for a smaller batch translation of what people usually fill up the cellar house with - peaches, pickles, corn. What a delightful surprise. This is the book you pick up when you're tired of the every day fare. This easy to read digest of 4-6 jar type batches is chock full of things you'd only make a few of and impress everyone with. Fancy mustards, vinegars, chutneys, relishes, and syrups. In short, the spice of life in a book.

The book is awesome and it gave me great ideas for making fresh juices and mixed drinks.

The book appears to have great juicing recipes but 30 or so pages were missing. This was done in the printing process. The missing pages contained recipes that pertained to juices of oranges, therefore, no use as I grow my own and wanted it primarily for that reason.

Just like any cook book, you will find some things pretty darn awesome, and some not so great...like: "Do I really have to drink this?" but you do anyway, because you paid so much for the ingredients.

Seems like this juicing stuff is just hit or miss. You have to experiment. It is nice to have a guide. The V-10 was awesome, and worth the cost of the book just to get this recipe.

I wish there were more recipes on what to do with the pulp. I hate to put all that nutrition in my compost pile..

Very good book without being overdone. It was just what we were looking for.

Depending upon what you're looking for, this book will either disappoint or thrill you. In my opinion, it's one step above your normal juicing books, not in the sense that it's better than other books, just that it's not what you'd typically find in something similar.

The book includes your normal, basic juicing recipes, as well as a plethora of other cocktails. The author actually has a section of alcoholic juice combinations, as well as a section on how to make pretty garnishes for your drinks.

One thing I liked about this book is that for each juice, the author includes a little nutrition fact-type label listing all of the minerals that the juice provides.

There were some good recipes, but, most of the book, to me, was superfluous. I thought the book was really cutely done and I loved the cleverly named juices. And while the section on alcoholic cocktails and garnishes was a unique addition to a book on juicing, I had no use for it. Also, there were no pictures to accompany the garnish instructions to show the reader what the end result should look like. I believe it would've been extremely helpful to see what the garnishes looked like when done properly.

There was also a "power boost" section which incorporated several supplements (gingko, vit.C powder, etc.) into the juicing recipes. More than anything, I found this part more annoying than anything else. It was completely unnecessary to devote an entire portion of the book to "power boost" recipes. It would have just been enough to simply include a small note instructing the reader that if they wanted an extra kick they could merely include a dose of whichever "power booster" they desired.

One part of the book that I did appreciate was the section in the beginning which instructed the readers on how to, not only, pick out produce properly, but also how to juice it properly (like how to cut it up, if the produce needs to be peeled, etc.)

This book is definitely not your typical juicing book. While it didn't have what I was looking for, I appreciate the different spin the author put on what can be both a boring and daunting subject (for beginners). I think that her approach can open the door for many potential juicers where other, more traditional books, can close it.

Did you know that there is a lasagna recipe in Gary's juice cookbook??!! Last Christmas I went home to be with my parents, and I was looking for recipes that we could all share as a family.

My folks knew that I had become a vegetarian, but they were careful about saving me the non-meat portions of their meals and preparing me lots of salads. This was very sweet, but I wanted to find some meals we could share together, (and evangelize them a little, too.) In the local health food store I found Gary's Joy of Juicing recipe book that he had done in collaboration with his daughter, who is a chef. The lasagne we had that afternoon was delicious, and even my dad, a real meat and potatoes kind of guy, really liked it.

In addition to the food recipes there are delicious fresh juice recipes. Sometimes I have a little trouble being creative with juicing, but I get a little tired of the standard carrot juice with parsley and lemon that I usually prepare. Gary's recipes are very varied, for those who like standard vegetables, and those who are a little braver, and wish to increase the antioxidant level in their diet. There are also recipes for 'regular' drinks, such as lemonade and iced tea, which are delicious and tasty.

Mr. Null is renowned for being an expert in his field. His expertise and insights are often invaluable. However, in his book, "The Joy of Juicing" his experience appears to be overshadowed by generalities and a lack of research. For example, in the opening sentences, Mr. Null recommends that readers purchase a centrifugal juicer despite the fact that there is plenty of research showing that centrifugal juicers are not the best choice when compared to single gear and twin gear juicers. In addition, there is scientific research showing that centrifugal juicers create static electricity during the juicing process that kills vital enzymes and nutrients. Centrifugal juicers are also not the best choice for many fibrous types of greens since overheating can easily occur.
The balance of the book is dedicated to recipes that are categorized by courses. While the recipes sound interesting, it would have been helpful for Mr. Null to explain why the recipes are beneficial for the prescribed ailment or purpose for which they were intended. Examples include juices with names such as "Beauty", "Fountain of Youth" and "Brain Juice." Also, in the section on "Soups" and "Main Dishes," Mr. Null juices certain vegetables prior to boiling them. Considering that there is much research showing that nutrients and enzymes are killed after heating above 118 degrees, it makes no sense to extract a juice and spend up to 15 minutes boiling it to death.

I see that some of the other reviewers have completely missed the mark. Gary Null has dozens of other books teaching you step by step how to be healthy and tons of advice for specific illnesses, but that information is not available in this book. Why? There is a simple reason for that. This is a COOKBOOK!! It starts out with juice and shake recipes and then it continues with other recipes using your juicer. There is a section for breakfast foods, soups, salads, dressings, sauces, dips and spreads, main dishes and desserts. Most of the recipes I have tried so far have been incredibly delicious. I said most because I did not like the Carob Fruit Bars, they were too sweet for my taste and too moist, as for the Almond Butter Cookies, the batter was too dry and grainy and did not form into dough but the taste was good, it just needed more liquid. As for the great tasting recipes, let me start with my mom's favorite, the Fruit and Nut Cookies ... she can't believe they are made without sugar, dairy or eggs! The dates were difficult to use at first, but now I chop them in tiny little pieces and they're a lot easier to use. The Date Fudge Brownies taste great with the Cocoa Coconut Frosting and Heavenly Roasted Nuts and because I'm Vegan, I used maple syrup in the recipes instead of honey with excellent results. The Carrot Walnut Cake is out of this world. The Classic Vegetable Stock is the best I've ever made as well as the Spicy Texas Chilly and Lentil Burgers, and I could go on and on and on! Oh, did I mention the Creamsicle and Mango Fruit Pops? Yum!! As for my non-vegetarian friends and family, I have cooked the Salmon with Teriyaki Sauce and the Swordfish with Basil Oil and have been subject to rave reviews!! I have to admit that I've used this little recipe book more than any other recipe book in my collection. The ingredients can be easily found in any regular supermarket and for vegans, certain ingredients can be easily converted with wonderful results, except for the fish of course, but then again, most of us have to cook for other people in our lives who are not vegetarian so that works out perfectly.
There is one recipe in this book that has made me the most popular cook in my family and among my friends and coworkers, but that is going to be my little secret! Thank you Gary Null.
Enjoy this book, it's the best!

After seeing Gary Null on PBS and reading many of his books, I began juicing to improve my poor health. Rather than carry around his thick books, I was looking for a juicing companion which I can keep in the kitchen near the juicer which would tell me which produce would help which ailment and specifically all the helpful vitamins, minerals, etc, how and why it would help, as in his other books. This is just a recipe book like so many others on the market -- not at all what I wanted and expected from Gary Null. He needs to write a new book, "Juicing for Your Health," or "Juicing to Live Forever," something to that effect to address our specific ailments, and for the already healthy, how to live healthy forever by juicing, tell us how much and how often we should juice for what outcome, how long does it take to experience some results, how to add a 'boost' and where to purchase them, etc. Tell us in baby steps how often and what to juice to improve particular illnesses. Many of us have more than one malady and I think I could figure out on my own how to incorporate or combine specific juice recipes to help more than one condition, for example, fibromyalgia, insomnia, hair loss, and chronic sinus headaches. Juices to avoid colds and flu would be helpful as well, for instance, my child is chronically ill with ear, sinus infections and various mild allergies and I juice for her to boost her immune system and avoid missed school days but I was hoping you could be more specific in what I could juice to help her. I would be interested in what could boost her brain power with her learning disabilities. I also attempt to juice for my pets but I feel I'm juicing blind without a specific guide, all I know is that onions, grapes and grapeseed extract can be lethal to pets. I look forward to a BETTER juice book, one I know Gary Null has the knowledge to put together, this one was a waste of time and money and such a disappontment! I would purchase a juice book by Gary Null which told me what a recipe would do for my family's health, photos are always nice, too. Got it, Gary Null? This book definitely missed the mark! What we need is information on juicing from all your books combined into one, I'm not interested in recipes without knowing why it would help and how by listing nutrition facts for each produce and/or each juice drink. My dad juiced briefly and stopped because it caused diarrhea, this should be addressed with how to avoid it when it would go away, etc. Gary, we need more info. Even if a recipe tastes good I don't want to bother if I don't know why, how and what it would help. A whole section on weight loss? why not a whole juice book on improving health to prolong life and diminish illness? I look forward to a COMPLETE healthy juicing book from Gary Null, not yet another recipe book!

I've been a fan of Gary Null for a long time - from his PBS specials, radio shows, books, etc. -- I always find him to be the #1 source of cutting edge natural health information. Gary is big on juicing and with good reason as the health benefits are tremendous. I picked up this book because I needed something to push me to begin juicing and to have a bunch of recipes to keep it interesting. --- This book has more than helped in both areas, I keep it right next to my juicer in the kitchen and I never get bored with all the tasty juices I make!! There's also some other juice recipes for soups and other things that are great as well. An invaluable book!!!