Cookbook Review: "Simply in Season"

Simply in Season
by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert

Any new cookbook promoting use of fresh local foods in season is a welcome addition to our shelves at the co-op! The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) commissioned this book “to promote the understanding of how the food choices we make affect our lives and the lives of those who produce the food.” The Mennonites have long been involved with fair trade and social justice issues and this book addresses these issues in combination with sustainable agriculture. “Simply in Season” offers both great recipes and buying and preparation tips; “tidbits to reflect upon while the onions sauté”, as the authors say.

You’ll find an A-Z guide to fresh produce and recipes divided by season that addresses such issues as selection, storage, preparation and serving suggestions. It also includes nutrient information and a handy guide to how much a pound yields in cups.The recipes focus on local crops in season; for example, in “Summer” you’ll find a recipe (Whole Grain Tabouleh) using several seasonal ingredients. Each Seasonal section has recipes that include Breads and Breakfasts, Soups, Salads, Sides, Main Dishes, Desserts, Extras, Canning and Menu suggestions. While this is not a vegetarian cookbook, there is a distinct emphasis on fresh produce. In the “All Season” section you’ll find recipes for staples such as whole grains, beans, dried fruits, dairy, tofu/ tempeh and meat.

Summer recipes include Berry Muffins, made with whole wheat flour, and rolled oats. This recipe lists lots of variations so you can adapt it to what you find at the market or in your garden, including summer squash. It also includes instructions for a wheat germ or flax seed variation. Another versatile and practical recipe is for Roasted Summer Vegetables. This healthy seasonal medley can be served as a side or main dish and also looks like an easy addition to summer pizza, or as a filling for wraps.

Other special features of “Simply in Season” include a nice glossary, nutrition tips, a section on how to get children to eat more healthy foods, and a spiral binding so it lays flat.

Sustainably grown food often costs a little more, but the authors remind us that it is better for us, our community, and the growers and workers. As the book says, “each food purchase we make is like a vote for the way we want food to be produced.” Look over a copy of this book next time you drop by—-our guess is that you’ll vote local and sustainable once again!

Other cookbooks to check out at the co-op:

Easy Summer Food-Simple Recipes for Sunny Days. Simple recipes using the best of summer’s bounty. Lots of recipes for picnics and the grill.
Farmer John’s Cookbook: The Real Dirt On Vegetables- Seasonal Recipes and Stories From A Community Supported Farm by John Peterson and Angelic Organics $29.95
From Asparagus to Zucchini- a Guide to Cooking Farm Fresh Seasonal Produce by Madison Area Community Agriculture Coalition $19.95
Angry Trout Café Notebook- Friends, Recipes & the Culture of Sustainability by George Wilkes $26.95. Minnesota Book Award Nominee
The Whole Foods Bible- a Guide For Adventurous Cooks, Curious Shoppers, and Lovers of Natural Foods by Diane Onstad $35.00
Whole Food Bible – How to Select and Prepare Safe, Healthy foods by Chris Kilham $19.95