Whenever someone mentions the New York Times the first thing that comes to my mind is “The Minimalist” the internationally read food column by Mark Bittman.  So I wasn't surprised when Bittman, a critically acclaimed food writer, took the foodie world by storm with his award winning book “How to Cook Everything”.  Touted as the modern day version of the Joy of Cooking, with over 1500 recipes, “How to Cook Everything” has become a staple in thousands of homes across America.  Now, just when you think he couldn’t possibly do it again, he has released “How to Cook Everything: Vegetarian” this time with over 2000 recipes, it has over 900 pages, sample menus and a grid to help you find which recipes can be made in advance, take less than 30 minutes to prepare, or are Vegan friendly.  There are also 20 essential charts discussing everything from breading and frying vegetables to uses for various oils and vinegars.  Check out the recipe for Braised Lentils below for an example of the types of recipes and recipe variations you’ll find in “How to Cook Everything: Vegetarian”. You don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this book; it offers a great way to incorporate more vegetables and other non-meat alternatives into your diet.  If you don’t purchase any other cookbook this year, let this be the one.  I have no doubt this will be a kitchen favorite for years to come. 

Braised Lentils, Spanish Style

From How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman, Wiley 2007

MAKES: 4 servings

TIME: 45 minutes

Make-Ahead, Vegan

Earthy and slightly smoky (use Spanish pimentón, the wonderful smoky paprika). Make it saucy but not soupy— you want enough liquid to sop up with crusty bread. Add a salad and you have a good, simple meal. Double the recipe if you like, because the leftovers will keep in the fridge for a couple of days and reheat perfectly for lunch or a super-quick dinner. Other beans you can use: Earthy-flavored legumes work best, Le Puy or black Beluga lentils if you can find them.

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon crumbled saffron threads (optional)
• 1 tablespoon smoked Spanish paprika (pimentón)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 2 cups vegetable stock or water, or more as needed
• 1 cup dried brown lentils, washed and picked over
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Chopped parsley for garnish

1. Put the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. When hot, add the onion, celery, and carrot; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic, saffron, and paprika and cook for another minute.

2. Add the bay leaf, wine, stock, and lentils. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium-low so that the mixture bubbles gently, cover partially, and cook, stirring occasionally and adding stock or water if necessary to keep the lentils from sticking and burning, until the lentils are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. The lentils should be saucy but not soupy. Taste and adjust the seasoning, sprinkle with parsley, and serve or store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Braised Lentils, Moroccan Style. A more heavily spiced dish: Double the onion and omit the celery, carrot, paprika, and wine. Add 1 teaspoon each ground turmeric, cinnamon, and ground cumin. Replace 1 cup of the stock with 1 1/2 cups chopped ripe tomato with their juices. Proceed with the recipe and garnish with chopped cilantro leaves.

Braised Lentils, Ethiopian Style. Loads of spices and a bit of heat: Omit the celery, carrot, saffron, and bay leaf. Add 1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger and 1/2 teaspoon each ground allspice, fenugreek, coriander, cardamom, and cayenne. Replace the Spanish paprika with 2 tablespoons sweet paprika.

Braised Lentils with Roasted Winter Squash. The caramelized roasted squash adds depth: Add any medium winter squash, like acorn, butternut, kabocha, or turban, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1- to 2-inch cubes (about 2 cups); toss it in olive oil to coat and roast it in a 375°F oven on a baking sheet until tender and caramelized. Eliminate the saffron and paprika and use white wine instead of red. Proceed with the recipe; add the squash to the lentils in the last 10 minutes or so of cooking.

Braised Lentils with Celery. The clean flavor of the celery pairs nicely with the earthiness of the lentils. Or use 1/2 cup chopped lovage stems and leaves: Double or triple the amount of celery and eliminate the carrot, garlic, saffron, and paprika. Use white wine instead of red and add a teaspoon of grated orange zest.

Braised Lentils with Parsnips. A great fall or winter dish; add a bit of cream for extra richness: Replace the carrot with about a cup of peeled and chopped parsnip and eliminate the garlic, saffron, and paprika. Use 1/4 cup dry (fino) sherry instead of the red wine. Proceed with the recipe, sprinkling with nutmeg just before serving.

About How to Cook Everything Vegetarian

Hailed as "a more hip Joy of Cooking" by the Washington Post, Mark Bittman's award-winning book How to Cook Everything has become the bible for a new generation of home cooks, and the series has more than 1 million copies in print. Now, with How to Cook Everything: Vegetarian, Bittman has written the definitive guide to meatless meals-a book that will appeal to everyone who wants to cook simple but delicious meatless dishes, from health-conscious omnivores to passionate vegetarians. As always, Bittman's recipes are refreshingly straightforward, resolutely unfussy, and unfailingly delicious - producing dishes that home cooks can prepare with ease and serve with confidence.