Cooking is not a mystery. The more heart we put out, the more heart we put in. To bring cooking alive we give our life. Giving our life willingly we don't get put out. Edward Espe Brown

{HISTORY}

In the 1960's in a remote valley in Southern California, the first Zen spiritual center opened in the United States. The only zen monastery outside of Asia, it was known as Tassajara. There, students and guests from all over the world came to practice Zen philosophies and Buddhist principles in order to gain a more gentle approach to life. One that focused heavily on kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness.

Due to its remote location, food for the guests, students and staff were grown on-site at Green Gulch Farm, part of the Zen Mountain Center campus. In 1973, Edward Espe Brown published a book of Tassajara's vegetarian recipes, which takes readers on a 256 page  journey regarding all things vegetables. The appropriate equipment to use, ways to cook and enjoy a vegetarian diet, tips learned throughout years of culinary exploration, as well as stories about Tassajara and how the food factored in there, are all included.

Since most of the vegetables were grown on-site, this is a great reference for not only vegetable lovers, but also home gardeners, as the vegetables included here are ones commonly found or easily grown in American garden plots. Many of the recipes though contain hints of Indian, Japanese, and South American cuisine, so its a great mix of accessible ingredients with exotic culinary flair. Containing no meat or fish, this cookbook does include dairy, egg and nut recipes. Beginners will love this it for it's detailed instruction and approachable language, while more advanced cooks will appreciate unique flavor pairings and ingredient combinations.

Tassajara still welcomes students and guests every year for study, retreats and work programs. Read more about them on their website. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- 256 pages

- Paperback

- Illustrated throughout with whimsical line drawings by Norval Delwyn Carlson

- Interesting recipes include: Spinach, Banana and Toasted Sesame Seeds, Orange Sprout Salad, Blanco Beans, Sunburgers, Five Color Soup, Piroski, Cucumber and Cantaloupe Salad and Tomato Soup with Cornmeal

{CONDITION}

Overall in good vintage condition. There are a few random cooking stains (mostly in the sauce chapter) and a couple of cooking notes written in pencil by a previous owner. Other than that spine is tight, all pages are intact and bright in appearance.

{SIZE}

Measures 6" inches (width) x 9" inches (length) x 1" inch (thickness) 

{FOR VEGETABLE LOVERS!}

Looking for more vegetable-centered cookbooks? Discover this antique one in the shop here.