It seems like everywhere there is a buzz about this new vegetable cookbook.  And so it was with great anticipation that the Wickedfood Cooking School review team paged through Yotam Ottolenghi's latest creation, Plenty. This is a book about cooking vegetables as opposed to a vegetarian cookbook trying to recreate meat substitutes.  Saying that, it certainly should appeal to vegetarians, with its lip smackingly delicious recipes, many of them complete meals-in-a-dish.

Many of the recipes appeared in different forms in Yotam's New Vegetarian column in the Guardian's Weekend magazine.They are daring and highly original, with fantastic photography of many of the dishes.

Yotam has established himself as one of the most exciting new talents in the world of cookery and food writing.  He is proprietor of the Ottolenghi food group, whose philosophy is very simple “…. From our little kitchens underneath the shops, using an abundance of fresh produce and an outrageous attitude to cooking, Ottolenghi offers a unique culinary experience: original food and pastries, all made daily on site“

Yotam's food i

nspiration comes from his strong Mediterranean background and his unapologetic love of ingredients. Not a vegetarian himself, his approach to vegetable dishes is highly innovative, based on strong flavours and stunning, fresh combinations. With sections devoted to cooking greens, aubergines, brassicas, rice and cereals, pasta and couscous, pulses, roots, squashes, onions, fruit, mushrooms and tomatoes, the breadth of colours, tastes and textures is extraordinary.

Plenty is a must-have for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike.

Click here for recipes from the book.

Wickedfood Cooking School runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built Johannesburg cooking studio. Cookery classes are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – teambuilding cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference.

Our cooking lessons are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and team building cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.