This cookbook will make you want to travel.
I suppose I may be slightly biased by this because in a little under two weeks, my family will be on a cruise to Dubai, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, and Indonesia.
Without me.
This is nothing new. Last year, they went to South America and Antarctica while I was slaving over boards.
Must be nice.
I’m not bitter, I promise.
No, really! It’s okay! I get to travel too! (For my interviews!) In early December, I’ll be doing 4 interviews in 3 days in 3 different states (North Carolina to New Jersey to California).
Hooray for manipulating time zones, my possible-narcolepsy + the lack of effect jet lag has on me to my advantage! (Please send good thoughts my way. I hope I don’t die.)
Near & Far: Recipes Inspired by Home and Travel
Genre: Cookbook
Pages: 330
Near & Far is a vegetarian cookbook that’s been broken down by destination! Each section includes a list of recipes in that section, along with a list of ingredients (e.g. her “San Francisco Pantry” included avocados (<3), citrus, coastal see vegetables, etc.) that you’ll likely need.
Each recipe includes an introduction, serving size, ingredients, instructions, and pertinent notes/tips, if the recipe calls for that. If you happen to forget what “country” you’re in, you can just glance at the bottom of the page on the right-hand side! :]
San Francisco
The author, Heidi Swanson, is native to San Francisco (hello, home!), so she starts off there!
Cucumber Salad, Red Lentil Hummus, Edamame Mint Spread, Buttermilk Cakes, Shredded Tofu Stir-Fry, Turmeric Tea…
En Route
This section’s pretty short, but it includes some tasty + nutritious portable recipes that she likes to make and bring along with her to snack on whilst traveling!
Chive Dumplings, Brown Sugar Tofu & Mushrooms, Strong Ginger Snaps…
Spring Rolls (unwrapped)
Morocco
Saffron Honey, Chicory Soup, Ginger Orange Blossom Water, Prickly Pear Cooler…
Japan
Broiled Miso Tofu, Carrot & Sake Salad, Watermelon Radish Soup, Soy Milk Dressing, Shiso Gin & Tonic…
Baby Radishes & Nori Butter
Italy
Radicchio Salad, Fiasco-Style Fagioli, Eggs in Purgatory–Two Ways, Moka Pot Espresso…
France
Lucques in Grapefruit Juice (if you take a lot of different medications, just be aware that grapefruit juice can affect the way your meds are metabolized!), Tartine au Fleur de Courge, Madeleines, Vin Berries…
Gougeres
India
Vaghareli Makai, Saag Paneer, Mustard Seed Oil Fried Eggs, Makhaniya Lassi…
Accompaniments
Cultured Honey Butter, Dashi, Orange Thyme Za’atar, Oregano Drizzle, Flower Pepper…
While I definitely don’t follow a vegetarian diet, I have been eating meat a little less frequently lately because I’m trying to conserve money.
…That’s also why I don’t have a new recipe for you today. I’m trying to see how long I can go without spending money on food since I’m moving every 2-ish weeks. I’m mostly living in student housing, so having the ingredients necessary on hand hasn’t really been a thing lately. :[
Hopefully when I’m done moving all over the place, I’ll be able to come back around and make something from here! The recipes range from simple to definitely-more-involved, and trying to procure some of the ingredients for some of the recipes I’d most love to try is unfortunately a little difficult because I’m livin’ in the middle o’ nowhere!
- Have you ever read Near & Far?
- What’s a dish that’s popular where you live?
- Where would you most like to travel?
- What’s your favorite vegetarian recipe?
Check out my other book reviews!
18 comments
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Mmm, the Moroccan dish sounds like it might be my favorite. Interesting cookbook with a lot of flavor profiles I’ve never seen before. How do people come up with these recipes?!
Author
For serious! People can be so creative! I’ve been fairly uninspired lately, but…trying to kick myself out of the rut! :P
Good luck with the interviews! I haven’t seen this book, but i like the sound of it. Watermelon radish soup especially caught my fancy!
Eva recently posted…Learning Kid Linkup
Author
Thanks so much! I hope they go well! :] I’ve definitely never tried soup with radish or watermelon in it, so that one was intriguing to me too!
Totally feel you on other people having fun/ traveling while you are in school! We will hopefully have time for that some day- I try to tell myself I can’t complain too much because I did choose this after all. Also this cookbook looks DELICIOUS! As a relatively new vegan, I am always looking for new recipe inspo. i love that this book has dishes from different areas of the world- so cool! I am dying to travel to Europe, and Australia- I’ll get there eventually!
kerri mcgrail recently posted…Fitsnack- August Review!
Author
I really hope we’ll get to do that someday too! I try not to complain much either because, like you said, we did technically choose these paths for ourselves! :P
I think you’d really like this cookbook then! Another one I’d suggest (if you’re in the market for a new cookbook would be Street Vegan! I reviewed it earlier this year and it was written by a food truck chef and everything in that book looked amaaazing! <3
My family took their first without-me vacation a week after I started my freshman year of college. They went out West, and to this day they still talk to me and say “Remember when we…” for that whole trip I wasn’t there for because they can’t remember I wasn’t there. Since then, they’ve gone to Cambodia, Paris, London, and Singapore without me. No, I’m not bitter, particularly because when I was a kid most of the family vacation we went on were camping trips in the midwest USA. :P
There’s lots I love about eating food from different cultures–and the vegetarian dishes are the ones I love the best. Pretty much the only meat I like is chicken (and rarer occasions, beef), so vegetarian food is fantastic for me!
Rachel G recently posted…A Nearly Severed Thumb
Author
hehehe, my parents do that with me all the time for a cruise they took to Australia/New Zealand while I was slaving over organic chemistry, which I still whole-heartedly believe is the worst subject/course in all of creation.
I adore trying out foods from different cultures too! I tend to be slightly less adventurous with the meat dishes on some, but chicken is my favorite! (Unless salmon is available…)
I still love to look at real cookbooks and read the stories behind the recipes. Too bad you can’t go on that amazing sounding trip with your family! If you ever end up interviewing in the DC or Va area let me know!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date-October & My Grandma’s Coffee Cake
Author
Same here! I’ve tried e-cookbooks, but they just aren’t the same!
I’m kinda sad that I can’t go, but am (sadly) a little used to it too, haha. :P I didn’t apply to any places in DC/VA, but if I pass through, I’ll definitely let you know! :D
This cook book looks amazing, it’s been forever since I added a new one to my collection! NC – NJ – CA sounds like quite the trip! Interviews can be stressful, but I hope you enjoy your trip! (Coming over to Cali from December-ish New Jersey will for sure be fun, right? ;-))
Aleks @AleksRuns recently posted…The Ultimate Coffee Date: October
Author
They’ve [unfortunately] became my latest thing-to-collect! So much food inspiration! <3
hahaha, yeah, I'm kinda trying to schedule my rotations and interviews so that I migrate west as winter hit! Strategic planning! ;P
This one looks yummy! I do love me a good cookbook haha! side note- I am very bitter that I’ve never been out of the U.S. lol XD
Channing recently posted…The Homemade Kitchen (A Cookbook Review)
Author
It really is! :D!
Hopefully, someday we’ll get to travel outside the box! <3
All these recipes sound amazing! Are there any vegan ones available?
xo Aimee / thenaturalaffect.com
Author
A lot of her recipes have dairy or eggs, but I think they could be easily substituted or left out!
Aw man, that’s too bad that your family gets to travel and have all the fun while you’re hard at work ;). This cookbook looks awesome! Love the rustic look the pictures have.
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Monday motivation: listen to The Rock!
Author
I know, right!? But it’s okay, haha. I like to tell myself that someday, I’ll get to travel outside the country again too! (Hopefully on medical service trips! :D!)