Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Companion

by Stephanie Alexander

If you have ever dreamed of picking fresh salad leaves for the evening meal, gathering vine-ripened tomatoes or pulling up your own sweet carrots, this is the book for you. Follow in the footsteps of one of Australia's best-loved cooks and food writers as she reveals the secrets of rewarding kitchen gardening. Be encouraged by detailed gardening notes that explain how adults and children alike can plant, grow and harvest 73 different vegetables, herbs and fruit, and try some of the 250 recipes that will transform your fresh produce into delicious meals. Whether you have a large plot in a suburban backyard or a few pots on a balcony, you will find everything you need to get started in this inspiring and eminently useful garden-to-table guide.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Gardening, Nonfiction, Food, Reference

748 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2009

About the author

Food and wine and friendship matter more than almost anything I can think of.

Who am I?

Food and wine and friendship matter more than almost anything I can think of. Together they involve skill and craft and patience, and understanding and appreciation of difference, and the desire to bring happiness to others. Brushing past scented leaves in a garden, looking over a vineyard with the vines glowing gold in autumn sunshine, picking parsley outside the back door, pulling a cork from a bottle of wine, cutting into a ripe cheese, appreciating a wonderful apple, setting out a picnic on a bush table, debating the questions of the universe over a fine wine… all these things seem to me to confirm our humanity and to make me want to live for another day, another meal. In the end, I still believe there is no greater joy than sharing food, conversation and laughter around a table.

In 2012 I will publish my memoir A Cook’s Life. Anyone who would like to know more about me will enjoy reading this book. There are many reminiscences and anecdotes in amongst the facts.

These days I spend most of my time supporting the team that makes the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation project function and grow. I also visit as many of our participating schools as I can and am delighted every time to be greeted by smiling faces and platters of delicious food.

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie Alexander (the author) is one of the icons of Australian cooking. She is now a sort of Johnny Appleseed with her project of establishing veggie gardens in schools across Australia. The kids establish a garden and then are taught how to prepare and cook the produce. I suspect she has mined this experience for the book.

Not meant to be encyclopedic but incredibly detailed, this book is a must for those who want to eat what they grow. The book has a section on basic cooking utensils and a glossary. The vast majority of the text is divided up by type of fruit or vegetable. There is a basic description and advice given on planting, harvesting, pest control and a few extra 'tips for young players'. It assumes one has zero knowledge of gardening. Although I class myself as a somewhat experienced gardener I found many useful suggestions that I am raring to try.

I SHALL BEAT WHITE CABBAGE MOTH!

The recipes have varying degrees of complexity. There is none of the usual suspects so I found my curiosity and interest aroused.

The book is beautifully illustrated and the hard back has a rough calico book jacket that implies one could use it outside.

[KJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight to the garden for you.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Worth every penny.

[Joanne Keevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book on my shelves for years but barely gave it a second thought. Recently, when rearranging the furniture, the book caught my eye when I removed it from the bookcase, so I began reading it. Why did I not realise before what a gem I had available to me?

The book is arranged as a dictionary of food. Beginning with gardening information - an invaluable resource to the Australian gardener - each food item is followed by recipes to use the item in. So far I have tried four recipes. All cooked to perfection and all were absolutely delicious!

My only complaint is that the book only comes with two bookmarks - I need more!

[PJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful reference book. What to do with all of those Asian greens I grew this year, or all of the tomatoes I picked up cheap at the markets, or what new ways Can I cook with zucchini? Turn to Stephanie Alexander! Fantastic book that I use all the time.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great reference book from Stephanie Alexander. Yes this book was a bit expensive but as a keen veggie gardener it's well worth it. I love how in each chapter there's a way to get kids involved. These activities aren't just for smaller children either. There are some great tasting activities which could be focused to older aged children.

[Liz]

Fantastic book. It's a library copy, and I think I may have to buy it.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think this is a book you ever finish reading. Love it!

[Kevin Chevis · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an Aussie kitchen garden ref book. Lots of colourful pics. Lots of nice recipes.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used it to start my first raised garden bed! Was my bible until a few years ago when growing veggies became too difficult to fit in

[Veronika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Láska na prvý pohľad :-)

[Lauren Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredibly detailed.

[Jane Austen]

If you're looking to create a Regency kitchen garden this could be a good blog post to have a look at: https://www.janeausten.co.uk/plant-a-...