The Vegeterranean by Malu Simoes and Alberto Musacchio (Simon & Schuster, £25) (From The Northern Echo)

The Vegeterranean by Malu Simoes and Alberto Musacchio (Simon & Schuster, £25)

3:50pm Wednesday 20th February 2008 in Food & Drink By Jenny Laue

THIS is a book that would convince even the most confirmed meat eaters that vegetarian cooking can be quick, delicious, colourful and sexy.

Just the glorious front cover alone makes you want to take a bite out of it, it looks so mouth-watering.

The Vegeterranean is a collection of the best vegetarian recipes with an Italian twist from the kitchens of the Country House Montali, owned by Simoes and Musacchio. The hotel is renowned for its dedicated gourmet vegetarian cooking and the pair have been trying for more than two decades to give vegetarian food a more professional image.

Together with food writer Grace Choi they have put together a treasure of a book that shows how to combine flavours to elevate a dish from homely to heavenly.

My favourite among all the enticing food photography is an astonishing recipe entitled cappuccino di asparagi, which is asparagus tips in clear stock with whipped double cream. "Whenever this dish is presented to unsuspecting guests, it is guaranteed to be a show stopper.

Be sure to serve in champagne glasses and let your guest know it needs to be stirred," says the book.