Having reviewed cookbooks for many years, you get to know the formula pretty quickly.  There is often an introduction about the cook's philosophy and then the recipes which are often divided into parts of the meal (appetizers, soups, etc.) or seasons (summer drinks, fall entrees, etc.).

How refreshing it is to find that Susie Middleton of Fine Cooking has created a unique and incredibly useful cookbook for both beginner and old-hand cooks.

Her cookbook Fast, Fresh & Green: More Than 90 Delicious Recipes for Veggie Lovers has everything you could ever want in between the covers.

Susie tells you how to set up your pantry and what you'll need, how to store your veggies and then she breaks down each way of cooking them - quick-roasting, braising, sauteing (including something call walk-away sauteing!), two-stepping, no cooking, stir-frying and grilling.  She also includes a section on baking gratins (finally someone shows us the art of the bake!).  Brilliant!

With more than 100 recipes for appetizers, snacks, entrees, and side dishes (many of them vegan), you don't have to worry about serving the same ol' same ol' ever again.  There are familiar dishes for sure, but I'm branching out with:

- Silky Braised Fennel in Pink Sauce

- Sauteed Turnips with Ham and Molasses

- Provencal Kale with Chorizo, Pimenton, and Honey

I made Grilled Baby Potatoes with Creamy Lemon Dressing the other night and not only were they great that night, but I served them the next day for lunch to a friend who sang their praises.

This is one of those books that you will no doubt have out at your side constantly.  

And to me, that's what makes it a must-have, classic cookbook.