Claire's Classic American Vegetarian Cooking: 2225 New and Favorite Homestyle Vegetarian Recipes

Criscuolo describes her childhood hometown in Connecticut as one where ethnic groups ""celebrated their heritage through their food traditions."" In her second cookbook (after Claire's Corner Copia Cookbook), Criscuolo continues to embrace the flavors brought by immigrants from many countries and gathers a variety of cuisines into what she calls ""classic American"" vegetarian cuisine. Each of the 225 recipes is based on creative, nutritious combinations of fresh produce, and most of them are dairy-free. The vegetarian cook will discover Pappardelle with Vegetable Cacciatore, Thai Vegetables with Jasmine Rice, Spinach Empanadas and Ratatouille with Goat Cheese Dumplings as well as such American classics as Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder and All American Berry Cobbler. Also included are tips for making yogurt, called Leban here, and an Italian cookie called Muzzet. It is clear why Criscuolo's New Haven restaurant, Claire's Corner Copia, has been so popular for more than 20 years: the complex dishes she serves and writes about are savory and satisfying, while the plainest Fresh Tomato Salad, with its artless sprinkling of garlic, capers and oregano, celebrates joyful simplicity. (Apr.)