Superiority Burger Cookbook: The Vegetarian Hamburger Is Now Delicious

James Beard Award–winning pastry chef Headley (Brooks Headley’s Fancy Desserts) turns his attention to the savory side of things in this outstanding collection of more than 90 dishes from Superiority Burger, a small vegetarian fast food restaurant he co-owns in New York City’s East Village. The veggie burger is the restaurant’s main draw (and the first recipe offered here), and while it certainly lives up to its bold title (that patty consists of quinoa, fennel seeds, chickpeas, onions, and chile powder), Headley offers dozens of other vegetarian and vegan dishes that are equally stunning. Headley includes surefire hits that will resonate with vegetarians as well as omnivores: cheesy crunchy potatoes; white sweet potato and leek soup with Italian green onion pancakes; and the Sloppy Dave, a tofu-based riff on the Sloppy Joe. Such dishes as beer batter pancakes, and fresh green peas, which are cradled in shell-shaped pasta with pesto, artfully illustrate the author’s sometimes playful approach. Headley focuses on ingredients and flavor, as evidenced by a salad that tempers the boldness of wild rice with candied hibiscus and sweet potatoes roasted with brown sugar, and stuffed green peppers that are garnished with toasted coconut. This is an outstanding cookbook—full of fun and a perfect start to summer cooking. [em](June) [/em]