'Simon Hopkinson is a classically trained chef with the heart of a home cook.' Nigella Lawson

'The Vegetarian Option performs the brilliant feat of being vegetarian without being vegetarian. Without an ounce of quorn or the merest sight of a nut cutlet, every recipe illuminates, and there is nothing you would not want to eat' Rowley Leigh

Now more than ever, people are turning to vegetarian food. But how to know when to really eat a tomato, or the best way to get flavour from a gifted marrow? Simon Hopkinson's classic, simple recipes will solve any dilemma, accompanied by beautiful essays on subjects from the joy of bay leaves to the enlivening zippiness of a lemon.

The key to Simon Hopkinson's cooking is using seasonal ingredients and good-quality produce. With recipes for everything from a quick supper to the perfect cocktail and accompanying snack, The Vegetarian Option is not written exclusively for vegetarians, but as a fresh source of inspiration for all genuine food lovers.