Rebar Modern Food Cookbook

by Audrey Alsterburg

Since 1988, Rebar Modern Food has been Victoria's favorite restaurant and juice bar, featuring fresh, healthy, predominantly vegetarian fare. The upbeat atmosphere and vibrant, tasty food have led critics to describe Rebar as "inventive," "hip," and "visionary." The Rebar Modern Food Cookbook can be used by everyone-strict vegans, vegetarians (full and part-time!), and anyone looking for delicious ideas with a funky twist. Recipes range from salads to pastas, entrées, lunch and brunch ideas, soups, sandwiches, side dishes, sweets, and juices. The book also offers handy tips, menu ideas, seasonal substitutions, and suggestions for transforming dishes into low-fat or vegan alternatives. Everyone who loves to cook and eat delicious, healthy, fun food will welcome this much-anticipated book!

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Cooking, Nonfiction, Canada, Reference, Vegetarian

272 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2001

Reviews

[Lindsay Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there were more warnings on the sheer time involved in many recipes. So far I have made one incredibly delicious (but possibly the most time consuming thing I have ever made) recipe (Enchiladas con calabacitas) and one utterly disappointing but similarly time-consuming (roasted butternut squash soup that ended up tasting absolutely nothing of squash - just hot orange juice). I don't mind taking awhile to make something delicious, but damn! That's all I'll say.

A friend told me the chocolate cake is good. I'll try that next time.

[Mj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent cookbook. I go to it often to search out their very flavourful, around the world fusion recipes. Many of the recipes are vegatarian or vegan and all are clearly marked. Bought the book on sale years ago and browse through it regularly. Have tried and repeated a number of the recipes.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tout à l’air délicieux!

[7jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars: normal pescatarian cookbook with useful vegetarian/vegan recipes, enough recipes to make it worth having, but not essential. No photos of foods. At the end is a short glossary plus praise for wheatgrass drinking (lol). Rebar is a restaurant in Western Canada.
Foods area grouped with introduction, and each recipe has one too. Occasionally there are tips for turning some dishes vegan, and some useful other hints.

Some ingredients make me wonder: why do they use 'sui choy' when 'napa/Chinese cabbage' is more well known (at least IMO)? Why 'yogourt' spelling? And all that cilantro... they really do like Asian and Southwest US foods in this book – and I don't really mind!

I'm too lazy right now to list all the recipes I found interesting; found plenty enough, though if I didn't have a nut allergy, I could list more. Even with pickiness this book offers enough, and is great to read through.

[Susan Bourette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite cookbook of all time--and I'm not vegetarian--although, I live with one. I've had this cookbook for about 15 years and I'm still discovering new recipes. The soups are amazing--black bean, split pea/lentil; french onion; the black bean hummus is so delish--the chocolate cake, it goes on and on. I'm reminded that I need to get this great book for more people that I love.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ideas, but generally I prefer a cookbook that includes ingredients I already stock, or know where to get easily.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pivotal moment in my cooking life happened when I picked up this cookbook. Although we don't eat a lot of meat, we are by no means vegetarians. This book breaks down the boundaries of labeling how you eat. It's just amazing food. Whether you add a meat course to the dishes in this book, or prepare a meatless meal - you probably won't miss anything. I have cooked most of the recipes in here and have loved them all. Packed with tons of flavor, utilizing real food and well written, tested recipes, Rebar Modern Food Cookbook is one of my all time favorite books to cook from.

Yes, you could say some of the recipes are time-consuming, but once you make them a time or two, you get faster. Yes, some of the ingredients are a little harder to find than your every day lemon, but it has helped us try things we hadn't tried before.

There is nothing I don't like about this book. A few of my favorites: Rebar Chocolate Cake, Vegan Fudge Brownies, Chai, Granola, Summer Greens and Nectarines Salad, Warm Vegetable Salad, Rebar Club-house Sandwich, WW pancakes, Peanut Sauce!, Focaccia Bread, Tortillas, BBQ Sauce, All the salad dressings!

Healthy AND delicious!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hear Victoria, British Columbia is a pretty hip place so perhaps it’s reflected in this cookbook. Most of the recipes are vegetarian (some call for shrimp or fish sauce) and there are lots of Asian influences here but also Latin, hippie, European, and seasonal California-style. I recognized a few recipes that are similar to ones in the Greens restaurant cookbooks.

I like their sauces and dressings recipes. They take a bit of time and some specialty shopping but are well worth it. The peanut sauce is awesome, eggplant and tofu satay with lemon-miso glaze is so savory and tasty, rice noodle salad thumbs up, but the soup recipes are the biggest winners for me. Many of their pasta and entree recipes are basically a crap load of vegetables stir-fried and topped with a sauce. While all very yummy, I wish there was a little more variety but it’s still a good cookbook to keep around.

[Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

You wouldn't think a self-confessed carnivore like me would be in to a vegetarian, often vegan, cookbook (and restaurant) like this one... but I LOVE it. Growing up in Victoria, BC, Rebar was always one of my favourite restaurants. They use very little 'meat-substitutes' in their cuisine (no tofurkey or faux reconstituted vegan "sausages" here) just beautiful ingredients and stunning flavours. Never once did I find myself missing meat at this lovely spot.

I highly recommend this as a great cookbook for vegetarians, vegans and die-hard meat-eaters alike. My only gripe is that they don't include their almond burger recipe, though it doesn't surprise me- it seems to be many peoples' faaaavourite dish and remains highly prized secret mixture.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whenever I am in Victoria I make it point to have at least one meal at the Rebar. In an attempt bring the restaurant home with me I bought their cookbook some number of years ago. The black bean burgers are incredible and a staple in my home, as is their banana bread. You may think `its just banana bread` but this recipe proves that all banana bread is not created equal. My only issue with this book is that the ingredients needed for each recipe tend to be extensive and involve one to two more steps than the average recipe. This however is the life of a vegetarian; planning and commitment and the end results are always worth the effort.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book. My absolute favourite cookbook of all time. I have loved everything I have made out of this- from soups to pastas to desserts to drinks- everything is so bold, flavourful and plain yummy! It also has great instructions on making the basics of any kitchen (such as roasted garlic and fresh sauces). I especially love their Thai peanut stir-fry sauce, tomato basil pasta sauce, enchiladas, Greek lentil soup, roasted veggie quesadillas, the list goes on...

[Kandice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given that it is put out by one of my favourite local restaurants, I can't bring myself to rate it lower than 5 stars, although many of the recipes have long ingredients lists and there is quite a lot of flipping around involved. Still, it has some delicious twists on classic vegetarian food (including my absolute favourite veggie burger recipe, which has saved me from starving at many summer barbeques) and plenty of new ideas.

[Evie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The food in this book is a bit more elaborate than I have ever dared to try, and frankly I don't know what some of the ingredients are. I still marked about 25 pages with things I want to test. It really got me thinking about trying to cook in a new direction and flavours that are a far cry from my usual bland/meat-and-potatoes fare.

[Saylaveev · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing food from a local hotspot. So tasty, actually pretty easy to do. Always great tasting. My only complaint is they aren't specific enough with how to treat tofu. They assume you have some skill. Thank goodness my hubby doesn't eat tofu so I substitute in meat/seafood when I'm cooking at home and just enjoy it when I'm at the resturaunt.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic cookbook! I received this as a gift last Christmas, and have thoroughly enjoyed reading through it and trying out recipes. My only hesitation in recommending this book is that some recipes use ingredients that are hard to find/uncommon, and some have fairly long lists of ingredients, which can be intimidating. Otherwise, 5 stars!

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to this restaurant when I was visiting Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Awesome vegetarian/pescatarian food. The book has fantastic recipes, that include Pacific Northwest/Japanese flavors. Also tells little stories about the chefs, folks who work there. Love this place, love the cookbook!

[tee]

I want this book solely because of this recipe. I could live on these chocolate zucchini muffins. LIVE.ON.THEM. If the other recipes in this book are as good as that one then I will die one happy, fat lady.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a supremely sophisticated mostly vegetarian cookbook. If for no other reason, get it for the savoury bread pudding.

[Eynat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the good fortune to eat at the restaurant in Victoria, BC, and the food was incredible... this really is one of the most inspired vegetarian cook books I've come across.

[Briana Nervig · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite restaurants in Victoria....the cookbook rocks too!

[Celeste]

Includes the world's best chocolate cake recipe.

[letterbyletter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious! A good range of simple to complex vegetarian/pescaterian fare.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING cookbook. I use this book all the time, and have hardly been disappointed. I make the greek red lentil soup almost every other week. I highly recommend this cookbook!

[Awkwaphobia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so most of the recipes are a bit too involved for me but every one I've made is amazing! The format is fun too

[Ross Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monk's Curry. My new favourite dish.

Went to the restaurant not long ago. Fantastic. Went back for breakfast the next day.

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for recipes!

[Diandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the best cookbook ever.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recipes in this book take time, but each one is worth the effort.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this cookbook. Everything I have made has been excellent. The chocolate cake recipe is amazingly delicious. Will have to make it to the restaurant one of these days!

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every recipe is delicious so far. Many get better with age. So make up a dish and have lunch for the next few days. I would love to someday eat the the restaurant.