By Jesse Jenkins, ADIP (Another Day in Paradise)
Published by Bluebird 12th June 2025, £28, Hardback
A love letter to mighty veg; everyone needs this beautiful book in their life.’
Jamie Oliver
Start with a vegetable and end up with something
fresh and fast, with a laid-back vibe.
Chef, photographer, and social media sensation Jesse Jenkins (aka @adip_food / Another Day in Paradise) brings his distinctive Californian-relaxed style to bold flavour-packed home cooking in his debut cookbook, Cooking With Vegetables. Featuring over 100 creative recipes and Jesse’s signature cinematic photography, this book invites home cooks to transform everyday ingredients into delicious, unforgettable dishes.
Jenkins’ recipes put vegetables front and centre, applying techniques often reserved for meat or fish to elevate the flavours and textures of humble ingredients. Whether it’s charring leeks over an open flame for smoky depth, ‘grilling’ peas in a sieve or caramelizing cabbage for a crisp crust, Jenkins showcases how vegetables can shine whether you eat meat, fish or are plant based.
‘Jesse has produced the cookbook that I wish I could have written, but instead this is the book I turn to most for inspiration, whenever I’m at home hungry and exhausted from a long day in my own professional kitchen.’
Jackson Boxer, chef-patron of Brunswick House and Dove
In Cooking With Vegetables readers will find an exciting variety of recipes that range from light, nourishing meals to comforting dinners and indulgent, decadent fare.
Recipe highlights include:
- Grilled Gem Lettuce with Marinated Artichokes and Anchovies
- Miso-Glazed Courgette
- Smashed Cucumber Caesar Salad
- Braised Fennel with Spicy Chickpeas
- Smoky Aubergine Parm
- Grilled Peas, Pickled Tomato and Burrata
- Kimchi Puttanesca
This is not a vegetarian or vegan cookbook. Jenkins incorporates ingredients like smoked bacon, chorizo, and anchovies as flavour enhancers, though they are never the main event and can easily be omitted. The dishes are organized by vegetable types – leafy greens and salads; root veg; beans, peas and pulses; mushrooms; tomatoes; and more – making it easy for readers to choose based on what they have on hand or feel like cooking.
From quick weeknight ‘fast food’ like noodle bowls, rice dishes, and fried sandwiches for one or two, to fun, communal meals for gatherings, Jenkins invites readers to play with flavours and textures. He believes that great meals are as much about sharing the experience as they are about the food itself.
‘This book encapsulates everything that makes Jesse such a special and unique cook. He has a meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of culinary technique, resulting in perfectly crafted, original recipes. Care and love permeate every page. It is, without a doubt, a cookbook that you’ll use over and over again.’
Ben Lebus, founder of mob
‘Everything in this book is EXACTLY what I want to eat. This is taste. And I’m not talking about just the food.’
Nick Grimshaw
