...And in this house, we use a LOT of lentils. They're what we serve with the lamb curry, and they're great in various soups. Indian cooking is a favorite for us, and there's a brilliant restaurant here in Chicago called Marigold that has some of the best Indian food I've ever tasted, bar none.

However, much of my previous experience with vegetarian cooking has been less than inspiring. I have often been served dishes of unidentifiable brown legumes and melted veggies that are bland beyond belief. I've looked at so called "serious" vegetarian cookbooks and the first thing I notice is that nothing is seasoned. I just don't think it has to be that way.

I think that in a culture where we can make beef tripes taste like heaven and the humble pork belly beautiful, we desperately need vegetarian restaurants, cooks and cookbooks that take the food to the next level. Why shouldn't we have vegetarian meals that are worth getting dressed up for? The only exception that I've found is another restaurant here called Green Zebra. Take a look at the reviews and see what I mean. It's brilliant.

Now, my other concern is that people keep insisting that no one can be healthy if they eat meat. That's a crock and you know it. As for the ethical concerns, well, The Boy and I are farm kids. We are well aware of where meat comes from and what's involved in getting it.