Book excerpt: Thirty countries, thirty sumptuous menus offering everything you need to give your friends and family a taste of how vegetarians eat all around the world. Working with many vegetarian groups, societies, and chefs, Jane Hughes has brought together favorite meals and personal stories from Belgium to China, Cuba to Palestine. An inspiration for dinner clubs, themed parties, or simply the appetite to try something new, The Adventurous Vegetarian encompasses both traditional and modern—from African stews and Asian curries to veggie/vegan twists on classic "new world" recipes, such as macaroni cheese and blueberry cheesecake (both without the cheese!) All recipes are illustrated with tantalising color photography, do not involve complicated techniques, and suggest alternative ingredients should some be hard to source. Each country's chapter is introduced with personal stories and insights into what it's like to be vegetarian, from those with a rich history, such as India, to those where to be veggie can sometimes be an uphill, but satisfying, struggle. Jane Hughes has twenty years' experience of working as food writer, production manager, and publisher. She has worked with The Vegetarian Society since the 1980s and edits their quarterly magazine. A vegetarian since her teens, she has a passion for sharing great food, and believes that fresh, delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes are the perfect way to bring everybody together around the dinner table. Interviews, food and cookery course reviews, features, and recipes can be found at veggiefoodwriter.co.uk.