I am a carnivore. No apologies. But I am always looking for that vegetable edge, some new idea or inspiration to get me to eat more veggies. Deborah's book does that for me. She doesn't discount the meat eaters of the world, a trait I've noticed in some vegetarian advocates. Instead, she is all for food choices. I like that. And I like the approach to "supper" in her book, putting less stress on this everyday meal. Scrambled eggs for supper? Sure, why not.

I chatted with Deborah at the Farmer's Market in San Francisco. Appropos since her book is all about vegetables. She calls herself a Vegophile and not necessarily a vegetarian. Not a card-carrying vegetarian, some meat does have place on her plate.

Deborah was the first chef at the renowned vegetarian restaurant in SF, Greens. Travels to Europe helped broaden her menus, with heirloom vegetable seeds she brought home. Things that were not so common 25 years ago, like fingerling potatoes, arugula, exotic lettuces and so forth.

Now she teaches food and cooking and writes. Her efforts have just been recognized by the James Beard Foundation, as she was honored with the Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America award for 2005. She lives in a village in New Mexico with her husband, painter Patrick McFarlin.

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