Recursively call JsonSerializer in a JsonConverter

This is a very common problem. Using "JsonConvert.SerializeObject" isn't a bad idea. However, one trick that can be used in some circumstances (typically collections) is to cast to the interface when writing and deserialize to a simple derivative when reading.

Below is a simple converter that deals with dictionaries that might have been serialized as a set of KVPs rather than looking like an object (showing my age here :) )

Note "WriteJson" casts to IDictionary< K,V> and "ReadJson" uses "DummyDictionary". You end up with the right thing but uses the passed serializer without causing recursion.

/// <summary>
/// Converts a <see cref="KeyValuePair{TKey,TValue}"/> to and from JSON.
/// </summary>
public class DictionaryAsKVPConverter<TKey, TValue> : JsonConverter
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Determines whether this instance can convert the specified object type.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="objectType">Type of the object.</param>
    /// <returns>
    ///     <c>true</c> if this instance can convert the specified object type; otherwise, <c>false</c>.
    /// </returns>
    public override bool CanConvert(Type objectType)
    {
        if (!objectType.IsValueType && objectType.IsGenericType)
            return (objectType.GetGenericTypeDefinition() == typeof(Dictionary<,>));

        return false;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Writes the JSON representation of the object.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="writer">The <see cref="JsonWriter"/> to write to.</param>
    /// <param name="value">The value.</param>
    /// <param name="serializer">The calling serializer.</param>
    public override void WriteJson(JsonWriter writer, object value, JsonSerializer serializer)
    {
        var dictionary = value as IDictionary<TKey, TValue>;
        serializer.Serialize(writer, dictionary);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Reads the JSON representation of the object.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="reader">The <see cref="JsonReader"/> to read from.</param>
    /// <param name="objectType">Type of the object.</param>
    /// <param name="existingValue">The existing value of object being read.</param>
    /// <param name="serializer">The calling serializer.</param>
    /// <returns>The object value.</returns>
    public override object ReadJson(JsonReader reader, Type objectType, object existingValue, JsonSerializer serializer)
    {
        Dictionary<TKey, TValue> dictionary;

        if (reader.TokenType == JsonToken.StartArray)
        {
            dictionary = new Dictionary<TKey, TValue>();
            reader.Read();
            while (reader.TokenType == JsonToken.StartObject)
            {
                var kvp = serializer.Deserialize<KeyValuePair<TKey, TValue>>(reader);
                dictionary[kvp.Key] = kvp.Value;
                reader.Read();
            }
        }
        else if (reader.TokenType == JsonToken.StartObject)
            // Use DummyDictionary to fool JsonSerializer into not using this converter recursively
            dictionary = serializer.Deserialize<DummyDictionary>(reader);
        else
            dictionary = new Dictionary<TKey, TValue>();

        return dictionary;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Dummy to fool JsonSerializer into not using this converter recursively
    /// </summary>
    private class DummyDictionary : Dictionary<TKey, TValue> { }
}