Product Description
A gluten-free diet can help you feel more energetic, improve digestion, aid in weight loss, and dramatically improve the symptoms of many mental and physical health disorders. It's no wonder that more and more people, both with wheat allergies and without, are discovering the health benefits of going gluten-free. In Gluten-Free Recipes for the Conscious Cook, Leslie Cerier, 'The Organic Gourmet,' presents over 100 remarkably delicious recipes for easy-to-make, gluten-free, vegetarian meals. You'll learn to create delectable, high-protein breakfasts, dinners, desserts, and more, use organic and seasonal ingredients to put a fresh twist on your favorite family recipes, and come up with your own original gluten-free creations.

• Whip up tasty grab-and-go meals and snacks
• Get tips for using organic and seasonal ingredients to make gluten-free food even more delicious
• Enjoy pancakes and waffles, casseroles, pastas, and pastries-all made without gluten
• Get creative with the wealth of recipe variations and ideas in this book

Customer Reviews (11)

Terrific gluten-free cookbook
Leslie's wonderfully tasty recipes make it so much easier to get the daily requirements of whole grains that are so important for our gluten-free diet.She offers a tantalizing array of main courses, breakfasts, sides, and sweets that are supremely satisfying. Every gluten-free kitchen needs a copy of this book.

Great cook book
I am so pleased to have added this book to my cook book collection.While my family is not vegetarian, we do eat gluten-free.I appreciate Leslie's thoughtful use of seasonal vegetables as well as the wide varieties of grains.She celebrates the idea of gluten-free instead of feeling limited by it.Her recipes are flavorful, fun and allow/encourage me to also be creative as I cook.I like adding or substituting various ingredients based on what is in my pantry or my mind.Leslie often offers suggestions to help guide my experiments.I highly recommend this book!

Expanding " the land of gluten-free"
Every now and again, I actually sit down and read a cookbook cover-to-cover; I did with this one."Gluten-free recipes for the conscious cook" is a cookbook that fulfils its promise: it approaches green and gluten-free cooking like a creative sport. Leslie has us travelling boldly into territories of ingredients and recipes, in a land not yet well-travelled by many of us--the land with no gluten.Here we walk the edge of a truly original culinary adventure.

The amazing flexibility in these recipes, along with the full permission to explore, experiment and be playful --is SO refreshing!! And since so many variations and substitutions are provided, we are not stuck if we don't happen to have--or like--everything the recipe calls for. Hallelujah for flexibility!!

Leslie begins by introducing, in some detail, 10 gluten-free staple foods, which provide a foundation for the 100 or so unique recipes to follow. She also teaches us how to cook beans from scratch, make nut and seed milks, and even sushi! Next, she tours us through creatively-designed recipes for all 3 meals. These are laid out in a clear, clean and easy-to-follow manner. I like this presentation a lot.

I have enjoyed making and eating a variety of these recipes. My taste-sensibilities have had the chance to grow and expand. I am delighted to be able to make "normal food", such as pancakes and muffins, that are within the bounds of a gluten-free diet. With confidence increased, I have even begun to improvise for myself.

On behalf of gluten-free eaters everywhere, thank-you, Leslie Cerier, for sharing with us your inspiration and your expertise in making nutritional, tasty and beautiful food-- without gluten!!

Inspiring exploration
Since I've received this book I've been too busy to cook anything!--but I have enjoyed reading the recipes and detailed descriptions.I like the book's conversational style--as if the author is speaking right to you even in the context of the recipes--it adds a homey easy going feeling to the book.I look forward to seeking out some new grains at my local food coop, as well as making things like nut butters that it just never occurred to me to make before!This book is definitely inspiring me to explore.

Excellent
In general I try to feed my family and myself a gluten-free or low gluten diet.I have been looking for a good cookbook to help us in eating this way, and this is the one!!!
It is clear, grounded and educational without being wordy and making my head spin.
It is inspiring and creative yet also practical with ideas and recipes that I will actually use and make.
It is aware of the earth, natural cycles and rhythms and actual natural health.I've seen some gluten-free recipes and books that are not whole health concerned.
All in all I am loving this book and excited to read/use it more!
Thanks Leslie!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Low-fat cooking expert Sue Spitler has created these special dishes with a wide variety of palates and preferences in mind. Appetizers, more than 500 entrees, salads, soups, breads, and desserts offer even the choosiest vegetarian a rich choice of satisfying meals. Allowing for vegans, lacto-vegetarians, ovo-vegetarians, and lacto-ovo-vegetarians, she labels each recipe with an identifying icon. Nutritional information and diabetic exchanges are included for each recipe. There is also a new chapter, "Menu Express," which contains recipes and meal plans to prepare and cook in less than 20 minutes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

not a reliable cookbook
I have had this cookbook for several years and have made many recipes in here. I'm about to give up on this book. So many of them are just not good. I need to be able to trust a cookbook, and I am not able to rely on this one. Save your money.

I hope it gets better...
I only got to page 3 because I saw something that was completely non-vegetarian listed in a vegan recipe!"Chili Bonzos" call for Worcestershire Sauce.I don't know if the author knew, but one of the main ingredients in Worcestershire Sauce is ANCHOVIES!If one were to assume that the author meant Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce, then shouldn't that have been covered in the Ingredient Information section at the beginning of the book?

I'm already turned off of it and I don't know if I'll read past page 3 unless it's just to look for more errors.

Good basic vegetarian cookbook
This is just a good, basic vegetarian cookbook with lots of variety. One may not use every recipe in it, but I rarely use every recipe in any cookbook, so I don't think that is unusual. And, it IS 1001 recipes to work with. A nice addition to vegetarian cooking, and really nice to have. It is not a how to be vegetarian book, I would recommend Becoming Vegetarian for that, or The Vegetarian Way.

One of my most used books
I'm not even vegetarian and this is one of my most used books, especially in the summer when fresh fruits and vegtables are abundant.Very tasty and adaptable recipes.

This book is the bargain basement of vegetarian recipes:
Having gone veggie a few years ago, this was my first non-introductory style vegetarian cookbook, and although I commend Spitler and company for the sheer quantity of recipes here, I've found the recipes to be very hit or miss. I think this is partly due to the often non-intuitive combinations of ingredients found in many of the recipes. While sometimes these out-of-place ingredients are genius (i.e. the black -not adzuki- beans in the egg rolls, or the more than liberal use of celery seed in the bleu cheese dressing), sometimes these combinations can turn what seemed like a tasty dinner into something even my dog looks askance at (like the orange juice and zest in the hummus or the cream cheese and cranberries in the savory wontons). The dishes err more on the sweet side of the palate than on the spicy side. That said, all of the dessert type foods I have tried so far have been solidly good, while the majority of the entrees required a healthy dose of crushed red pepper. My suspicion is that these recipes were generated by a crew less than adequately familiar with vegetarianism, as many of the recipes attempt to make use of meat substitutes (i.e. Mexi "meatball" soup, rigatoni with italian "sausage" and fennel pesto, "burgers" provencal, swedish "meatball" and dilled potato cassarole, etc, etc)with less than appetizing results. There are a least two problems here: first, there are plenty of amazing veggie dishes that don't try to imitate the "meat and potato" style meal (there are almost NO Indian entrees in this book), and second, nothing makes one miss the real thing more than a poor substitute. Yes, those tvp crumbles look innocent enough in the grocery aisle and are easy enough to throw into the pasta sauce, but unless you want to spend you're evening sobbing over your half eaten plate of "sausage" lasagna for your momma's home cooking, then PLEASE skip the phoneys and throw in some chopped baby bellas instead. To summarize, this book is like the bargain basement of vegetarian recipes: over-stuffed with so-so items, but amidst the bland and the out-and-out bad, there are a few gems that make this book deserving of a place on your shelf.

As a bonus for those tracking diet information: each recipe is tagged as vegan, lacto-ovo, lacto, or ovo, to make finding appropriate recipes easy, and all recipes come with calorie counts, basic nutrition information, and the exchange listings for the ADA. ... Read more

Product Description
From mushroom-stuffed tomatoes to roasted butternut squash, The Everything Vegetarian Cookbook" by renowned chef and radio personality Jay Weinstein, makes preparing delicious vegetarian meals easier than ever before. In this comprehensive, all-purpose cookbook, Mr. Weinstein provides you with simple instructions to create a variety of savory vegetarian meals-whether you are on an ovo-lacto, macrobiotic, or vegan diet or are someone who simply wants to reduce meat intake. The Everything Vegetarian Cookbook not only gives you options for meat substitutes, it also helps you ensure that you're getting the proper nutrients and protein while on a vegetarian diet. Whether you want to cook a one-course dinner for the family or an elaborate feast for special guests, this book can satisfy even the heartiest appetite. Featuring mouth-watering recipes for:

• Salads
• Soups
• Hors d'oeuvres
• Pasta favorites
• Leafy greens and cruciferous vegetable dishes
• Desserts and baked goods

Customer Reviews (21)

Love, Love, Love
My sister uses this cookbook all the time and there isn't a bad recipe in the bunch.So many of these recipes you will go to again and again as staples to make ordinary food extraordinary.

Ok if you're not a beginner
The only problem I had with this book was the cooking skill level and the time it took to make the meals.I'm not that great of a cook and I work a lot of hours. This book does have a lot of info about cooking different ingredients which I found usefull.If I have more time I would definitely learn a lot from this book.

Clear and easy-to-follow directions!
Clear and easy-to-follow directions!This great book is filled with superb ideas, methods and simple recipes for veggie eaters. This book serves vegetarians well by offering truly tasteful, healthy recipes that we can enjoy either as a main course or side dish while not spending hours in the kitchen. Well done!This cookbook is a complete, comprehensive guide to cooking vegetarian.
I have a large variety of cookbooks, but this one offers many different recipes and ways to try new foods or new preparations of familiar foods.I'll go months sometimes without looking at this book. Every time I go back to it, I'm impressed by how good it is.
Not only does this book have great recipes, but it will totally add ideas to your cooking arsenal.
This book is truly useful for those that are interested in becoming vegetarians, or even vegans. It's definitely one of the first books I would recommend to those moving from meat to meatless.There are a couple of others that you could also read and gain a wealth of knowledge and recipes from:
221 New Vegetarian Dishes
Delicious, Healthy And Easy - Tom's Vegetarian Cookbook: Easy Yummy And Nutritional Vegan Recipes
The Black Art Of Cooking: The Raw Truth
The Golden Age Vegetarian Cook Book
Vital Facts about Foods: Included: 200 + Longevity recipes & 250 Food Analyses References
For each of these books you can rely on, I love vegetables, and everything I have tried in these books was just great.In fact, between them all, I have really come to rely on them book not only for recipes, but for reference as well.

Vegetarian Food
I have really enjoyed this book. I look at it almost everyday. The recipes are loved by even non vegetarians. My family's favorite is the Ziti Lasagna.

Great addition to a veggie library!
In a word - fantastic!

Lots of easy and yummy veggie recipes, and lots of fun stories about food and family.I really enjoyed it, and the recipes are basic, fun and the ingredients are easy to find in everyday stores.

This is a very good book and you'll make many wonderful meals using it.

Another that I found that I really like was
221 New Vegetarian Dishes

You will enjoy both!Cheers! ... Read more

Product Description
Sixty-four intriguing recipes for quick and delicious vegetarian recipes are divided into seven sections--Soups and Snacks, Lentils and Other Legumes, Pasta Dishes, Vegetable Dishes and Salads, Rice and Grain Dishes, Egg and Cheese Dishes, and Desserts. 30,000 first printing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Yummy recipes
I borrowed this book from the library and liked so many recipes, I had to buy the book even though I had vowed to stop buying cookbooks. I have cooked and loved Mary's Spiced Red Lentils with Cabbage, Spicy Bean Hot Pot, Spiced Garbanzo Beans and Spinach, Vegetable Risotto, Vegetable Biryani (a fav), and Egg and Cauliflower Curry. But, I have not managed to complete any of them in under 30 minutes. Regardless, the recipes are tasty and worth every minute...of my time.

Excellent book
My husband I first borrowed this book from the library. We are both vegetarians (Indian) and all I could cook was Indian food. This book introduced us to different cuisines. It has a good blend of vegetarianrecipes from all over the world.I have tried out many online vegetarianrecipes and most of them were disasters. But each and every recipe fromhere is delicious. The instructions are clear and the author also givesalternate ingredients if the ones listed are not available. Also, therecipes we have tried out yet have indeed taken not more than 30 minutes toprepare. Thanks Mary :) ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Best vegetarian cookbook ever
This is the best vegetarian cookbook I've ever used. Every dish I have made from this volume has been delicious, easy, and quick. While some of the recipes take a little planning ahead (ie, calling for cooked rice) the majority really do whip up in no time, and the combinations are creative, tasty and generally quite healthy. I find that with most cookbooks, I make a few recipes, and then lose interest because they are hit or miss. I've worked my way through at least half of the recipes in this book and always turn back to it. I would most highly recommend this cookbook for anyone who is low on time, but still wants interesting, delicious meals!

This is one great cookbook!
This cookbook continues to amaze my wife and I.I am a new vegetarian.This cookbook is just what I needed.Quick, easy and the meals are amazing!!!Love it!I'm looking for more of her cookbooks!I never wright reviews but this book deserves one!!!Great work Susann and Mindy!!!

Delicous,easy, flavorful meals
This book is filled with easy, delicious, healthy recipes.It contains a wide variety of ingredients for vegetarians and vegans, flavorful and simple to make, from appetizers through dessert.There are other vegetarian cookbooks that I love, but none can beat this one for taste and ease.

It's just ok
I was looking for quick, simple cookbook, but I didn't see many recipes
that I would make.

Inspiring!
I got this book after seeing it at my library and haven't been disappointed with it.It has given me tons of great recipes and lots of ideas.I've found that some of the recipes take more than 15 minutes though (for example, it will call for cooked rice - which takes 45 minutes to cook all by itself).Otherwise, it's been great for me. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (48)

Shoppers guide to the glycemic index
This book is a must have for the dieter interested in searching out the glycemicvalues on the foods they eat.It is an easy guide to follow and very informative.

Top 3 Cookbook ever - really great stuff!
I absolutely love this cookbook.I've tried a few recipes now and I, a lacto-ovo vegetarian, and my husband, an omnivore, both love everything we've had.The pictures are gorgeous, the directions are simply stated, and there's lots of good general advice, sample meal plans for veggies and vegans, etc.And, there are plenty of recipes that aren't just salads (I hate when vegetarian has to mean just greens).My first week I've lost four pounds, and I'm looking forward to trying the rest of the recipes and getting healthier!

I whole-heartedly recommend trying this book.The only warning is that there are a few hard-to-find ingredients (e.g. kecap manis (which I got on Amazon), and Stone-ground whole-wheat self-rising flour (I found stone-ground whole-wheat flour and added baking powder per an internet recipe)).

A big thank you to these authors! :)

TOO many Carbs
Some of the meals look interesting in the picture - however - the carbs and Cal. are off the scale. Also found toomany dishes using eggs. Being Diabetic as well as Vegetarian - these meals just do not work for me.

... NOT vegetarian...
I was flipping through the book and came right to a recipe that calls for gelatin, with absolutely no mention as to replacements that could be used instead. Knowing that gelatin is not vegetarian, it makes me sort of question if these authors know what they are talking about through the rest of the material.

I also don't like that the photographs of the prepared recipes do not say on them (or anywhere near them) what the recipe is or on which page to find it. It makes it incredibly difficult to use this cookbook.

On the other hand, there are a few really good recipes in here.

AWESOME BOOK!
This is truly an AWESOME BOOK and I would recommend it to anyone! Has lots of great information I couldn't find anywhere else and the recipes are wonderful. I would buy this book again if I lost mine! ... Read more

Product Description
In her most comprehensive volume yet, Madhur Jaffrey draws on more than four decades of culinary adventures, travels, and experimentation for a diverse collection that both intrigues and delights the palate. Dishes from five continents touch on virtually all the world's best loved flavors, for a unsurpassed selection of vegetarian fare.
        
More than 650 recipes exemplify Madhur's unsurpassed ability to create simple, flavorful homecooking that is well within the reach of every cook. Extensive sections on Beans, Vegetables, Grains, and Dairy explore the myriad ways these staples are enjoyed worldwide. Each section opens with a detailed introduction; Madhur describes methods for preparation and storage, as well as different cooking techniques and their cultural origins. Throughout she balances appealing, uncomplicated dishes such as sumptuous omelets and rich polentas with less familiar ingredients such as green mangoes, pigeon peas, and spelt. Madhur demystifies the latter with clear-cut explanations so that incorporating new combinations and interesting flavors into everyday cooking becomes second nature. She also offers substantial sections on Soups, Salads, and Drinks, as well as Sauces and Other Flavorings, to help round out a meatless meal and add exciting new flavors to even the most easily prepared dishes. Finally, a complete glossary of ingredients and techniques clarifies some of the little-known elements of the world's cuisines so that even the uninitiated can bring the flavors of Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and more to their tables.
        
Throughout this extensive collection, Madhur includes personal anecdotes and historical contexts that bring her recipes to life, whether she's remembering field of leeks she saw in the mountains of northern Greece or describing how corn-based dishes arrived in Indonesia through colonial trade. Committed vegetarians will rejoice at the wide variety of meatless fare she offers, and nonvegetarians will enjoy experimenting with Madhur's global flavorings. This highly readable resource promises to be a valuable addition to any cook's library, helping everyone make healthful ethnic foods a part of everyday cooking.Amazon.com Review
The author of seven previous cookbooks, including the classic Indian Cooking, MadhurJaffrey is among today's most influential and authoritative food writers.Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian, a meticulously researchedcollection of more than 750 meatless dishes from around the globe, presentsits author in superlative form, culling the best vegetarian home-styledishes from virtually every culture and cooking tradition. Jaffrey's book,filled with delicious, approachable recipes, has universal appeal, andshould be part of every cook's library.

Divided into sections on beans, grains, and vegetables, and includingchapters on vegetables, soups, salads, and sauces, among other topics, thebook brilliantly juxtaposes recipes grouped by ingredient to reveal,finally, the way that ingredient is approached globally to make food. Thus,for example, Jaffrey's section on rice offers Persian Pilaf with LimaBeans, Palestinian Rice with Lentils and Browned Onions, and Risotto withFried Porcini Mushrooms, among other pitch-perfect dish choices in this andother chapters. Less familiar ingredients like spelt, millet, and soybeansare removed from the realm of dubious interest and presented in compellingrecipes, such as Spicy Soybean Patties with Mint. Throughout, Jaffreyprovides definitive notes on ingredients (her full investigation ofcouscous types is one of many examples) and techniques, as well as a trulycomprehensive glossary. Jaffrey also offers a small but charming section ondrinks; her Fresh Lime and Ginger Syrup from India, to be mixed with iceand soda water, is a simple but marvelous summertime treat, and one moreexample of Jaffrey at excitingly full throttle. A ten-page section ofcolor photos rounds out this expert collection. --Arthur Boehm ... Read more

Customer Reviews (66)

Madhur's measurements don't mix
I have tried many of these recipes again and again and again but her measurements don't add up.Either there's way too much water or too little, or she tells you to add sugar or another ingredient at strange points in the recipe that just doesn't add up to anyone who cooks a lot, and you can taste it in the end result.Something is just 'off' in these recipes, they should be absolutely delicious.I am throwing this book out altogether (that is donating or selling it).I really look for the best in everyone, but I am inspired inform you to the conspiracy of Madhur Jaffrey: She has "cooked" these recipes so that she won't reveal the real recipes to us.She doesn't want us to know them- she is selling crap.

comprehensive vegetarian recipes from worldwide cuisunes
This book gives us a complete account of how to prepare many vegetarian and vegan and/or gluten free meals. Apart from describing how to prepare basic ingredients, there are recipes for accompaniments which can be stored or refrigerated. Many of the ingredients can be prepared in the same way for dishes of different cultures. Time-saving hints are included.
A very enjoyable, exciting cook book.

My favorite cookbook
This is by far my favorite cookbook.I especially love all the recipes for beans and other legumes.Fantastic.

A Tremendous Range of Excellent Recipes
I honestly don't know anything about Madhur Jaffrey or her reputation--other than that she is Indian.This is the only one of her books I own, but I have been using this as my #1 go-to vegetarian cook book for years (i.e. before anything by Mollie Katzen).The scope of this book is immense, including recipes from cultures all over the world, and containing a huge variety of ingredients.Not only does she include this huge variety of ingredients in her recipes, but each chapter introduction explains the origins of them with a quick overview of different ways she likes to prepare them.I've never thought of myself as a great cook, and improvising in the kitchen is not something I do well, but this type of information has helped me begin to break out of this rut.

But most importantly, the recipes in World Vegetarian are consistently excellent.I have never hit a dud yet.I can't think of any other cook book I can say that of, and I own a stack.

My single concern with World Vegetarian is that a few of the ingredients can be difficult to find, depending on where you live, and some of the methods are a little esoteric, occasionally involving laborious steps of questionable necessity.That said however, I have to say that these types of recipes are not the rule, and I've had a lot of success ignoring steps that don't seem necessary, and omitting obscure spices, and the finished product has still been excellent.And I have to say that this book contains numerous recipes that are stunningly simple and easy... and as always, very tasty.

I unreservedly recommend World Vegetarian to cooks of any background or skill level, and it's invaluable, for example, to CSA subscribers who end up with a lot of vegetables they have never used before, and don't want to gamble on a ruined meal.If the ingredient is in this book, Madhur Jaffrey will tell you about it, and guide you to a wonderful meal with it.

....a must-have for the vegetarian cook
Many easy to make and tasty recipes. I know I will be using this book on a regular basis when I have to prepare a dish for the church potluck dinner or brunch. I had seen the book at a friend's house and tasted some of the recipes, so knew that it was what I wanted. There are really "recipes fron around the world" - even my country of origin! ... Read more

Product Description
Meatless meals so simple, they almost make themselves. Easy to prepare recipes with ingredients found in any grocery store make getting a healthy meal on the table simple and quick. While created with diabetic nutrition in mind, this is a great resource for anyone interested in a healthier lifestyle. Nutritional information with each recipe lets you know what you're eating. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Yummy recipes!!
This book is WONDERFUL. The recipes are easy, with commonplace ingredients - things already in your kitchen. We were struggling a little to come up with vegetarian meal ideas. This book has done a great job of filling the need. We haven't found a recipe so far that we don't like. The sauces are great, and a wonderful resource for other dishes. We even bought a 2nd book as a gift for another family. Very pleased. Makes cooking without meat a delight!

back reads
Delicious, healthy, short and simple recipes. Yummy family favorites are updated. Nutritional information with each recipe lets you know what you're eating.
Appetizers to desserts with a vegetarian flair. Includes: Tickled-Pink Pickled Onions, Mediterranean Salad, Vegetable Gumbo, Grilled Portobello Burgers, Linguine Primavera, Louisiana Red Beans and rice.

Excellent soups
This book is worth the price just for the soups alone. They are easy, nutritious, great tasting, and have become a staple in our house.

Easy and quick recipes
I love this book. I have been a vegetarian all my life .After having got this book a couple of months ago, I have tried the potato-leek soup, the hearty potato soup, the spinach tortellini soup , the cuban black-bean soup and I loved them. I have also tried a couple of burrito recipes and they turned out good.

Just Okay
Recipes are easy, quick to prepare and they give counts for calories, carbs, fiber, fats, sodium, etc.,so they make figuring points for Weight Watchers or Diabetics easy.However, the recipes aren't good.I so wanted to like this book, but I was really disappointed. ... Read more

Product Description
"Vegetarian Recipes" overflows with new and delicious meatless main dish recipes. Each of the 68 recipes is written in a streamlined fashion, accompanied by a nutritional analysis, and shown in a color photograph. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Perfect Vegetarian Cookbook
I really love this cookbook because it uses simple ingredients to make tasty meals and what I love best is the picture for every meal! Some cookbooks only show pictures for some meals but this one shows a picture for each one. I like the simple ingredients since some vegetarian cookbooks use ingredients that are difficult to find or use. A friend of mine bought this book for me and I loved it so much I bought another one to give as a gift to my mother in law - she loves this book also and she is not even a vegetarian!

Great Pictures
This cookbook has beautiful pictures to bad the food does not live up to them.I tried 2 recipes both were bland and tasteless.I was so disappointed that I throw the book in the trash.Don't waste your money and time.

Excellent!
This is an excellent cookbook for vegetarians. The recipes are easy, most dishes are quickly made, and most recipes use basic ingredients that you will have at home. It has become one of my go-to cookbooks.

Easy and accessible vegetarian meals
This is my favorite vegetarian cookbook, and I have several. There is a photo of each finished recipe, the instructions are precise and clear, the recipes are mostly easy and the ingredient lists are simple and accessible at any major food market. None of those specialty ingredients that you find in other books.

Also, many recipes use shortcuts like canned and frozen ingredients, which makes it possible to keep them on hand and reduces prep time. With the addition of a few fresh ingredients, you can be ready to go. Each recipe has a helpful tip, shortcut or serving suggestion, which comes in handy.

This one is a must for anyone who wants to try vegetarian cooking.

About the Book --
From the Book:

Whether you're a strict vegetarian or just like to go meatless occasionally, Cooking For Today Vegetarian Recipes offers you a valuable mix of nutrients with lots of variety, taste and visual appeal. All at a very affordable price, too.

Includes full-page color photographs of each recipe.

In this book you will find:

Hearty soups like Spicy Black Bean Chili, and Creamy Two-Bean Chowder with Pesto
Main dishes like Fresh Vegetable Risotto and Cheese, and Basil Polenta with Tomato-Basil Sauce
Meal-maker salads like Pasta-Millet Salad with Porcini Mushrooms, and Sizzling Goat Cheese Salad
Sensational Sandwiches such as Grilled Brie Sandwich with Greens, and Asparagus Egg Salad with Dill Dressing

More than 65 easy-to-make recipes using easy-to-find ingredients, includes two pages of cooking tips and an easy-to-use index.

A nutritional analysis provided by the Better Homes and Gardens Test Kitchen for every recipe. ... Read more

Product Description
As more and more people search for a healthy lifestyle and diet they are discovering the refreshingly simple cuisine of the Mediterranean. Depending on fresh produce, such as tomatoes, aubergines and garlic, combined with olive oil and herbs such basil, coriander and mint, the food of this region is exuberant, colourful and intensely beneficial to good health. From her extensive travels, Claudia Roden has collected over 150 of her favourite recipes, each one capturing the essential qualities of the region. The Mediterranean diet - high in fibre and low in saturated fats and sugars - emphasizes the use of a wide range of vegetables, grains and pulses. Claudia Roden's vegetarian recipes will satisfy every palate, while a chapter on Fish and Seafood will appeal to those who are not completely vegetarian. All Claudia Roden's recipes are infused with her lifelong passion for Mediterranean cooking - her selection of fruit desserts completes this inspired collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Super cookbook
This is my third cookbook by this author. _The Food of Italy_ is very good, and I have several time-worn favorites in _A New Book of Middle Eastern Food_. But since getting these two, my daughter and I stopped eating meat, and we were looking for a bit of culinary inspiration. Well, we have it in _Invitation_. My daughter was especially thrilled since the book is geared to exactly what we eat: veggies and seafood. The recipes are elegant, creative, uncommon, but completely doable. (If only we could get zucchini here in Taiwan!) They tend toward the light side - we avoid stodgy food when we can - using fresh ingredients artistically. This book had me daydreaming of home entertaining again, the kind with style and flair. Some of the recipes that grabbed my attention: Lentil and Spinach Salad, Spicy Walnut Paste, Brown Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions, Couscous with Roast Vegetables, Eggplant Omelet, Salsa Verde, Fish Soup with Saffron and Cream. We try to avoid sweets, but there is a seductive photo of Sauteed Fruit with Almond Custard that sends out a siren call every time I open to that page (201, if you want to stop there first). The book includes expertly composed photographs, has generous margins and comfortable type, and is overall a high-quality volume as regards design, paper, printing, and binding. If any of this strikes a chord with you, this book should be a winner for you, too.

Very good but not completely Mediterranean
The book written by Ms. Roden is a very good book containing interesting recipes, but I do not consider it as Mediterranean. It is more North African. Olive oil, garlic and fish are the three thingns that symbolysethe region. They lack in the book. I hope that they will appear in the nextprintings. If needed; I am ready to assist with recipes.

Good but North African instead of Mediterranean
It is a very good book but it mostly reflects the North African kitchen. In the Mediterranean there are three things very common: olive oil, garlic and fish.These lack in the book. Excluding these it is very good.

Ifthere will be a secnd edition of this book, it must for sure be enrichedwith Mediterranean seafood recipes. It am ready to help.

Excellent Recipes, appetizing photos, reader friendly
This is one of the best vegetarian (mainly) books I have looked at lately.I haven't been cooking verymuch and this made we want to give a dinner party.In cookbooks, photographs are very important tome and the ones in this book are wonderful.I would give it an A+/ ... Read more

Product Description
Vegetarian Times Low-Fat & Fast If you've been searching for a cookbook to help you put delicious meatless meals on the table in a hurry, then look no further. The editors of Vegetarian Times magazine, the leading authorities on the vegetarian lifestyle, have compiled this delicious collection of 150 recipes, all of which can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. In fact, many of the recipes are easy enough to complete in just 15 or 20 minutes. Not just easy, all of the recipes in Vegetarian Times Low-Fat & Fast are Low in Fat too. Of course, eating meatless meals is always healthful, but, as the Vegetarian Times editors explain, you still need to watch what you eat to stay fit and healthy. Light vegetarian cooking can be made simple by cutting back on eggs, using Low-Fat cheeses, sautÉing with olive oil instead of butter, and trying healthy cooking techniques like grilling, broiling, roasting, and steaming, all of which bring out the best flavors in your food. Whether you're a Long-time vegetarian or vegan Looking for some exciting new and easy recipes to try, or a "part-time" vegetarian just trying to eat meatless meals a Few times a week for better health, this is the book for you. Vegetarian Times Low-Fat & Fast is a timesaving cookbook that will make anyone, even beginner cooks, Feel at home in the kitchen. Sample Recipes

• Caribbean Bean Burgers
• Sesame Broccoli
• Mexican Lasagna
• Vegan Caesar Salad
• Black Bean Flautas
• Pesto Mashed Potatoes
• Tandoori-Style Chickpeas
• Indonesian Fried Rice
• Six Vegetable Couscous

Customer Reviews (18)

Reasonable recipes
A good recipe book for relatively simple vegetarian meals.Ingredients are not fancy and generally if not always available.Fast and good food.

A must have cook book!
I love this book, moved and lost my old copy, so I bought it a second time even!

There is a bit of a curve, no recipe that involves "real" cooking can be made in 15-20 minutes, but once you make them once or twice, some can be made even faster...I love the veggie dumpling stew, and its super quick to make for a hearty meal with a very classic flavor.

I'll admit it does lack a bit in variety, but there are recipes I turn to again and again, and that is good enough for me!

I've used this cookbook for years
My husband and I have tried several recipes in this book and we've loved 99% of them.It's well worn and marked up with lots of smiley faces (something we put on the top of the page if we really like a recipe).I've made minor adjustments over the years on ingredient amounts to compensate for our personal tastes, but over all it's been a "go-to" book when we're pressed for time and need to make dinner quickly.

My Favorite Cookbook
I use this cookbook every week and love the recipes. I have been vegetarian since 1995 and have a large collection of vegetarian cookbooks, but this little book is my all time favorite.I use it at least twice a week.The recipes are full of flavor and attractive.Some of my favorites recipes are Vegetarian Stew with Dumplings, African Sweet Potato Stew, Texas Red Chili, Taco Salad, and Chinese Vegetables in Peanut Sauce. My husband is not a vegetarian, but he enjoys these great dishes as much as I do.The recipes use everyday ingredients and make wonderful leftovers.

Regarding the review that this cookbook only has beans and pasta - well that may be a valid opinion, but those foods are staples in the vegetarian diet, as are nuts, tofu, and eggs (for lacto-ovo vegetarians like me).

Great Food, Vegetarian or Not
I am not a vegetarian but I love the recipes in this book.The muffuletta sandwich is awesome.I found the recipes very easy and tasty.They are also wonderful for entertaining. ... Read more

Product Description
Vegetarian cookery, once associated with the East, is now a firmly established part of our Western culture and eating habits. As meat-free cooking has grown in popularity and sophistication, we have borrowed a whole range of techniques and ideas from various cultures, creating an exciting new tradition of globally influenced vegetarian cuisine. Rather than approaching vegetarianism from a dry, didactic standpoint, this major new book takes as its starting point the principle that vegetarian cooking is one of the most interesting, dynamic areas in food today and provides a collection of the very best recipes the world's various cuisines have to offer. Chapter to chapter the book focuses on different ingredients, from vegetables and grains to pulses and dairy products, providing fascinating information about less familiar ingredients, such as wild rice or the many new kinds of salad leaves available. Over 500 recipes draw on the whole world for their inspiration, from Thailand to Tunisia, from the Mediterranean to Mexico.Throughout Madhur Jaffrey's renowned talent for informing and inspiring her audience is apparent, and her own personal anecdotes and stories set the recipes in context. Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian will be a milestone in modern cuisine and is a book which is set to be on kitchen shelves for many, many years to come. ... Read more

Product Description
No, there is no chicken stock in this soup. What you'll find here is page after glorious page of the loveliest, most delicious soups and stews - each and every one entirely vegetarian. Brimming with international flavors, Paulette Mitchell's easy-to-follow recipes are paired with unique accompaniments, garnishes, and toppings that add tremendous visual appeal. Witness hearty Pumpkin Stew baked and served in a pumpkin shell; classic onion soup updated with crunchy goat cheese toasts; and Spicy Sweet Potato-Ancho Bisque swirled with bright Roasted Red Pepper Cream. From Mediterranean Saffron Stew to Greek Spinach and Orzo Soup, these colorful dishes are simple enough for every day, yet sophisticated enough for elegant dinner parties. Instructions for making tasty vegetable stock from scratch, a selection of delicious vegan soups, and a helpful "tips" section make this gorgeous cookbook an important addition to any kitchen where good food and good health are on the menu. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

delightful cookbook
I love this cookbook. My kitchen shelf has so many wonderful vegetarian cookbooks, yet this one stands out. The recipes are easy and the author has explained the process so thoughtfully and beautifully that I had no trouble knowing what do next. The end results are delicious, colorful, creative and elegant. Your guests will think you slaved all day to prepare something so beautiful. The Title is perfect. You will be empowered to prepare a "Beautiful Bowl of Soup".

Great, but some errors
The recipes in this book are quite beautiful, and I like the structure of each recipe.It was also very helpful for tips to make several of the recipes vegan, which is a nice alternative when trying to make a healthier soup.

My qualms:
-Not enough pictures (which seems to be a common theme in the reviews).I've never made soups like this, so it would be nice to know what the finished product looks like.
-Editing errors.At the beginning of the book, there are obvious errors such as sentences that end halfway through and quotes that are repeated, as well as odd formatting marks that were clearly meant to be removed before printing.I'd like a book full of beautiful recipes to look polished.

All-in-all, a good purchase, but I do hope the publishers fix their mistakes for the next printing.

A Beautiful Book of Keeper Recipes
It is tough to find a vegetarian cookbook that doesn't have impossibly exotic ingredients.Mitchell uses a variety of common vegetables, and she explains how to store and use them.The ingredients were very familiar to me, but I would never have considered combining them in such a way or have thought to prepare them that way.Who knew you could do so much with celery leaves!

Ten of the twelve recipes that I've tried have become staples for our diet.My husband and I have already lost 13 pounds each.The hearty and healthful recipes are perfect with a slice of toasted whole grain bread or half of a sandwich.On the weekends, I make two pots of soup and we freeze individual portions for the coming weeks.We each get to choose our favorites.My husband even makes deals with me to get his favorites (French Vegetable, a Ramen soup, carrot cashew, and the cover recipe - Wild Rice and Cranberry).Yum!

I also feel pretty confident in making my own vegetable stock now; there's no need to look at the recipe.If you're looking for a collection of tasty, nutritious, and eye-pleasing recipes, then you've come to the right place.Though I wouldn't say these recipes are quick and simple, they are very doable and worth the moderate effort.Whether you want to entertain or just feed your family, you won't be disappointed.

Not for vegetarians only
I am not a vegetarian, although I probably eat a lot less red meat than most people.My review is aimed at those who are not vegetarian and wondering if they should get this book.

If you love good soups, the answer is unambiguously "YES!"

The recipes I've tried so far have been excellent; very interesting and very flavorful.I honestly didn't even notice that it lacked meat.

The Acorn Squash and Fava Bean Stew recipe so far is my favorite.It's pretty amazing how well the different ingredients interact with each other, especially the chard which I've never cooked with before.And the fava beans give you the protein you need to cover for the lack of meat.

Since it's getting into the cold time of year, when soups are just glorious, I love to make batches of soup, freeze the leftovers, and then throughout the work week reheat for a hearty flavorful and warm comfort food.If that sounds like you and you'd like to try some different and tasty soup recipes, this is your book.

Favorite cookbook
This is my new favorite cookbook. I've had it about a month and now my weekly shopping is 90% based on these recipes. I think other reviews have covered all the salient points: nicely formatted, unusual and delicious recipes, beautiful pictures, etc. I can only add that this is the only cookbook I have that I would describe as fun. Get a squeeze bottle for this one - it's going to be crazy! ... Read more

Product Description
150 deliciously diverse, culturally based recipes and the history and lore behind them.

"When enjoying a steamy serving of greens laces with peppers or a bowl of spicy gumbo, many people are unaware of the African origins of their meal...The Ethnic Vegetarian was created to preserve and showcase the vegetarian culture of my ancestors."So writes Angela Shelf Medearis in her introduction to this fabulous new cookbook.

The Ethnic Vegetarian opens with three chapters explaining how to adopt an ethnic vegetarian lifestyle, ideas for creating an ethnic vegetarian-friendly kitchen, and basic techniques for cooking in this manner.Next come the wonderfully inventive recipes - from "Moroccan Zucchinin Pancakes" and "Senegalese Tofu" to an eggplant-based "Congo Moambe" - all organized by ethnic cuisine:African, Afro-Caribbean, Native American, Creole, Slavery and Southern, and Modern

More than just recipes, the book also weaves traditions and lore surrounding African-American cookery with the author's own personal memories, experiences, and family history.Her warm and inviting style beckons readers of any ethnic background to explore the homespun authenticity of her recipes and tales to conclude, with her, that "African-inspired vegetarian dishes are as much a part of the American culinary table as apple pie."
... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

As Described

I'm giving this book as a gift next month, but have made a few recipes for the birthday girl, who was a food critic for our newspaper for 20 years.This book has her thinking I'm brilliant!Don't know if I should admit that they're really easy recipes and just perfect combinations of flavors. . .

Decent cookbook with something for everyone, but with flaws
The Ethnic Vegetarian is a book of mostly very easy-to-prepare recipes, cleverly arranged by related cuisines:1) African, 2) Afro-Carribean, 3) African/Native American (a very specific cuisine from the American South slavery and early post-slavery era), 4) Creole/Cajun, 5) Southern (closely related to African/Native American cuisine), and 6) Modern African American foods.Within each section of cuisines are short lists of condiments, appetizers, salads, soups, mains, breads, desserts, and beverages.

Because of the ambitious nature of the book--six cuisines and at least six courses per cuisine, in only 272 pages including all the intro stuff and the index--none of these cuisines is covered in very much depth.This means there is offered only a small handful of each kind of food. There is a very short menus section toward the end, but this too is enough to tempt but not satisfy.

I think this book is best for two types of cooks:
1) beginning cooks interested in trying their hand at making tasty, basic dishes of African and African-American origin.The book is great for new cooks who love many different flavor combinations--sweet, spicy, earthy, rich--and who want to start easy and work their way up; and
2) very confident cooks who already know what generally they prefer to cook and eat, know how to experiment widely, and want some suggestions for great African-origin dishes, flavors, and combinations, and are comfortable adapting recipes to their liking.

There is a section in the back on what to stock in your pantry--very useful if you are just starting out in your cooking adventures and aren't really sure what foods you might want to have on hand.Similarly, there's a basics section that tells you good stuff about preparing dried beans, toasting nuts, prepping chiles, etc.

I found the book fairly useful as a compilation of suggestions--but suggestions I would almost certainly, and sometimes radically, revise to suit my tastes.My tastes are foods made fresh from scratch, whole foods, and artfully-prepared vegetarian foods that don't try to pass themselves off as meat--tastes not terribly accommodated by this book.The book is also fairly heavy on the dairy and eggs, which means vegans have to do the usual recipe adaptations.

This book is, in my opinion, a little too reliant on prepared foods that are meant to mimic animals.This isn't necessarily a fundamental flaw in the book:There is a place for this kind of cooking, particularly if you are in a household where someone is a hard-core meat eater and has a prejudice against anything vegetarian; in this case, maybe you want foods that seem enough like meat to entice the carnivore to even try your dishes.It is also true that a couple of the cuisines in this book are meat-heavy (particularly Southern US cuisines) and therefore take some creative re-engineering to adapt them to vegetarian palates.

It's just that I don't think vegetarian food has anything to apologize for (quite the contrary, great vegetarian food is worthy of trumpeting!).

One thing that keeps me from giving this book a higher rating:In the discussion of types of vegetarians, the author includes people who eat chicken and fish.Let us be very clear:No vegetarians eat animals.There is a wide spectrum of vegetarians, with vegans (no animal products of any kind whatsoever) being the purest and lacto-ovo vegetarians (dairy and eggs included) being the most permissive.But no vegetarian of any kind will eat a fish or a chicken, as these are animals, and vegetarians by even the most lax definition do not eat animals.Although there are no recipes in the book that include chicken or fish, I am dismayed that a "vegetarian" cookbook would include eating animals in a "vegetarian" diet.If you've ever been stuck on an 11-hour airplane trip with no food to eat because the term "vegetarian" is misunderstood, you'll understand my dismay.
.......

The Ethnic Vegetarian is a decent book, not a great book.I do pull it out of my shelf on occasion.I'd pull it out a lot more often if it were more comprehensive, less oriented toward prepared meat-like foods, and perhaps a little more advanced.My complaints about this book may be the very reasons someone else praises it.

In any case, I'm just glad there's such a book out there at all, whether I perceive flaws in it or not.

not the same old beans and pasta
I looked for an ethnic vegetarian cookbook when I realized that I was scouring my standard cookbooks for Indian or Ethiopian inspired vegetarian recipes. We've tried 5 recipes so far and found them all excellent. The recipes are organized first by region (African, Caribbean, Native American, Creole, Southern, and Modern African-American), then by type (appetizers, soups, etc). What this book does well is to offer recipes from a lot of cultures that seem to be overlooked in other vegetarian cookbooks. The recipes are unusual but tasty. Some are spicy hot, some aren't. Most of the ingredients are readily available (or have substitutions) and many recipes are quick.

There are two reasons that I did not give 5 stars. The first is that this book occasionally commits a vegetarian sin in my opinion by taking a recipe intended for chicken or some other meat and simply substituting tofu. If you like tofu, it won't bother you. To me, it's unimaginative and cheating in a way. I dislike tofu but really like lentils and beans. I'd rather have more recipes that are designed to be vegetarian from the start.

The other reason I knocked off a star is because there are no pictures of food items. I really like to see what a dish is supposed to look like. Again, if it doesn't bother you, it's fine.

My favorite cookbook so far!
I used to only cook Thai and Indian vegetarian foods, then saw this book and was impressed by the variety of new recipes, including things I knew from Southern and African restaurants.When tagging the recipes I wanted to try first, I found myself marking half the pages!It's great for planning a week of menus using similar ingredients to make a ton of different things.I half all the recipe quantities, and they are good for 2-3 people that way.It's all been delicious and easy, with most main dishes only using one pot.The instructions for Injera (Ethiopian bread) were creative and it turned out great!I'm starting to use the more authentic ingredients suggested in the recipe descriptions instead of the Americanized versions, using produce and flours from Mexican and Indian grocers (we don't have an African grocer here), and it is even better that way.It's all very protein-rich, so I've never been tempted to add meat to anything in this book.

One of the best cookbooks EVER
I have tried almost half of the recipes and loved every single one.I was worried about the large amount of food - but I have never had leftovers for very long.Excellent and creative uses for veggie meat. ... Read more

Product Description

Jeanne Lemlin sets the standard for accessible and appealing vegetarian cooking. Vegetarian Classics is Jeanne's most useful and comprehensive book to date: an essential collection of 300 no-fail recipes for soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas, pizzas, calzones, casseroles, stir-fries, stove-top dishes, sides, snacks, desserts, and breakfasts. Each recipe is deeply satisfying and surprisingly simple, reflecting Jeanne's trademark dedication to uncomplicated techniques and unparalleled flavor.

Customer Reviews (7)

My favorite cookbook.
I try recipes from a lot of vegetarian cookbooks, and this one is consistently awesome. I actually bought this one (normally I borrow them from the library) so I could have it for quick reference.

A classic that lives up to its name
Excellent, delicious recipes with clear directions and layout.I probably use it at least once a week but more if you count the recipes I've memorized.:)My only criticism is the frustrating index in the back of the book which makes it next to impossible to quickly find something you remember.

Another great one from Lemlin
I am a huge fan of all of Jeanne Lemlin cookbooks, and this is just another addition to my collection.I am not a vegetarian, but don't eat much meat.I like simple recipes, easy to find ingredients, a good balance of nutrition, and most of all, delicious recipes.Oh, and I really like it when just one dish fulfills all these needs and you don't need side dishes (keeping it simple).Jeanne Lemlin cookbooks all meet my criteria.Some of my favorite recipes from this particular book are:Braised White Beans with Tomatoes, Zucchini, and Garlic; Classic Vegetarian Enchiladas (actually, those are in the oven right now), cooked tomato-chipotle salsa, and the Mock Meatloaf (I made this for Christmas, along with the mushroom gravy and some mashed potatoes- I made meatloaf sandwiches with the leftovers and my husband raved.The funny thing is, I HATE meatloaf made with real meat).There are many others I love, and many I haven't tried yet.

Great basics and wonderful menus
There's a section at the front of the book that explains most of the ingredients - where to buy, how to store and use - great for people who are a little shy about using new ingredients.It's a good book for beginners or people who are experimenting with adding more vegetarian options to their diet.There is a section on planning meals at the back that lets you put together a menu of complementary items and makes it easy to ensure good and balanced nutrition.

Directions are clear and interesting information is given about food and its uses, as well as easy-to-follow instructions for creating some kitchen basics so you don't have to succumb to store-bought preparations.

Only criticism is, I wish it was spiral bound or had one of those lay-flat bindings to keep it open on the countertop.

Highly recommended.

Love Jeanne Lemlin's Cookbooks
I've been collecting vegetarian cookbooks for years. Some I seldom use except for a favorite recipe or two. But Jeanne Lemlin's cookbooks are on my favorites list and I use them often. Her recipes are delicious, easy to prepare and satisfying to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.I own all of her cookbooks and would rejoice if she were to publish another one. ... Read more

Product Description
A collection of delicious slow-cooked one-pot recipes, including casseroles, stews, soups, puddings and desserts ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Greatest cookbook ever
Whether you are vegetarian or not, this is the best cookbook I have ever owned.

A photo for every recipe.
This is without a doubt the best cookbook I own. It taught me how to cook Indian food. One of the best things about it is that there are photos for each and every recipe. I am one of those people that needs to know how it's supposed to look when it's done, especially for international dishes that I have never seen. My Indian husband said that I can cook better than most Indians; I owe that to this book. In most cases, I have to double the spices to get the flavor closer to traditional Indian food. There are not just Indian recipes in here, but that's what I bought it for. It took the fear out of approaching something very foreign and complicated to me. Great Dhal recipe, potato fritters, samosas, and 997 more recipes... yummy! Well written, helpful photos, a keeper.

Great recipes, terrible index
I've been using this book for 5 years now. I've been a vegetarian for 11 years now. It's one of my most used along with the Moosewood cookbooks. Lot's of variety from easy to difficult, gourmet to simple. I love the indian recipes here the most. That being said, with a thousand recipes in here the Index and complete lack of any kind of Table of Contents makes it very difficult to use. For the price I'm amazed they got away with that. I often find myself flipping through hundreds of pages to find "that one" recipe that is perfect for whatever I need. Say your looking for a omlet-frittata type thing you remember making at one time. Any other cookbook you would look up eggs in the index right? Not here, the index goes almost solely by the name of the recipe which often has nothing to do with the main ingredients. With all the specialty ingredients here they really needed more explanation about what some ingredients are and where to find them. Prepare to do some research to find out what you need and construct your own useful Index. Once you've done that it's really got some great stuff.

Wonderful layout but it contained very few "hit" recipes in spite of the number or recipes included
I've noted in my last few cookbook reviews that I've been spending some time lately going through my big bookshelf of cookbooks and giving kudos to the ones I love and giving away those I don't.

I took this cookbook off the shelf last week wondering why I didn't remember any dishes I'd made out of it...I've had it for years. (I got it at TJ Maxx for a couple bucks. Can't beat that.) It's gorgeous, it's huge, it has a photo of every recipe, it even contains nutritional information.

In short, this cookbook is put together the way I want all my cookbooks to be. A world of selections and you know what you are getting...

So, I began flipping through the pages to decide what I'd be cooking from it this week. Oddly, although I enjoy reading a cookbook like some do a novel and taste the flavors in my head even before cooking...it was no easy task to find a recipe I wanted to cook.

While the build of the cookbook is wonderful, oddly, it's the recipes that make it lacking for a better rating.

There are, for example, maybe 50 rice recipes alone. Not dishes with rice in them, mind you, but just flavored rice. Jasmine rice, cumin rice, coconut rice, pesto rice... fairly plain. There are a lot of dishes that just have "little" to them or seem to be "filler" recipes in order to get the book bigger, it seems. Which may be, perhaps, why it wound up being sold at a discount store.

Then you have the "wow" dishes that I wanted to cook until I read the nutritionals and found that many had around 800 calories for a small serving. So I passed on those. I'd normally set aside dishes like this for a dinner party but they weren't THAT much of a "wow". Such as Vegetable Ravioli at 822 calories, Spinach lasagna at 720 calories, Walnut and Olive Pasta at 823... Nothing special, just really fattening for small servings.

Then I found some really unusual dishes (scores of these) like Indonesian Onions, honey and nut nests (spaghetti with honey and nuts and lemon juice), olive cake, crisp pickled vegetables, etc...not my thing. And there were TONS of these.

But, sadly, most dishes were more like side dishes than vegetarian meals. Scores of fairly plain potato dishes and the barbecue section consisted primarily of just plain chopped vegetables on skewers. And, trust me, I love me some 'taters...but not these.

Some dishes were very plain, or common like nachos (yes, really...a recipe for putting cheese on chips and maybe even gettin' wicked with it and adding refried beans.)(grin). There were lots of salsa recipes and fairly drab salad recipes. And I'm in a salad phase right now so I was an easy sell on salad but found few that weren't odd or bland ingredient-wise.

So, I'll be totally honest. I tore out 9 recipes I wanted to keep and put them in my binder. I wanted to keep this one! I really did...but I only kept a little over a handful of its contents. Yeah, just nine. I'll give away the rest of the cookbook...I cooked 6 dishes from this book this week and they won't be repeats. But there are still some that do sound good that I am going to give a shot...and those are the 9. These include beautiful dishes that read well with full flavors like the Trio of Potato Purees, Mexican Potato Salad, tomato and pasta bake, pasta with nuts and cheese, and some soups.

That said, I don't meet many cookbooks I don't enjoy. I love to cook. I love to food...and this cookbook would be good if you are looking for simple ideas like Bell Peppers with Thyme, potatoes in olive oil, some flavors of rice, etc. That's not a bad thing. It just, for me, tends to lean to being more of a side dish cookbook and not a very hearty one at that. However, there are lots of vegan recipes interspersed throughout the book so if you are a household including both a vegetarian or sometimes vegetarian and a vegan, this cookbook may be just the ticket for you.

It missed my own kitchen as its target audience...but I can't help but say it was wonderfully organized. It's dishes, for me, were bland or a little too exotic but, that said, if you never count calories there are some uber yummy sounding dishes at around 800 calories in here that I had to pass over. So I wouldn't rule those out for others in making this a well-rounded successful cookbook addition...and I suspect they'll be quite enjoyable.

And, after all, everything in balance makes eating rather grand.

the only cookbook I consistantly use
I have been a vegetarian for going on a decade now and I have bought many many different veggie cookbooks over the years.But this is the ONLY cookbook I use on a weekly basis.Basically 90% of my home-cooked meals come from this book, the rest is generally from the internet.

Before I move again I'm going to sell the rest of my cookbooks because they're really just taking up space (and getting covered in dust)


I am just so happy that I had a roommate with this book years ago, because with it being out of print, I don't know if I would have even known it existed!


(and to the person that thought there were too many expensive ingredients---cookbooks are just a guideline, you have to be willing to substitute sometime, and in that case, the internet is your friend) ... Read more

Product Description
EAT YOUR GREENS. . . and your yellows and oranges, your blues and purples, and your blacks and reds and browns!

It’s a great time to eat well. Farmers’ markets filled with local and organic vegetables are sprouting up everywhere, and supermarkets are spilling over with whole grain choices, bigger and better produce sections, and a variety of healthier convenience foods. Cooking for both health and pleasure has made creating this, our twelfth cookbook, a wonderful experience. What always remains fresh and constant is the joy we find in cooking and delight in eating.

—From the Introduction ... Read more

Customer Reviews (56)

great service, great book
I had entered my address incorrectly and they actually called me to ask if I might have made a mistake because the zip code didn't match the street.I was thrilled to be able to correct this information.The book arrived quickly and was in great shape.I love the book......great vegan recipes.

Fantastic Cookbook
I love this cookbook! Great recipes, excellent instructions, and love the "menu" suggestions! I have several of the Moosewood cookbooks and find them all very good. This one just happens to be my favorite.

If you do not own any Moosewood cookbooks, they have recipes that are not very complicated and don't include any unusual ingredients. I also find that most of the recipes do not need to be altered. They taste great and are very accurate with cooking times and instruction.

Great book
I really like this book a lot- I found it at a book store and read through it for hours, then I bought it on Amazon to save a few $$$ - it worked! Great recipes.

Best Healthy/Vegetarian Cookbook Ever!
I love this book!I found it at our local library and after rechecking it about 100 times I finally just bought myself one.I have tried over half the recipes and all were wonderful!After I've tried them all I plan to start again.However there are a few that are staples- like the granola, pancakes, muffins, and a few others- My kids think they make wonderful snacks!Healthy and tasty- Thankfully this book offers both!

Slowly Making the Switch...
The Moosewood Cookbook, Cooking for Health holds a collection of creative recipes that make switching to vegetarianism easy.My husband, who was a meat and potatoes type of guy, made the comment that he didn't feel deprived at all after eating the very filling Vegetable Saute Capriccio on page 170.Somehow the mixture of raw tomatoes and olive oil blends into a rich,creamy and delicious sauce for the dish.So far we've tried the Yellow Split Pea Dip (wonderful with vegetable or chips), Migas (had never heard of this before, but found it very filling and delicious, even without the cheese), and the Blueberry and Almond Quick Bread (subbed a few things to make it gluten free, it was very good the first day).

Many of the recipes contain cheese, so if you're dairy free like I am, you won't be able to use those, or you could search for a dairy free cheese.I haven't been able to find one here yet, but I'm still looking.Also, many of the recipes call for ingredients that contain gluten, but I found with a few substitutions, I can work around that for many of them.
... Read more

Product Description
Professional advice and guidance on techniques tell you everything you need to know about preparing vegetables and pulse. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Thumbs Down!
I purchased this book based on the other glowing review.I must be missing something because of the dozen or so vegetarian cookbooks I own, this is my LEAST favorite!It's a very nice large size with pictures of nearly every recipe, but that's the only thing I liked about it.It was published in Great Britain and has some odd terms and ingredients that I don't even recognize.Also, the measurement amounts are listed in Metric, Imperial, AND Standard, which I found very confusing and difficult to read.They put them all on one line for each ingredient in the recipe and then leave it up to you to figure out which one is right for you.Perhaps if they had just chosen one format and then listed the conversions at the bottom of the recipe it would have been simpler.Worst of all, after browsing through the book extensively, I never found a single recipe I was tempted to try!It's an expensive book, especially for a paperback, but I'll be donating mine to charity.

LOVE IT!
This is the best recipe book I have ever owned. Being a vegetarian, I love the big selection of recipes. Almost all recipes have pictures and the variety is great. Most recipes are easy to make too. My family and I absolutely LOVE this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Vegetarian recipes from the Southwest's favorite restaurants ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great book
This book is well worth the money.My wife uses it regularly and the whole family loves the meals she prepares.I am considering purchasing it for other family members who are trying to eat healthy

Slowest shipping ever!
The low rating is not on the quality of the product, (it was fine), but on the customer service.I thought this book got lost in the mail as it took a month for it to arrive.When I emailed the company as to when it had been mailed, I got a generic email back.When I emailed again, I got no response.Finally the book arrived, very late.

Brightflavors!Fresh ingredients! Even meat eaters are happy!
Most of the recipes in this book are right from the area where I live....I go to a lot of these restaurants and the recipes are right on!I was so excited when I saw this book in a little shop in Sedona and that was before I even knew they were restaurant recipes.
This is a great addition to your cookbook collection even if you are a meat eater, like my hubby.
Easy to follow recipes, common ingredients, nothing complicated, but such great flavors. Ya gotta try this book!I gave one to a friend who isn't a vegetarian and she uses it all time.

A true taste of the southwest!

The best vegie SW recipes .. and non-vegies will love it too!
My family and I spent a week camping in northern New Mexico this past June and had a wonderful time!But my most spectacular 'find' was Lon Walters lovely little book full of the very best of regional recipes from the American Southwest!I don't care what other reviewers say about the book's organization, just open it up and make whatever appears on the page before you!Everything I have made so far has been wonderful and fun to make.My Swiss husband, 10-year old daughter and 14-year old son are equally ecstatic about everything I have made .. and I do NOT back off on the spicing at all!Some recipes are more involved than others (which I prefer), but nothing is so involved that you will be reticient to make it.Even non-vegetarians will appreciate these recipes.I have already given two copies of this book as gifts and am buying three more today!!!You cannot go wrong with these recipes.VEGETARIAN SOUTHWEST has become my favorite cookbook in a fleet of some 75!

Great food, bad organization
Having moved from the Southwest to the Midwest, I was so excited to find a southwestern vegetarian cookbook.The recipies are interesting, and with a few minor exceptions, pretty simple and straightforward to execute.Thepictures are beautifully photographed.My complaints are largelyeditorial.The index isn't particularly useful for looking things up byingredients and the recipies themselves require reading through a couple oftimes.The quantities of ingredients and number of servings are sometimesdifficult to discern. ... Read more