# Suggest vegetarian cookbooks? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 4, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181 "2010-08-04T19:11:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/1 "2010-08-04T19:11:17Z")
I’ve got a couple Moosewood cookbooks, and _Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone_, and I’m aware of, you know, the Madjur Jaffrey Indian cookbooks and all. I also like [cookforgood.com](http://cookforgood.com) and have their e-books. I’m not really looking for ethnic stuff, though - feel like I’m covered there, and I don’t really want to have to hunt down too many exotic ingredients. Cookbooks that include more ethnic stuff as well as other stuff are fine, though. So, what are your favorite everyday veggie cookbooks? (I am not myself a vegetarian, by the way, but we tend to eat meatless meals maybe three or four days a week.) So what do you like? ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/2 "2010-08-04T19:29:42Z")
[How to Cook Everything Vegetarian](http://www.amazon.com/How-Cook-Everything-Vegetarian-Meatless/dp/0764524836/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280950099&sr=8-1). Disclaimer: I don’t actually own this book. But I know Bittman is good enough that I have no problems recommending it sight unseen. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/3 "2010-08-04T20:16:14Z")
Geez, I’d have to look on my shelves at home and see what I have. The ones that are coming to mind are vegan, and that might not be to your taste. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/4 "2010-08-04T20:42:14Z")
I’ve been using Anna Thomas’ recipes since forever. [All her books](http://www.vegetarianepicure.com/newveg3.htm) are great, but I like the first one, _The Vegetarian Epicure_ best (despite all the evil cheese, butter and sour cream she throws around). ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/5 "2010-08-04T21:49:34Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Geez, I’d have to look on my shelves at home and see what I have. The ones that are coming to mind are vegan, and that might not be to your taste. Ha! See, I’ve been thinking about buying [Veganomicon](http://www.amazon.com/Veganomicon-Ultimate-Isa-Chandra-Moskowitz/dp/156924264X/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280958296&sr=8-22) because the reviews say that the author avoids my least favourite vegetarian/vegan recipe staple: fake meat products (refuse to eat them, have tried 'em all). The faux meat stuff is the biggest reason I never bought her other book _Vegan with a Vengeance_ and just used the recipes off her [website (PPK)](http://www.theppk.com/). ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/6 "2010-08-04T23:20:32Z")
> [@anu-la1979](#): > > Ha! See, I’ve been thinking about buying [Veganomicon](http://www.amazon.com/Veganomicon-Ultimate-Isa-Chandra-Moskowitz/dp/156924264X/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280958296&sr=8-22) because the reviews say that the author avoids my least favourite vegetarian/vegan recipe staple: fake meat products (refuse to eat them, have tried 'em all). Veganomicon was one I was thinking of. They do use some seitan (with recipes to make the stuff) and tofu, but not so much the pre-packaged fake meats, no. There’s also some vaguely oddball ingredients that you might only find in older, more “hippie” vegetarian cookbooks, like the occasional appearance of nutritional yeast, for instance. Plus I **love the name!** “I have to consult… the _Veganomicon_.” [Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World](http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Cupcakes-Take-Over-World/dp/1569242739/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280963137&sr=8-1) is pretty awesome. I’m planning my first foray into it with their chocolate cupcake and the coconut pecan frosting which apparently makes a yummy German chocolate cake combo together. [reFresh](http://www.amazon.com/reFresh-Contemporary-Recipes-Winning-Restaurants/dp/0470840846/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280963186&sr=1-1) is based on the recipes from the chain of vegan restaurants called Fresh in/around Toronto. Half the book is smoothie/juicer recipes, but the half that’s actual solid food is pretty nice. I like the recipes for rice bowls and noodle dishes, especially the sauces. Hmm. I don’t actually **have** that many vegetarian cookbooks. I have a few more but they’re mostly ethnic-based. There’s always the Vegetarian Times compendium. Anything written by Nava Atlas is usually good; maybe check out [The Vegetarian Family Cookbook](http://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-Family-Cookbook-Nava-Atlas/dp/0767913965/ref=sr_1_24?s=STORE&ie=UTF8&qid=1280963618&sr=1-24) or [The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet](http://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-5-Ingredient-Gourmet-Nava-Atlas/dp/076790690X/ref=pd_sim_b_2). ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/7 "2010-08-04T23:45:59Z")
I bought my GF the [Vegan Soul Kitchen](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=vegan+soul+food+cookbook&cid=1863230666015005292&ei=UvtZTPOLMIPqwgW-x_2NBA&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p) cookbook. We’ve made a lot of stuff out of it and everything has been pretty damn good (I’m not a veggie at all). ---
**Author:** ![MTRG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@MTRG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTRG)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/8 "2010-08-04T23:49:54Z")
[mexico:the vegetarian table](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0811830365/?tag=yahhyd-20&hvadid=37888304011&ref=pd_sl_8wg46jpa32_b) by victoria wise was one of the first cookbooks my wife and i ever bought. there are many dishes that we prepare time and time again. ---
**Author:** ![cuberdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@cuberdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuberdon)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/9 "2010-08-05T01:13:57Z")
I was going to suggest the Moosewood books, but you have those, and you say you aren’t interested in ethnic stuff. If you’re open to getting recipes online, [epicurious.com](http://epicurious.com) has a really good advanced search function and includes options for restricting to vegetarian and vegan recipes. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/10 "2010-08-05T01:51:31Z")
> [@LouiseE](#): > > I was going to suggest the Moosewood books, but you have those, and you say you aren’t interested in ethnic stuff. > > If you’re open to getting recipes online, [epicurious.com](http://epicurious.com) has a really good advanced search function and includes options for restricting to vegetarian and vegan recipes. My Food network app on my blackberry has the same filter option. Which is great when I have my veggie friends over. They don’t much care for my Bedouin stuffed camel. ---
**Author:** ![E.Thorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/11 "2010-08-05T04:52:03Z")
My favorite author is Jeanne Lemlin. Her recipes are easy, hearty, and yummy. ---
**Author:** ![Baboonanza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@Baboonanza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baboonanza)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/12 "2010-08-05T12:51:57Z")
[Leiths Vegetable Bible](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=leiths+vegetable+bible&x=0&y=0) is an essential for anyone who likes vegetables (vegetarian or not). Recipes are organised by type of vegetables so it’s really good for finding recipes for seasonal fruit and veg or whatever you happen to have and every recipe I’ve made has been delicious. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/13 "2010-08-05T18:47:25Z")
My favorite cookbooks are by EatingWell. The best are [EatingWell In Season](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=eatingwell+in+season&x=0&y=0&ih=3_7_5_3_0_1_0_1_0_1.24_40&fsc=-1), [EatingWell serves two](http://www.amazon.com/EatingWell-Serves-Two-Healthy-Suppers/dp/0881507237/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281033848&sr=1-1), and [EatingWell Healthy in a Hurry](http://www.amazon.com/EatingWell-Healthy-Hurry-Cookbook-Delicious/dp/0881506877). My favorite is the Serves 2. While EatingWell is largely not vegetarian, they are the best vegetarian recipes I’ve ever run across, and I and my SO are vegetarian 4-5 days/week. I think they’re so great because they’re very “hearty” and they don’t tend to use tofu or seitan much (I’m not a huge fan of either) but rather to make actual dishes centered on whole grains and vegetables. They’re also very healthy, without being diet-y. Something I’ve noticed in a lot of vegetarian cooking is plenty of cream and butter to make up for flavor, which is notably absent in EatingWell. My favorite summer EatingWell dish is [Quinoa, Mango, and Blackbean Salad](http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/quinoa_mango_black_bean_salad.html). Just go easy on the orange juice - I never use as much. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/14 "2010-08-05T21:10:20Z")
I suggest this a lot here, but once again: [The Occasional Vegetarian](http://www.amazon.com/Occasional-Vegetarian-Karen-Lee/dp/0446674524) is great. I made the roasted vegetable cassoulet for a veggie friend when she had her baby and she was blown away. The orzo primavera is a favorite of my husband, even though he generally likes meat. The Splendid Table’s [How to Eat Supper](http://www.amazon.com/Splendid-Tables-How-Supper-Award-Winning/dp/0307346714/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281040724&sr=1-1) has lots of yummy meat-free ideas, though it also includes meat recipes. Right now I’m making Summer Zucchini Pasta, which looks gorgeous! ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/15 "2010-08-05T21:28:42Z")
I love _Dakshin_. It’s a South Indian cookbook - has the best recipes for aloo masala, various rice dishes, sambhar and dosa. The Moosewood cookbooks you referenced are awesome, too. And I think _Cooking Light_ has a vegetarian book out, too. ---
**Author:** ![Sonnenstrahl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Sonnenstrahl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sonnenstrahl)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2010, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/16 "2010-08-06T01:09:57Z")
I’m not vegetarian but I use Veganomicon fairly frequently because, as mentioned above, most of the recipes are based on legumes as protein rather than scary fake meat, and beans and lentils are super cheap. I don’t make the desserts, though. I live in Victoria, BC so everyone I know has the [Rebar cookbook](http://www.amazon.com/Rebar-Audrey-Alsterburg-Wanda-Urbanowicz/dp/0968862306). The recipes are a bit fancy but when you master one, they’re incredibly delicious. The yam and pepita quesadillas are one of my favourite things on earth. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2010, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/17 "2010-08-06T03:40:48Z")
Agree with the Bittman recommendation. With Vegetarian for Everyone and Jaffrey, you’ve most of my vegetarian cookbooks. Just want to add the cookbooks for Greens restaurant and Millenium restaurant are quite good vegetarian cookbooks as well, if you already have the books in the first paragraph. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2010, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/18 "2010-08-06T06:53:16Z")
I cook a lot out of Jaffrey’s _World Vegetarian_. Over 650 recipes, and plenty of good ones. A lot of them are really quite simple and reasonably quick to prepare, and still taste great. ---
**Author:** ![cuberdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@cuberdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuberdon)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/19 "2010-08-06T18:57:42Z")
“Chez Panisse Vegetables”, while not strictly a vegetarian cookbook, has many pasta, risotto, and gratin dishes that could serve as a main course. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-vegetarian-cookbooks/549181/20 "2010-09-17T18:24:56Z")
To revive - I checked on “The Vegetarian Epicure” and found that a LOT of people hate the new edition because it’s all low fat and stuff. Well, fuck that - I got the old ones on [half.com](http://half.com), where they cost me less than a buck a volume plus shipping, and they are _awesome._ If nothing else, for the excellent technique explanations. We did try one that was a bust (a potato curry) but otherwise, all winners thus far.