Vegetarian Cook Books - How to Choose a Good Vegetarian Cookbook

Are you looking for the first time to cook something vegetarian? In this case I would suggest to look for cookbooks with the "quick vegetarian recipes" in the title. This will help you to get started, and make quick meals, that will not take a lot of time and are simple to make. If starting I would also suggest to see if they have a good introductory about vegetarianism, that helps a lot to get you into the right mindset.

For all others, a good vegetarian cookbook has to have some nice pictures; I want to see how the meal looks like that I am going to make. I also look if by most of the recipes you have ingredients that you can find any were. Not that you have to go to India to get something you need for your recipe. Usually though in every big city you will find everything you need, even to make the most extravagant meal. You might have to look for some specialty stores, like Indian or Chinese shops. If you never have been in one of those stores; take a look, it's amazing what you will find there. The first vegetarian cookbook that I got, was a book with all these credentials. Although it was a cook book made up of Indian recipes, I found every thing in the shops in my neighborhood. At the time I was living in Vienna, Austria, and that was about 20 years ago.

Something else what I find important, well I guess, everybody would find that important, is easy to follow instructions. Seems logical, but there are some books out there were you just wonder how they made it into the bookstores. Sometimes the authors just assume you know how to do certain things; like how to make tofu... By the way, you can make your own tofu, but just to save you some time; just buy it in the store. I like to keep things simple.

So to recap, what does a good vegetarian cookbook (Yes, also a vegan cookbook), have to have?

1. Easy to follow instructions
2. Pictures
3. Easy to find ingredients
4. A good introductory.

That's basically it. If you take these factors into consideration you should not have any problems finding a good vegetarian (or vegan) cookbook.

Chris Hergenroeder has been a vegetarian since 20 years. He is very passionate about everything that has to do with vegetarianism. As Albert Einstein once said; "Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." Get two free "starter kits" at this site; http://vegetariancookbooks.biz/healthy-vegetarian-diet

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Moosewood Cookbook Review - A Vegetarian Must-Have

I was introduced to this gem of a cookbook many years ago at a friend's house. I love to browse through people's cookbook collections - there's always at least a recipe or two that's just begging to be discovered - and I happened upon a simple looking book. The cover was a bit tattered from wear and tear over the years, which is always the first book you should reach for - clearly there was a reason my friend used this book so much.

It was called "Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home: Fast and Easy Recipes for Any Day", and I've had it ever since (I had to buy my own, of course. My friend refused to part with his copy).

First off - and most importantly - the recipes are completely delicious. They are all rooted in simplicity - basic ingredients, basic preparation. This makes it a very accessible book, one that a beginner cook can easily grasp on to. Most recipes consist of a few vegetables, a fat, and maybe a carb base. There is a recipe for Cream of Spinach Soup that is delicately simple, but also unique. There's also the "Tomatican", made with tomatoes, corn, and lima beans. I could go on, but I don't want to spoil anything.

All of these come from the chef Mollie Katzen's restaurant, Moosewood, in Ithaca, NY. It's quite a gift she has bestowed upon us, as many chefs are secretive about their recipes. This is what makes this cookbook so great: she wants you to become a better cook, and to cook more for yourself.

Beyond the intrinsic value of a book filled with good recipes, the book is, in and of itself, a beautiful work of art. Every page, recipe, and word is written by hand. She's illustrated everything herself. It feels less like a ploy to make money and boost numbers, and more like a labor of love. Every page is different, and one could spend hours just looking over the way in which she lays out text and image, and how they play and conflict with one another.

This book is highly recommended to anyone who is looking to expand their culinary horizons, while not busting the bank or burning too much time in the process. Specifically, vegetarians will enjoy this cookbook, as it offers a whole plethora of ways to utilize veggies in unique ways, giving them new flavors and textures that you may have thought were not possible before. Fair warning to those who are offended by meat, though, that there are a few recipes that involve fish. Simply thumb past these ones, though, and enjoy all the knowledge, useful tips, and delicious recipes that Moosewood has to offer.

Visit VegOnline.org for more on vegetarianism. 100's of articles highlight issues and information regarding vegetarian lifestyle, nutrition, health, sustainability, and much, much more!

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Vegetarian Cookbooks - 7 Things All Great Vegetarian Cookbooks Must Have

In order for vegetarian cookbooks to be great I believe they need to have seven very important ingredients...

1. Large colorful photos of the finished recipes - I don't know about you but one of my favorite past times is laying around on the sofa or a deck chair and flicking through vegetarian cookbooks and magazines looking at photos and getting inspired to cook one that looks great.

2. Measurements in cups and spoons as opposed to weights - nothing frustrates me more than going to cook a recipe and having to weigh 10g of this and 100g of that. I find it so much easier when recipes say 1 cup of flour or 1/2 cup of Tahini or a handful of broccoli.

3. Small ingredients lists - I love cooking and I do enjoy cooking elaborate recipes but most of the time I want recipes that can be cooked with the least amount of time and fuss. I love vegetarian cookbooks that have recipes with ingredient lists of no more than 10 ingredients, preferably with just 6, and quick and easy steps in the cookery method.

4. Breakfast, lunch/dinner and sweets - I'm not into entree, starters, mains and desert type vegetarian cookbooks. I'm about being practical, we eat breakfast lunch and dinner every day and most of us have a sweet tooth so I like vegetarian cookbooks that have a table of contents categorized into breakfast, lunch/dinner (most vegetarian meals can be either lunch or dinner) and sweets.

5. I also like reading short notes about where the author found the inspiration for the dish. I think it personalizes the cookbook and makes a very interesting read.

6. A good index - Recipes need to be listed by more than just the name of the dish. French Fries need to be listed under "F" for French Fries as well as "P" for potatoes. By listing recipes under their name and the main vegetable makes it easy to search for something to make with the fresh seasonal produce you just picked from the garden or purchased from the local farmers market. It also helps at the end of the week when you are wondering how to use up the left over vegetables in the fridge.

7. I also like vegetarian cookbooks that are categorized into seasons. After all, that is the way nature intended us to eat. Fresh seasonal produce is the healthiest and most environmental way to eat.

Adam has been a vegetarian for 19 years, is a qualified chef and specializes in helping people live a healthier, more compassionate and more sustainable life via vegetarian cooking classes, vegetarian cookbooks and keynote speeches. You can check out the Vegetarian Cookbooks Adam recommends by visiting his new Vegetarian Cookbook website.

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