My son who is 25 moved home recently and we are motivating each other to health and good nutrition. We are leaning towards the Vegetarian way of cooking- I would LOVE any sharing or discussion on good Vegetarian Cookbooks and ones you have used and like the recipes that are more simplistic for busy lifestyle. Don't want those that require tons of very odd ingredients and too many exotic spices. Any suggestions for comfortable transitioning to the Vegetarian lifestyle - Welcome!!  Thanks, Jody

Anyone have Marilyn Diamonds Cookbook- her first hardcover one- I am the only one wishlisting this one- I had a copy years ago and gave it away!

Jody, the absolute best vegetarian cookbook I have ever come across is the Moosewood Cookbook by Molly Katzen.  I have the "new" version, which I guess is somewhat revised from its original publication back in the 70s- mine was published in 2000.  When I make hummus at home, it is the one from this book.  The salads and soups are fantastic.  You would not be disappointed with this one- it's really great.

Lesley

Thanks Leslie- I really appreciate the suggestion and I will look for it at our library first and check it out! Sounds like a good one- I welcome sharing on good books for Vegetarian cooking- I remember a book from long ago that was a classic I think in nutritional eating- Diet for a Small Planet and also Laurel's Kitchen too was popular- has anyone used those books??

Thanks, Jody

Any other suggestions for the best vegetarian cookbooks that are best for those transitioning into this way of life with simple ingredients and easier preparations and pleasing main dishes-  share your favorite recipe names and what Cookbooks they are from. THANKS, Jody

Horn of the Moon Cookbook by Ginny Callan is wonderful.  Also the Vegetarian Times cookbooks are great as well.  Good luck!!

   A few comments:

I've been a lacto/ovo vegetarian since 1983, and there is a transitional stage that many vegetarians (including me) go through that may affect what kind of recipes you will like.  It's common for newbies to miss the taste and texture of animal fat, and be drawn to recipes that use a lot of eggs and cheese.  After a while, your palate changes, and those dishes seem too heavy.  While I still eat eggs and dairy, I don't eat nearly as much of either as I did at first., and even ended up going through my recipe box at one point and throwing away a bunch of cards that just didn't appeal to me anymore. The point of this is that some cookbooks, like Diet for a Small Planet and Laurel's Kitchen (I have both) may be more suited for people who have moved past this initial stage, as they have more "purely" vegetarian recipes.  They're good recipes, but they  just might not sound appealing to people that are just starting out.  Also, Diet for a Small Planet has a certain political/enviornmental slant, which is what most of the book is about, with only a limited section of recipes.

In general, pasta dishes (especially with whole-grain pasta) and soup are good choices, as they don't have the "weirdness factor" that turns some people off, and there are lots of good recipes in those categories (spinach lasagna, vegetable barley soup, etc).

I'm not a vegetarian, but bought a copy of Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone when I started looking for more meatless dishes.  It's been a wonderful resource, since I was not raised with a wide variety of vegetable choices, and I've found the recipes to be very reliable.

 I was going to recommend the Moosewood cookbooks, and saw that others beat me to it. They are outstanding, and there must be a half-dozen of them by now.

  One tip I've heard from other vegetarians: I've found it better not to try to "fake" things. Fake turkey, fake burgers, etc.,---although they have gotten MUCH better!---will never really taste like the real thing. I htink it's better to concentrate on things you like, and get a variety of dishes, rather than try to duplicate something that rarely works....

  And before I start a food fight, let me say that I  do like Boca burgers---but I like them for and of themselves, they still do not taste like a real burger.......!!

One of my favorites and I have quite a few is Vegetarian Times Cookbook.  Simple to make  but tasty recipes and a good variety to try out.  My favorite for kicking up a notch in complexity is The Savory Way.

One of the first books I requested here was American Wholefoods Cuisine by Nikki & David Goldbeck.  They have an updated version, but mine is the 1983 version.  I also like More-with-Less by Doris Longacre.