First of all, this is not a post about the pros/cons or ethical/eco/health issues of vegetarianism.
For my own reasons, and after one failed attempt a few years ago, I’m again going vegetarian, perhaps even vegan (I love cheese, but my tummy doesn’t!).
I’ve been meat-free for a few months now and things are going great. I’m feeling awesome! My complexion has changed for the better, I’ve dropped a few pounds (I’m not trying to loose weight, but I did have a couple pounds of fat that I needed to rid my body of if I wanted to be healthy), and even the flesh under my fingernails looks nice and rosy and pink. And I’m full of energy!
The main reason my former attempt at vegetarianism failed was lack of yummy recipes and knowledge of meat-free alternatives available.
So here is where I ask for your help and expertise…
I’m looking for the best, tastiest vegetarian and vegan recipes, products, and resources. I’m already a huge fan of Sarah Kramer’s cookbooks, and am familiar with sites like VegCooking.com.
But where else should I look? What other delicious, meat-less food should I try? Any tasty tips for a successful conversion from omnivore to herbivore?
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16 comments
One of my favourite vegetarian cookbooks is How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, by Mark Bittman. It's just full of good ideas, and not too expensive for the huge cookbook it is.
Posted by Allison
April 24, 2009, 10:01 PM
- the Rebar Cookbook
- smittenkitchen.com (not vegetarian, but she makes lots of veggie dishes)
- veggiemealplans.com
- Anything Moosewood
Posted by Kat
April 24, 2009, 10:04 PM
If you haven't already, I recommend embracing the ancient grain QUINOA. Not only is it cheap and easy to make, it's a complete protein chock full of essential amino acids and vitamins!
If you are looking for cheese substitutes, I don't recommend the vegan processed cheeses out there unless you get desperate. Nut-based pesto can be a good alternative in sandwich spreads and pasta sauces when you are craving something a little cheesy. If making it at home, use raw nuts/seeds (i.e. pine nut, cashew, sunflower) that have been soaked for a while in warm water first.
If you love cheese and don't want to part ways, love it in small doses and try goat cheese which is easier to digest!
make the kitchen your laboratory and have fun with it!
Posted by heather
April 24, 2009, 10:21 PM
Check out any of Isa Moskowitz's cookbooks (the veganomicon, vegan with a vengeance, and vegan cupcakes take over the world are all great). A lot of her recipes are available here: http://www.theppk.com/recipes/
Posted by alix
April 25, 2009, 12:09 AM
Everything written by Isa Moskowitz (Vegan With a Vengeance and Veganomicon are AMAZING, as is the cupcakes book for potlucks and desserts).
Also, all of the Sarah Kramer cookbooks. Theppk, and vegweb.com .
Also, standard recipe sources (food network website, magazines, and LCBO Food and Drink site can often be easily modded to be veg or vegan.
Posted by SEZ
April 25, 2009, 9:52 AM
Lately I've been obsessed with the recipes (and photos) at VeganYumYum (http://veganyumyum.com/).
Posted by Nicole
April 25, 2009, 10:55 AM
^^^She just made the vegan pancakes from this site, and they were fantastic! Best pancakes I've had in the past decade of eating vegan.
VeganYumYum is a horrible name, but is a great site.
My best tip for learning to cook veg, along with the great advice above (I like Heather's tips about quinoa and seed/nut pastes) is to incorporate a lot of fresh herbs and strong liquid flavours into your cooking, such as wines or coconut milk, will make strong flavours without the meat fat. Kale or chard sauteed with white wine, salt/pepper, garlic and lemon juice is an easy and incredible side that doesn't get boring. Adding boiled French lentils to shiitake mushrooms sauteed with onion, garlic, lots of fresh thyme and red wine cooked down (and maybe some broth) is rich tasting, meaty, and full of protein. It's all about figuring out how to make strong flavours that you enjoy so that you don't feel stuck eating food that tastes like bland hippie staples.
Posted by Matt
April 25, 2009, 12:54 PM
The book I refer to as my "bible" is Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison. It not only has tons of great recipes for vegetarian and vegan meals, but also has an encyclopedic approach to vegetables as well as other foods, explaining everything from how to choose your veggies and store them to useful recipes and tips. It's an excellent book and I highly, highly recommend it.
For reference material, I like Becoming Vegetarian by Vesanto Melina and Brenda Davis, as well as the companion cookbook, Cooking Vegetarian. These have tons of nutritional information and are great for learning how to safely and healthily make the transition from an omnivorous to an herbivorous diet.
Finally, since you are from Toronto, you could always visit Fresh by Juice for Life and pick up their cookbook. It's plum full of tasty ideas. I have used their tofu steak marinade for tons of delicious meals; in fact, I am about to marinate some of that tofu right now for dinner tomorrow night!
Posted by Stark
April 25, 2009, 3:26 PM
vegweb.com is my hero
Posted by Jillian
April 25, 2009, 3:39 PM
Wow! Thank you sooo much everyone! I can't wait to go through all this info and start trying out some new delicious recipes.
I'm determined to do this properly (balanced nutrition, variety of meals, etc.), so the resources are really appreciated.
:) D.
Posted by D. Cole
April 25, 2009, 5:39 PM
A really good vegan cookbook is called Food's that don't bite back. Best recipes ever!
Posted by Alanna
April 26, 2009, 10:52 AM
The ppk, as others have mentioned is just wonderful. You should definitely run out and get Isa Chandra Moscowitz's whole repertoire. Vegan with a Vegeance and Veganomicon are phenomenal. Candle Cafe's coobook has some beautiful recipes that are a bit more complex but usually worth it.
Posted by Jeani
April 27, 2009, 6:37 PM
the guardian uk has a reg column, the new vegetarian.
Posted by L
April 28, 2009, 8:14 PM
Some other sites that have not been mentioned are:
http://vegandad.blogspot.com/
http://www.fatfreevegan.com/
Posted by Laura Anne
April 30, 2009, 4:21 PM
Such awesome info! Thanks everyone!
Posted by D. Cole
April 30, 2009, 10:45 PM
I love Vegan Planet by Robin Robertson. I bought it when I turned vegan back in 2003 and use it every week. http://www.globalvegankitchen.com/
Posted by Samantha
May 21, 2009, 8:11 PM
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