Customer Reviews

Vegetarian Classics: 300 Essential Recipes for Every Course and Every Meal

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I am the author of VEGETARIAN CLASSICS and want to share my thoughts with you. Innovative cooking with lots of fresh vegetables and chic ingredients can be exciting and satisfying. But do you also crave old-time classics that have withstood the test of time and continue to give great pleasure and comfort? I do. A steaming bowl of garlicky lentil soup, a vegetable-filled lasagne, a perfectly balanced vegetable curry, and baked macaroni and smoked cheese with a crispy bread crumb crust are just a few examples of dishes I always want as part of my repertoire, no matter what the current food trend. These tried and true classics, along with some delightful variations on these favorite dishes, make up this essential book. I provide "tips" after each recipe to ensure you'll have success with each dish, and there is a comprehensice Glossary of Ingredients to answer any of your shopping questions. VEGETARIAN CLASSICS is the ideal cookbook for the novice who is learning about the world of meatless cooking, as well as the sophisticated cook who expects full-flavored, fresh food made with the best ingredients. Whether you're a vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, or dedicated meat eater who likes to eat meatless meals a few times a week, this book will provide you with the best of vegetarian cooking, the beloved classics. In essence, this is a book about real food for real people.

I am an avid fan of Jeanne Lemlin's and own all of her cookbooks. I learned to cook from her first book which is falling apart from so much use. Her latest book, Vegetarian Classics, is one you should own regardless of whether or not you are a vegetarian. It is just wicked good food. I made the Thai noodle salad and it was as good as any from my Oriental cookbooks, with no hard-to-find ingredients. Jeanne makes certain her clear and easy recipes work, letting her family and friends be her judges. Hurry and order this book so you won't eat another meal of bland, boring food.

If you don't own all five of Jeanne Lemlin's cookbooks like I do, this is a magnificent place to start. Here, Lemlin offers an incredible array of vegetarian dishes that will please everyone from the died-in-the-wool vegan to the meat lover. The secret behind this wonderful collection of recipes is, like it's predecessors, Lemlin's staunch commitment to GREAT TASTING vegetarian cooking. And "Vegetarian Classics" goes even a step beyond her previous offerings by giving us everything we need in one comprehensive book. From her mouth-watering renditions of the classics to out-of-this-world soups, salads, pastas and much more...this book is, simply put, an instant classic. It is the best and most versatile cookbook I have ever owned.

I was looking for a vegetarian cookbook that would help me to incorporate some meatless meals into my diet, and I bought this new offering by Lemlin. Not only have I found countless recipes to jazz up my stalled repertoire of menus, but they are all relatively easy and most importantly taste great. I love the chapter on "the basics" which includes recipes for pesto and salsa (two of my summer favorites), and marvel at the soup chapter which is amazingly inventive and extensive. Actually, one of the best features of this book is that it has 300+ recipes, but is very user friendly. You can find almost anything you are looking for in this book. It's also perfect as a gift for just about anyone (fathers, newlyweds, new homeowners etc.) Vegetarian Classics is a book I am sure I will use for years to come. I give it a 5 Star rating!

I have all of her cookbooks. I like them because they taste good and are simple. These are taste that grown-ups enjoy. As well as children. With all of her cookbooks I think she has made and worked on all of the receipes. Some cookbooks I know they couldn't made the receipes just from the taste. This book is the one I gave for Holiday Gifts and Weddings. The soups are wonderful in this book. I have made them all and everyone loves them. If I had to grab one cookbook and the house was on fire this is it.

I cannot say enough good things about this cookbook. I think it would be safe to say that I have close to 30 vegetarian cookbooks, and this is the only one I've been satisfied with. I've made close to 20 recipes out of this cookbook so far, and EVERY single one has been a hit---not only with me but with my non-vegetarian husband. It is SO hard to find a vegetarian cookbook that actually has tasty recipes made from ingredients that are easily accessible, and this book offers just that.
The best thing about this book is that I am now willing to make recipes out of it that wouldn't otherwise sound appealing to me, since I have no doubt that they will be delicious nonetheless. I would not hesitate to try a new recipe from this cookbook while serving guests, either, which I can't say about any of my other books.
My only complaint, if I had to make one, would be that there aren't any recipes that use seitan, which is one of my favorite vegetarian staples. I don't know if any of Lemlin's other cookbooks (which I now plan to purchase) make up for that, but it's only a minor complaint, since all the recipes are so good anyway.
In sum, if you are a vegetarian, or even if you aren't, buy this cookbook NOW! I'm so glad that I happened upon it---it has really energized my cooking.

'Vegetarian Classics' was my first cookbook by Jeanne Lemlin, author of 'Quick Vegetarian Pleasures.' This is one of the best vegetarian cookbooks I've bought. I use 'Vegetarian Classics' along side my 'Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook.' There's 300 great recipes for every course and meal. I find this differs from other cookbooks which has interesting introduction and history of vegeterian origins. Did you know that St. Franics of Assisi, Leonardo da Vinci, Percy B. Shelley and George Bernard Shaw were all vegetarians? There's an alphabetical list of food ingredients used in the recipes from barley to wheat berries. It explains what each food is and it's use.

The book is easy to follow as every food is put in it's own category starting with the basics and appetizers to everything from soups, salads, breads, side dishes, all types of pies, pastas, stovetop cooking and desserts. In the back there is a handy menu layout to give you ideas for casual, elegant, summer and holiday meals. In each section Lemlin has side notes and colored blocks of additional information and tips like for perfect brown rice, about olives with an excellent recipe for marinated olives, frittatas, cooking beans, choosing & preparing potatoes, successful puff pastry tarts, cookies and polenta are just a few of the items you'll find in the book. Most of the recipes are simple and easy to follow instructions. I love the guide to light breads, flaky scones and tender muffins. The masala chai is heavenly and the mixed berry smoothie yummy. Even if you're a semi-vegetarian or not, and just looking for new ways to cook your veggies this book is excellent!

I received this cookbook as a gift a couple of years ago and it turned out to be one of the best gifts I have ever received. This cookbook is amazing. Mine is so worn from using it constantly! Every single recipe is amazing with so much flavor. You won't even notice there is no meat. I love this book so much that I have bought it as a gift multiple times.

I own tens of vegetarian cookbooks, but the one that I depend on is Jeanne Lemlin's Vegetarian Classics. There isn't a bad recipe in the book! You can open the book to any page and find a recipe that is bound to make your "favorites" list. In the back of the book, Lemlin has conveniently made a menu guide, so that whether you're cooking for company or cooking casually, you'll know the perfect set of dishes to pair together. Many recipes include a "tip" section, that either allows you to substitute ingredients in the recipe and customize the flavors to your tastes, or gives you advice to make the recipe a no-brainer. I also love the stories that accompany the recipes. I can't commend Lemlin enough for her thoughtful cookbook! (The only negative comments I have are that there are no pictures in this book and some of the recipes are higher in fat than I'd like to consume.) I can't wait for her next cookbook!

I became a vegitarian five years ago, and since that time have been searching for an adaquate cook book to vary my diet more than cold cereal and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Until coming across Lemin's book I had thought my search was in vain. The other books I looked at were full of ingredients I had never heard of, and could hardly pronounce, but Lemin has written recipes that are satisfying and practical. The items I have made from this book have even been a hit with my non-vegitarian family. All in all I would say this is the best cookbook ever written.