The Big Book of Vegetarian: More Than 225 Recipes for Breakfasts, Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, Main Dishes, Sides, Breads, and Desserts (Paperback)

~ (Author) "WHAT you eat in the morning may depend on how much time you have..." (more)
Key Phrases: scant tablespoon active dry yeast, plain soymilk, greased plastic wrap, Rich Vegetable Broth, Middle Eastern (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This volume, part of Chronicle’s "Big Book" series, offers easy—if not particularly groundbreaking—vegetarian dishes, ranging from filling breakfast breads and fritattas to familiar, homey desserts. Many of the selections, while tasty, lean toward the crunchy whole-grain school of vegetarian cooking; dishes like the assertively hearty Wheat Berry Waldorf and the Wild and Brown Rice Pilaf bring to mind folk music, morning glory muffins and organic food collectives. However, other dishes are decidedly more sophisticated; the Tomato Basil Galette is seductive when made with ripe tomatoes, and Chickpea Burgers with Tahini Dressing are fragrant with cumin, garlic and lemon zest. And even though many of the offerings aren’t eye-opening (what vegetarian doesn’t already know how to make pasta and black bean soup?) there are several good, unexpected wheat-free and vegan choices. Vegan desserts are especially well represented, with offerings like Baked Apples with Walnuts, Ginger-Poached Pears and Chocolate Majesty Cake made with silken tofu. Finally, while the back-to-basics layout of the book includes no pictures, the step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and certain to engage even the most kitchen-phobic vegetarian.
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Product Description

An essential cookbook for vegetarians and vegans, this is the latest in the best-selling Big Book series. And you don't even have to be vegetarian -- just hungry -- to enjoy it. With the abundance of fresh, interesting vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes found in today's markets, variety is now the spice of life for vegetarians too. This fabulous cookbook, overflowing with more than 225 recipes for cooking healthfully and creatively, is a one-stop guide to making the most of seasonal produce. From Eggs Florentine and Parmesan Pesto Sticks with Red Pepper Aioli to Thai Coconut Curry and Saffron Risotto Primavera, the recipes here are hearty and satisfying. This is the best kind of food -- great for everyday and sophisticated enough to please all palates. Add a chapter on meal planning, including handy sample menus, plus sources for unusual ingredients and this big book becomes a big must-have for any home cook, whatever kind of --vore they may be.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (December 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811841162
• ISBN-13: 978-0811841160
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 8.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #612,403 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thumbs UP, September 13, 2005

By	Ellen (Baltimore) - See all my reviews

This is one of my favorite cookbooks. I have been vegetarian for many years and I am an avid cook, and this book has provided nothing but perfect food, without meat, every time I have used it. The salads are great, the breakfast foods are great, the entrees are great. You name it, in this book, it's all good.
The recipes are well-tested and well-written recipes. A must have.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent modern American vegetarian cookbook for home, December 12, 2005

By	shoebox36 (New York City) - See all my reviews

I received this book as a present, and I am very pleasantly surprised by this book. This book contains modern and creative twists on traditional American dishes as well as other food of ethnic origin making its way into mainstream. All the dishes I've made from it have turned out to be very delicious, the steps are simple to follow, and most of the ingredients are available at well-stocked supermakets. I was surprised how many things I used to have to buy can be made so easy with so little time or effort. This was what I had hoped my Moosewood cookbook would be, but this book actually succeeds because of it is more focused, placing emphasis on beauty through simplicity rather than purely just inventiveness.
Another part I really like about this book is that it actually contain a decent breakfast section. From now on I no longer have to rely on omlettes or toast for breakfast, but instead I can have banana french toast, different muffins, etc.
The recipes here are very straightforward, so they are suitable for most levels of cooks. The only possible drawback is that there are no pictures (though you won't need them), and there are no directions on preparation techniques, so I would suggest this book for those with at least some rudimentary kitchen skills.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great addition to your cookbook collection!, August 16, 2005

By	Helen (British Columbia) - See all my reviews

This is an excellent cookbook, lots of variety, well-written, visually pleasing...definitely a good choice for anyone who appreciates easy-to-prepare, delicious recipes.