Whether or not your are a vegetarian, we could all do with having more vegetarian dishes in our repertoire. Here’s a tasty list of cookbooks to add to your holiday wishlists, courtesy of jeralyndwile.

jeralyndwile:

I am a vegetarian. Actually, I’m a passionate vegetarian. And its not just the fact that I’m an animal lover, its also because I’m a health nut. I’m not the type of vegetarian though that will try to convert you or cast you to hell because you enjoy REAL hamburgers and hot-dogs, I just won’t eat them with you. 
For those of you that have considered vegetarianism but it was too daunting, I’ve compiled a list of things to help make it a little bit easier.
For those of you that ARE vegetarians already but need some inspiration or further information, these resources should help you out.
And for those of you who aren’t vegetarian and don’t want to be, there are still some great resources in these books and delicious recipes.
See?  A little bit of everything for everyone.

1. Williams Sonoma, Food Made Fast Vegetarian Cookbook =  I picked this book up at Ross, a discount store, and absolutely love it. The book actually makes cooking vegetables easy and fun…and it turns regular side dishes into the main entree. That’s the thing about being vegetarian…You have to switch from the mentality of “the meat on my plate is the main attraction” to “vegetables are always the main attraction”. It can be difficult, but these recipes make it a lot easier and a lot more fun. The best part? The back of the book is full of pantry tips, kitchen organization ideas, and cooking advice.

2. The Vegetarian Bible = I also picked this book up at Ross…It has saved my life! It has delicious recipes and great kitchen tips. I absolutely love this book and it makes being a vegetarian simple and enjoyable.

3. Vegetarian Times Vegetarian Beginner’s Guide = This is for those of you that want to take the plunge into Veggie Land! It’ll tell you everything you need to know and make the transition very simple and easy to do.

4. Morning Star Burger Crumbles = Can’t live on just fruit and veggies? That’s fine…neither can I. I enjoy using mock-meat in all my dishes. These fake burger crumbles taste surprisingly real and are really enjoyable in all sorts of dishes: Breakfast burritos, chili, roasts, patties, etc. The problem is that mock meat was created for people to easily transition from eating meat to being vegetarian. The only problem is, people have enjoyed their fake burgers and nuggets so much that it has become a staple to use mock meat as a regular part of their diet. Unfortunately, I am guilty of this too…Once you use it, its really hard to phase it out. Try using it with only one meal a day or every other day to make sure you are really enjoying a “true” vegetarian diet.

5. Williams-Sonoma Vegetarian The Best of the Kitchen Library = Just another great resource for delicious recipe ideas and tips.

6. Being Vegetarian for Dummies = Out of all of these, this book is my favorite. I bought it for $3 at a discount store. I read the whole thing in a weekend and it was amazing. From recipes, to daily menu ideas, to grocery shopping lists, to reasonable explanations of how to politely decline meat…it has everything! Please read this…even if you aren’t a vegetarian.

7. Vegetarian Meals For People On-The-Go = I am on the go! And I need food! This book has the perfect solution: quick, delicious meals. Check it out :)

8. Vegetarian Cooking for Dummies = Just as wonderful as the other “dummy” books, you absolutely must read it. When I have my own wonderful kitchen someday (after these college years I’m trying to survive), I will consult this book as my bible. Yes, it really is that helpful, useful, and informative.

All are available on Amazon.com used or new.