A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

Pretty please?

I'm looking to make the shift to a primarily plant-based lifestyle. Not necessarily vegan or vegetarian, but plant-based, whole foods. I know there are scores of lovely, appetizing, yummy cookbooks out there that feature veggie meals. But they all seem to assume three things: 1. you can cook, 2. you have lots of cash, and 3. your family loves ethnic foods. :bag

(1.)I can't cook for squat. Seriously. If it involves 45 minutes of prep and an actual "technique" of some sort, I'm gonna ruin it. Really. (2.) I know meat costs more on some level, especially the "good" stuff, but I can use very little and still have a meat-centered meal and save money. I can't do that with veggie meals...and I can't afford to buy obscure vegetables and grains at Whole Foods. (3.) I like Indian flavors and such, but my meat-and-potatoes dh? Notsomuch. I really really want to make this shift as natural as possible, no faked "meats", just adding more and more meat-free meals per week without them really noticing or making a big deal out of it. No recipes with six kazillion ingredients and requiring a refined palate and an expensive red wine. ;) The best success I've had thus far has been de-beefing my Mexican-style stuff...more black beans, lots of taco seasoning. But we want cheese with that, thank you. :shifty And "rainbow nachos", (red tomato, orange pinto beans, yellow corn, green ortegas, "blue" black beans, "purple" olives, served on chips with cheese :yum!) while tasty, won't go over for more than two meals a week, kwim?

I need staples. Simple, yummy meals. Stuff my kids (read: dh) will eat. That's easy to make and doesn't confuse me while grocery shopping...

Asking too much? :(

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

Do you like using a slowcooker? Fresh From The Vegetarian Slow Cooker has some fantastic recipes and they're all dead easy. A few more gourmet things but mostly just good whole foods made into soups, stews, etc. I'll try to think of some more...

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

Here is my favorite one. http://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-Cla...8273229&sr=1-4

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

I have the crockpot book; it is great! You might also check out Moosewood's Simple Suppers.

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

:ty! I've put the Classics book on hold at my library, and I'm looking into the slowcooker book. I love me my crockpot. :giggle

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

Super Baby Food has a guide in the back about how to recognize when each veggie is fresh and ripe, and basic directions on how to bake, boil, steam, etc. I haven't had as much luck with the recipes, but then again, I didn't try very many. The author is a vegetarian with twins, so I believe the recipes are pretty much all plant-based, and hopefully geared toward being simple quick things a mom can accomplish. Usually available at the library.

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

I liked "The Occasional Vegetarian". :)

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

Also, this book was helpful.
http://www.amazon.com/Better-Than-Pe...8277292&sr=1-2

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

ROFL...when you enter "better than peanut" into your library's online search engine, you get some strange stuff... :shifty

Thanks, Ladies! Keep 'em coming. I don't think I'm the only one who can use these. :)

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

The McDougall Quick and Easy book by Dr John McDougall. Lots of opening cans and cutting veggies. That's it. I LOVE it and use it all the time. Its vegan and low-fat.

Jen D.

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

My absolute favorite veggie cookbook is a vegan cookbook but it teaches you how to do everything it's asking you to do. I got it at a used book store and would probably check half.com if you're ordering it online. The American Vegetarian Cookbook from the Fit for Life Kitchen. My first vegan cookbook when I was only eating side salad and deep fried veggies ;)

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

:popcorn

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

This thread rocks, I just put ALL of those on my library hold list and the 2 that my library didn't have, I request that they buy it or do an interlibrary loan. :rockon

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

Small world...I just finished reading a profile on/interview with him. :tu Sounds perfect for me. :giggle

Re: A veggie cookbook that is *REALLY* for beginners and non-gourmets?
 

:giggle Put this one on hold, too. My friendly local librarians are going to laugh at me. :)