About this pathfinder…

Recently there’s been great interest in vegetarian and vegan cooking. Whether it’s due to health or environmental concerns or just a way to bust out of a cooking rut many cooks are turning to vegetarian and vegan cooking. Luckily with the growing number of farmer’s markets and organic produce becoming more available in grocery stores it is easier than ever to get your hands on great fruits and veggies. This pathfinder is intended for cooks of all skill levels interested in vegetarian and vegan cooking resources in a public library setting.

The pathfinder is set up to move from general to more specific resources with roughly the first half highlighting vegetarian resources and the second highlighting specifically vegan resources.

In these resources vegetarian cooking excludes meat (except fish, occasionally) but includes dairy products (butter, milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.), and eggs. Vegan cooking uses no animal products.

The pathfinder is searchable using the box provided at the right of the screen. Or you may click on a tag at the end of each entry to find other resources that share the same tag. Tags are self-explanatory with breakfast/brunch and dessert tags included to highlight the fact that the resource goes beyond standard side and main dishes.

About.com: Vegetarian Food

http://vegetarian.about.com/

This is a great comprehensive website that covers everything from going vegetarian to hosting vegetarians at an omnivorous dinner. Topics covered include nutritional information, meat and dairy substitutes, food shopping tips, techniques, videos, and many, many searchable recipes. A good resource for anyone interested in vegetarianism and vegetarian cooking from the very beginner to the experienced meat-eating cook hosting a vegetarian Thanksgiving.

Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

by Deborah Madison

Considered the Joy of Cooking of vegetarian cookbooks this book offers over 750 pages of over 1400 easy to follow and tasty recipes. Good introductory chapters on stocking the pantry and cooking and seasoning tips help the novice get started. A good resource for cooks of all experience levels looking for a comprehensive guide to vegetarian cooking.

How To Cook Everything Vegetarian: Simple Meatless Recipes for Great Food

by Mark Bittman

New York Times food writer Mark Bittman’s clear, easy to read book is a comprehensive look at vegetarian cooking. Truly a tome at over 900 pages it’s broken down into sections each containing clear black and white illustrations of ingredients and techniques. With recipes from all types of cuisine and advice on making meat substitutes, spice mixes, and even pickled ginger this is a good resource for both beginning and experienced cooks.

On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen

by Harold McGee

This is the ultimate food and science guide coming in at over 800 pages and while not strictly vegetarian the majority of the book deals with vegetarian friendly foods. Clearly written and illustrated this book makes complex science accessible to the home cook with each chapter tackling a different type of food. A good resource for cooks of any experience level who want to learn the science behind food preparation which can be valuable knowledge when substituting vegetarian and vegan foods in non-veg recipes.

Vegetarian Times

http://www.vegetariantimes.com/

Available in both online and printed formats this food and lifestyle magazine published nine times a year is dedicated to vegetarianism, eco-friendliness, and cruelty-free living. The magazine profiles interesting people and vegetarian products (like leather free shoes). Each issue contains a variety of seasonal recipes with various stories highlighting different recipes on certain themes (cream-free soups or grapefruits). A good resource for cooks who would like non-preachy vegetarian lifestyle tips to go along with beautifully photographed, tasty recipes.

Simply in Season

by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert

While not strictly vegetarian the majority of recipes in this book are vegetarian or vegan. Organized based on season each section offers recipes on all types of dishes from breakfast to desserts. The book also offers a guide to fruits and vegetables, a resource list for hard to find ingredients, and a special canning section with the summer recipes. A good resource for those with some cooking experience interested in recipes that take full advantage of fresh, local produce no matter the time of year.

101 Cookbooks

http://www.101cookbooks.com/index.html

Cookbook author Heidi Swanson highlights recipes; techniques; and her favorite chefs, cookbooks, and cookbook authors in her blog. Covering vegan and vegetarian food from appetizers to desserts Swanson’s posts include seasonal recipes and beautiful photographs of the dishes. Swanson also enjoys reworking bad for you foods like fudge into something just as tasty but a bit less gut busting. Regularly updated this blog is a good resource for cooks of all levels interested in delicious, seasonal recipes.

Veginity

http://www.youtube.com/user/veginity

Australian chef Mark Senn created this YouTube channel to showcase various vegetarian and vegan recipes. In videos generally clocking in under 10 minutes Senn demonstrates how to make dishes from vegan sausage to double chocolate cake. There are approximately 40 videos many dealing with ethnic dishes. This is a great resource for cooks who learn by watching and cooks looking to tackle some more challenging, ethnic dishes.

Indian Vegetarian Cooking Sampler

starring Marina Antony

This DVD contains 11 recipes for classic vegetarian Indian dishes from aloo gobi to palak paneer prepared by native chefs with English interpreters. The chefs offers clear tips and easy to follow techniques for authentic Indian cuisine. This is a good resource for cooks interested in but intimidated by Indian cooking who want to watch and learn authentic recipes from Indian chefs.

Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook – Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero

by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero

Coming in at nearly 300 pages this is a comprehensive tome of a cookbook covering vegan dishes from breakfast to dessert. Cleanly designed and thoughtfully laid out with a few color photographs this book also has instructional sections on stocking a vegan pantry, an equipment guide, a glossary of terms, and how to guides on cooking vegetables and grains. A great resource for beginner cooks just getting started and experienced cooks alike.

Vegan Brunch: Homestyle Recipes Worth Waking Up For–From Asparagus Omelets to Pumpkin Pancakes

by Isa Chandra Moskowitz

With a fun writing style, over 250 pages, and color photos this book covers sweet and savory recipes for every brunch and breakfast standard. It offers easy to follow, foolproof recipes with introductions that define special ingredients and how to find them, plus a guide to setting up a brunch party. A good resource for cooks with some experience looking for the be all end all breakfast and brunch guide.

Vegan Lunch Box: 130 Amazing, Animal-Free Lunches Kids and Grown-Ups Will Love!

by Jennifer McCann

Finally a book devoted to the sack lunch! It’s broken into two parts with part one laying out menus of suggested lunches with tips and definitions of terms and part two containing the recipes. Covering every lunch making scenario from make ahead to quick and easy the book also offers a special index of allergen free recipes. A good resource for cooks of any experience level looking for some fresh ideas for lunch for their kids or themselves.

The Chicago Diner Cookbook

by Chef Jo A. Kaucher

Based on the offerings of the popular Chicago vegetarian restaurant of the same name this slim book reworks greasy, delicious diner food into vegetarian and vegan recipes. This book is packed full of kid and family friendly recipes from French toast to oatmeal cookies. With a glossary of terms but no photographs this is not a book to learn to cook by but it is a good resource for cooks with some experience who still want to enjoy yummy diner foods but made from vegan and vegetarian ingredients.

The Vegan Table: 200 Unforgettable Recipes for Entertaining Every Guest at Every Occasion

by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

A cookbook devoted to cooking for guests each chapter covers a different scenario from a romantic dinner for two to a formal sit down meal for 10. Recipes are organized seasonally with notes identifying recipes that are soy free and/or gluten free. A beautiful book with lots of color photographs and helpful tips and trivia sprinkled throughout this is a good resource for more experienced cooks looking for sleek vegan meals to impress company.

Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World

by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero

A cupcake book for anyone who thinks a vegan or a gluten free diet means no more sweets. The easy to follow recipes in this slim book range from classic chocolate and vanilla to margarita and green tea flavored cakes (and frosting too, of course). A good resource for beginners and experienced cooks alike offering ingredient and shopping guides, tools and techniques guides, decorating tips, and a troubleshooting section in case the cupcakes don’t come out right.