Fans pick 100 books like Positively Vegetarian

By Rachel Demuth,

Here are 100 books that Positively Vegetarian fans have personally recommended if you like Positively Vegetarian. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Naturally Sweet Food in Jars: 100 Preserves Made with Coconut, Maple, Honey, and More

Veronika Sophia Robinson Author Of The Mystic Cookfire: The Sacred Art of Creating Food to Nurture Friends and Family

From my list on conscious plant-based cookery.

Why am I passionate about this?

Veronika Sophia Robinson has eaten a plant-based diet for forty-eight years and knows what healthy and delicious vegan and vegetarian food should taste like. She has had extensive experience in cooking for others whether around her kitchen table or in a yurt with no electricity feeding up to fifty families for five days (for many years). The Mystic Cookfire is a tome of over 400 pages. It is an expression of her deep love and respect for food, conscious cookery, and intentional eating. Her second recipe book Love From My Kitchen is a collection of vegan, gluten-free recipes based on the four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. She’s delighted that her granddaughter is a fourth-generation vegetarian.

Veronika's book list on conscious plant-based cookery

Veronika Sophia Robinson Why did Veronika love this book?

As a lover of preserving the abundance of produce from my orchard and garden, this book has proved to be just what I was looking for: LESS SUGAR! It is ideally suited to the health conscious preserver who enjoys inventive and interesting recipes. Cleverly organised by sweetener: coconut sugar, maple syrup, honey, dried fruits, juices, agave, it’s a fantastic mix of interesting flavour combinations, manageable batches, and awareness of the seasons.

By Marisa McClellan,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Naturally Sweet Food in Jars as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Preserves You Love, SWEETER THAN EVER After years of addressing questions reducing sugar, substituting sugar, and leaving it out altogether, accomplished canner and author Marisa McClellan began to rejigger her recipes, helping her home canners enjoy the flavors of the season without the refined sugars. The result is Naturally Sweet Food in Jars , preserving in the tenor of today's health-conscious audience. . The inventive spreads, dips, pickles, and whole fruits in McClellan's third preserving book use only unrefined sweeteners like maple sugar and syrup, coconut sugar, dates, agave, honey, and dried fruits and juices,and less of them. The…


Book cover of Vegan Cheese: Simple, Delicious Plant-Based Recipes

Veronika Sophia Robinson Author Of The Mystic Cookfire: The Sacred Art of Creating Food to Nurture Friends and Family

From my list on conscious plant-based cookery.

Why am I passionate about this?

Veronika Sophia Robinson has eaten a plant-based diet for forty-eight years and knows what healthy and delicious vegan and vegetarian food should taste like. She has had extensive experience in cooking for others whether around her kitchen table or in a yurt with no electricity feeding up to fifty families for five days (for many years). The Mystic Cookfire is a tome of over 400 pages. It is an expression of her deep love and respect for food, conscious cookery, and intentional eating. Her second recipe book Love From My Kitchen is a collection of vegan, gluten-free recipes based on the four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. She’s delighted that her granddaughter is a fourth-generation vegetarian.

Veronika's book list on conscious plant-based cookery

Veronika Sophia Robinson Why did Veronika love this book?

Whether for reasons of ethics or health, more and more people are looking for dairy cheese substitutes. Commercial versions are often poor imitations. This book is like winning cheese lotto! There are 60 plant-based cheeses (no easy feat) made using vegetables, tofu, seeds and nuts, ranging from firm to sharp, creamy to mild. These recipes draw on only natural ingredients and techniques. You can create the perfect cheese platter with spreads, sauces, sprinkles, block and wheel cheeses, soft and fresh cheeses, and accompaniments. Easy to follow. Beautiful photography.

By Jules Aron,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Vegan Cheese as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

It isn't necessary to be intimidated by the idea of making cheese-vegan cheese is simple and straightforward with clean, basic ingredients. Here, Jules Aron shares the tricks of the trade for making sauces, cheese you can grate or slice, and soft spreadable options, using homemade nut milks, vegetables and natural helpers like carrageenan, agar-agar and nutritional yeast. Her flavoursome creations are enhanced with herbs and spices and run from incredibly easy to more complex, mimicking familiar cheeses, including: French-Style Brie, Herbed Feta, Aged Gruyere.

Armed with tips for building the perfect cheese plate and drink pairings, budding vegan cheese-makers will…


Book cover of Yoga Kitchen: The New Shoshoni Cookbook: More Recipes from the Shoshoni Yoga Retreat

Veronika Sophia Robinson Author Of The Mystic Cookfire: The Sacred Art of Creating Food to Nurture Friends and Family

From my list on conscious plant-based cookery.

Why am I passionate about this?

Veronika Sophia Robinson has eaten a plant-based diet for forty-eight years and knows what healthy and delicious vegan and vegetarian food should taste like. She has had extensive experience in cooking for others whether around her kitchen table or in a yurt with no electricity feeding up to fifty families for five days (for many years). The Mystic Cookfire is a tome of over 400 pages. It is an expression of her deep love and respect for food, conscious cookery, and intentional eating. Her second recipe book Love From My Kitchen is a collection of vegan, gluten-free recipes based on the four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. She’s delighted that her granddaughter is a fourth-generation vegetarian.

Veronika's book list on conscious plant-based cookery

Veronika Sophia Robinson Why did Veronika love this book?

The recipes in this book are so good because they were created by cooks who always go about their work with a smile. Cooking with Shakti changes everything, and is the divine ingredient in each meal. The authors treat foods as divine substances because they contain the essence of life. Your cooking will never be the same again after reading this book and approaching each meal with consciousness. The recipes are easy to follow, well laid out, and taste fabulous! No matter how often I declutter my massive recipe-book collection, this one always remains as a faithful culinary companion and inspiration.

By Faith Stone, Rachael Guidry,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Yoga Kitchen as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This cookbook serves up a delicious combination of pleasurable dining, consicous energy, and cultural diversity. At the Shoshoni Yoga Retreat a bevy of good cooks, motivated by their yoga practice, create the heavenly food enjoyed by retreat guests. In Yoga Kitchen master chefs Faith Stone and Rachel Guidry present favorite meals of both the guests and staff. These recipes feature American comfort foods blended with the invigorating and unique flavors of Indian, southwestern, and continental traditions.

They also show how to apply the practice of mindfulness in the kitchen, cook with "shakti", and eat in harmony with the seasons. You'll…


Book cover of Keep It Vegan

Veronika Sophia Robinson Author Of The Mystic Cookfire: The Sacred Art of Creating Food to Nurture Friends and Family

From my list on conscious plant-based cookery.

Why am I passionate about this?

Veronika Sophia Robinson has eaten a plant-based diet for forty-eight years and knows what healthy and delicious vegan and vegetarian food should taste like. She has had extensive experience in cooking for others whether around her kitchen table or in a yurt with no electricity feeding up to fifty families for five days (for many years). The Mystic Cookfire is a tome of over 400 pages. It is an expression of her deep love and respect for food, conscious cookery, and intentional eating. Her second recipe book Love From My Kitchen is a collection of vegan, gluten-free recipes based on the four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. She’s delighted that her granddaughter is a fourth-generation vegetarian.

Veronika's book list on conscious plant-based cookery

Veronika Sophia Robinson Why did Veronika love this book?

True to the subtitle, these recipes are delicious, healthy and simple. The best recipe books have stories woven throughout and you read them like a novel. Keep It Vegan makes you want to slow down and savour each page, and it leaves you infused with passion and pride for creating dishes which nurture and satiate. Recipes include Rosemary and Pear-Stuffed French Toast to Sweet Potato and Kiwi Soup to Pea and Lemon Risotto with a mint oil drizzle to Smokey Moroccan Chickpea Stew with Saffron-infused Couscous to No-Bake Strawberry Vanilla Cheesecake. Every page is a delight!

By Aine Carlin,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Keep It Vegan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Think you know vegan cooking? Lengthy, complicated recipe lists, expensive, hard-to-find ingredients, flavourless food? Think again! Let Aine Carlin, creator of popular vegan lifestyle blog Pea Soup Eats, enlighten you with her delicious recipes and straightforward tips. Keep it simple with easy-to-follow recipes, using a sensible number of ingredients that can be found in your local supermarket. Keep it tasty with chapters including Breakfast, Brunch & More, Light Lunches & Simple Suppers, Something Special, Sauces & Sides and Sweet Treats. Delight your senses and tantalise your tastebuds with Rosemary and Pear Stuffed French Toast, Santorini Spaghetti or Sweet Potato Sushi.…


Book cover of In Praise of Veg: A modern kitchen companion

Niki Webster Author Of Rainbow Bowls: Easy, delicious ways to #EatTheRainbow

From my list on healthy plant-based recipes.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been a fan of vegetables as long as I can remember, I went plant-based as a young girl and have never looked back. I love to celebrate vegetables in their wholesome, vibrant goodness and put them at the center of your diet. I love nothing more than pairing different flavours and textures to create feel-good food that tastes as good as it does for you and the planet. I have been running my blog – Rebel Recipes for over 6 years and have four plant-based cookbooks with fans from across the globe!

Niki's book list on healthy plant-based recipes

Niki Webster Why did Niki love this book?

This chunky and vibrant book by Alice Zaslavsky is going to make you put vegetables at the center of your plate! With over 150 recipes plus information about flavour combinations, rule-of-thumb buying/storing/cooking methods, shortcuts. It’s really inspiring and informative and will help you re-think how you structure meals. One not to be missed.

By Alice Zaslavsky,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked In Praise of Veg as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

For fans of Samin Nosrat, Anna Jones and Stephanie Alexander, the ultimate veg guide for food lovers

'Alice Zaslavsky is a force of nature!' Nigella Lawson

The definitive guide to making vegetables the centre of the plate.

In this comprehensive and fully illustrated kitchen companion, food writer and presenter Alice Zaslavsky profiles 50 favourite vegetable varieties, offering 150+ recipes reflective of both tradition and modernity, just as all good cooking should be. Uniquely organised by colour and filled with countless tips on flavour combinations, rule-of-thumb buying/storing/cooking methods, shortcuts, and veg wisdom from over 50 of the world's top chefs, In…


Book cover of Food in History

Ron Pickarski Author Of The Classical Vegetarian Cookbook

From my list on vegetarianism, food history, health, and politics.

Why am I passionate about this?

A former Catholic, raised in the restaurant business, becoming a Franciscan, and with a passionate love of art, they collectively integrated and came to define my life. I was sent to culinary school. Suffering from a chronic lung condition and obesity, I learned that an animal-based diet was the primary cause and became a vegan in October 1976, regaining my health. Vegan culinary art, as my life’s passion, led me to compete in the International Culinary Olympics five times in Germany, winning Seven medals, including gold, writing for magazines, authoring four books, and working with the United Nations to help humanity improve its health with a plant-based vegan diet.

Ron's book list on vegetarianism, food history, health, and politics

Ron Pickarski Why did Ron love this book?

Food in History is a pioneer work on the deceptively simple theme. Its purpose is to examine the forces which have shaped the nature of man’s diet throughout the course of thirty thousand years and to show, without special pleading, something of the way in which the pursuit of more and better food has helped to direct – sometimes decisively, more often subtly – the movement of history itself. To demonstrate, in effect, that in some senses, at least food is history.

This book literally walks the reader through the history of food, how we evolved from foraging to an agrarian community, and how supermarkets evolved from farmers markets. Weaving food into politics, religion, and economics Food in History is an expose on humanity's complex relationship with food and our reliance on both produce and meat as the basis of the human omnivore diet.   

By Reay Tannahill,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Food in History as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An enthralling world history of food from prehistoric times to the present. A favorite of gastronomes and history buffs alike, Food in History is packed with intriguing information, lore, and startling insights--like what cinnamon had to do with the discovery of America, and how food has influenced population growth and urban expansion.


Book cover of How to Cook Everything Vegetarian

Deana Gunn Author Of Vegetarian Cooking with Trader Joe's Cookbook

From my list on cooking vegetarian for easy and delicious meals.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a cookbook and children's book author and co-owner of Brown-Bag Publishers, a small independent publishing company since 2007. I love good food, and I have a passion for creating (and using!) recipes that are easy and result in delicious, healthy meals that appeal to the whole family. I’m the author of the bestselling Cooking with All Things Trader Joe's which was the first in the popular 10-book Trader Joe's cookbook series. I live in a small surf town in California with my husband and four kids.

Deana's book list on cooking vegetarian for easy and delicious meals

Deana Gunn Why did Deana love this book?

This cookbook by Mark Bittman re-energized the vegetarian movement over a decade ago (and was updated on its 10th anniversary). Think of it as the “Joy of Cooking” for vegetarians, covering all foods and techniques from A-Z. The recipes are straightforwad and approachable, making them perfect for beginner cooks as well as experienced home cooks. Favorites are Vegetarian Pho, Paella with Tomatoes and Eggs, and Curried Potatoes.

By Mark Bittman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to Cook Everything Vegetarian as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Ten years ago, this breakthrough cookbook made vegetarian cooking accessible to everyone. Today, the issues surrounding a plant-based diet-health, sustainability, and ethics-continue to resonate with more and more people, whether or not they're fully vegetarian. This new edition has been completely reviewed and revised to stay relevant to today's cooks: New recipes include more vegan options and a brand-new chapter on smoothies, teas, and more. Charts, variations, and other key information have been updated. And, new for this edition, the recipes are showcased in bright full-colour photos throughout. With these photos and a host of recipes destined to become new…


Book cover of Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

Lukas Volger Author Of Snacks for Dinner: Small Bites, Full Plates, Can't Lose

From my list on cookbooks for making plant-based cooking a habit.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been writing vegetarian cookbooks for almost 15 years, and have had many different jobs in the world of food – cooking in restaurants, running a small food business, working food photography shoots, and much more. While in my day-to-day eating, I go on and off following a strict plant-based diet, it’s long been my default style of eating because I find it to be so healthy, affordable, and fun! I’m never not excited and inspired by the abundance and diversity of vegetables and the incredible techniques and dishes that cuisines around the world have done with them. 

Lukas' book list on cookbooks for making plant-based cooking a habit

Lukas Volger Why did Lukas love this book?

When I was a young cook, I picked up my copy of this opus from a neighbor’s stoop sale, and it immediately became one of my most valued possessions. I’d go to the farmer’s market, buy a vegetable I didn’t recognize, and then back at home consult this, my vegetable bible, for how I should cook it. It has never steered me wrong and 20 years later, I still find new things to learn from it and am always in awe of Deborah Madison’s prescient wisdom on the subject of how to thoughtfully shop, cook, eat, and live. It’s warmly written and exhaustive in its scope – as much of a reference as it is a practical cookbook for regular use. 

By Deborah Madison,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

What Julia Child is to French cooking and Marcella Hazan is to Italian cooking, Deborah Madison is to contemporary vegetarian cooking.  At Greens restaurant in San Francisco, where she was the founding chef, and in her two acclaimed vegetarian cookbooks, Madison elevated vegetarian cooking to new heights of sophistication, introducing many people to the joy of cooking without meat, whether occasionally or for a lifetime.  But after her many years as a teacher and writer, she realized that there was no comprehensive primer for vegetarian cooking, no single book that taught vegetarians basic cooking techniques, how to combine ingredients, and…


Book cover of Minimalist Baker's Everyday Cooking: 101 Entirely Plant-Based, Mostly Gluten-Free, Easy and Delicious Recipes

Deana Gunn Author Of Vegetarian Cooking with Trader Joe's Cookbook

From my list on cooking vegetarian for easy and delicious meals.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a cookbook and children's book author and co-owner of Brown-Bag Publishers, a small independent publishing company since 2007. I love good food, and I have a passion for creating (and using!) recipes that are easy and result in delicious, healthy meals that appeal to the whole family. I’m the author of the bestselling Cooking with All Things Trader Joe's which was the first in the popular 10-book Trader Joe's cookbook series. I live in a small surf town in California with my husband and four kids.

Deana's book list on cooking vegetarian for easy and delicious meals

Deana Gunn Why did Deana love this book?

I’ve been a fan of the Minimalist Baker’s website for some time, and I have made many of the recipes again and again, including Golden Milk Macaroons, 5-Ingredient Granola Bars, and Sweet Potato Enchiladas. While I’m not a vegan (and neither is the author), I do like expanding my list of go-to plant-based recipes. I love that this cookbook has simple ingredient lists and beautiful photos throughout.

By Dana Shultz,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Minimalist Baker's Everyday Cooking as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The highly anticipated cookbook from the immensely popular food blog Minimalist Baker, featuring 101 all-new simple, vegan recipes that all require 10 ingredients or less, 1 bowl or 1 pot, or 30 minutes or less to prepare
 
Dana Shultz founded the Minimalist Baker blog in 2012 to share her passion for simple cooking and quickly gained a devoted worldwide following. Now, in this long-awaited debut cookbook, Dana shares 101 vibrant, simple recipes that are entirely plant-based, mostly gluten-free, and 100% delicious. Packed with gorgeous photography, this practical but inspiring cookbook includes:

   • Recipes that each require 10 ingredients or less,…


Book cover of Transition to Vegetarianism: An Evolutionary Step

Ron Pickarski Author Of The Classical Vegetarian Cookbook

From my list on vegetarianism, food history, health, and politics.

Why am I passionate about this?

A former Catholic, raised in the restaurant business, becoming a Franciscan, and with a passionate love of art, they collectively integrated and came to define my life. I was sent to culinary school. Suffering from a chronic lung condition and obesity, I learned that an animal-based diet was the primary cause and became a vegan in October 1976, regaining my health. Vegan culinary art, as my life’s passion, led me to compete in the International Culinary Olympics five times in Germany, winning Seven medals, including gold, writing for magazines, authoring four books, and working with the United Nations to help humanity improve its health with a plant-based vegan diet.

Ron's book list on vegetarianism, food history, health, and politics

Ron Pickarski Why did Ron love this book?

Dr. Ballantine leads the reader through the transition process and nutritional elements of becoming a vegetarian. In his thoughtful approach, he addresses macro nutrition (protein, carbohydrates, and fatty acids) and the biological impact of consuming meat. I found it interesting how he addresses it, starting with red meat and proceeding on to poultry and finally fish as protein elimination phases to becoming a vegetarian. Radical changes to one’s diet may create biological abnormalities.

Dr.Ballentine’s dietary preference is primarily plant-based, with vegetarianism as the foundational principle. The Greeks, who initiated a vegetarian diet, ate eggs and drank milk. Their objection was the unnecessary killing of animals. Meat and dairy are very acidic (butter is an exception) and can contribute to respiratory congestion which compelled me to become a vegetarian and eventually a plant-based vegetarian..

By Rudolph M. Ballentine,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Transition to Vegetarianism as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This book explores the health issues surrounding vegetarianism and helps the aspiring vegetarian make the transition in a way that provides the greatest benefits. Well-researched and easy-to-read, this is an excellent resource for both seasoned and would-be vegetarians.


Book cover of Naturally Sweet Food in Jars: 100 Preserves Made with Coconut, Maple, Honey, and More
Book cover of Vegan Cheese: Simple, Delicious Plant-Based Recipes
Book cover of Yoga Kitchen: The New Shoshoni Cookbook: More Recipes from the Shoshoni Yoga Retreat

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Interested in vegetarianism, omnivores, and cooking?

Vegetarianism 35 books
Omnivores 13 books
Cooking 107 books