Rockridge Press - Vegetarian Cookbook for Beginners: The Essential Vegetarian Cookbook to Get Started

Copyright 2013 by Rockridge Press, Berkeley, California

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ISBN Print 978-1-62315-242-0 | eBook 978-1-62315-277-2

F or some people, there is nothing more satisfying than biting into a juicy hamburger or cutting into a tender steak that has been seasoned and cooked to perfection. When you think about food or see commercials for restaurants on TV, what are the things that catch your eye? The chances are good that your eye isnt drawn to that bowl of steamed rice or veggies sitting off to the side of a sizzling platter of chicken fajitas. We cant help itwe are drawn to food that has flavor, texture, and, well, pizzazz. Though meat is the focus of many modern Western diets, it shouldnt always be in the spotlight. Vegetable-based dishes can play more than just a supporting rolethey can shine just as brightly (or more brightly) than any meat-based dish.

The vegetarian diet is based solely on vegetable-based foods. Some vegetarians choose to eat eggs, milk, and other dairy products, but most refrain from consuming any type of meat that comes from animals or fish. For those of us who live in a world where the local McDonalds gets more traffic than the local library or park, it can be difficult to imagine a diet that doesnt include meat. Set aside your doubts for a moment and picture this:

Thick slices of tender eggplant tossed in flour and fried to perfection, sandwiched between layers of fresh mozzarella and herbed tomato sauceserved hot on a bed of fresh linguine al dente and paired with a glass of merlot.

If that description doesnt get your mouth watering, nothing will. Vegetarian food does not have to be bland or boring just because it doesnt include meat; in fact, when you remove meat from the equation, you will be able to experience the unique flavors and textures that fruits and vegetables have to offer. After just a few weeks on the vegetarian diet, you will find that you do not miss meat at all. The thought of a crisp, refreshing salad or a hot bowl of vegetable stew will get your stomach growling more than a chicken breast or filet of beef ever could.

The vegetarian diet is about more than just eating good food, though that is certainly one of the perks. For many people, it is about the myriad health benefits this type of diet has to offer. Countless studies have shown that those who do not eat meat often have lower blood cholesterol levels, reduced risk for chronic disease, improved insulin response, and lower body weightnot to mention an increased life span! Do what is best for your body by switching to a vegetarian diet. In this book you will find all of the information you need to make the transformation. From explanations of what vegetarianism is, how it can benefit you, and how to make the transition, to delicious recipes for snacks, entres, and desserts, this book will serve as your guide on the path toward a healthy, meat-free lifestyle.

CHAPTER ONE

The term vegetarianism refers to the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat and, in some cases, eggs and dairy products. The word vegetarian was first used during the 1840s by the Vegetarian Society, which was founded in Manchester, England, in 1847. The Vegetarian Society was established during the nineteenth century as a means of supporting and representing vegetarians in the United Kingdom in addition to spreading the word about the vegetarian lifestyle. Today, the Vegetarian Society continues to work for the support and education of vegetarians and other individuals, while also acting as a pressure group, aiming to influence food manufacturers to remove nonvegetarian additives from their food products.

A few notable vegetarians and members of the Vegetarian Society include the following:

• John Barclay
• Bramwell Booth
• Peter Cushing
• Jorja Fox
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Dr. Anna Kingsford
• Keith Lorraine
• Paul McCartney
• Isaac Pitman
• Henry Salt
• George Bernard Shaw
• Leo Tolstoy

DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEGETARIANISM

There are a number of different types of vegetarianism, based on the types of food an individual does and does not eat. While all types of vegetarianism are centered on a primarily fruit- and vegetable-based diet, certain types of vegetarianism exclude the consumption of eggs, milk, dairy, and/or animal products. The following chart provides a basic overview of the different types of vegetarianism: