Almost Vegetarian: A Primer for Cooks Who Are Eating Vegetarian Most of the Time, Chicken & Fish Some of the Time, & Altogether Well All of the Time

by Diana Shaw

A spirited, reliable, nondogmatic primer with more than 170 recipes for the ever-growing number of people who are eating and cooking semi-vegetarian fare. Bursting with serving and menu suggestions, how-to boxes, do-ahead tips, preparation times, nutritional information, and more, here is a complete and timely guide for contemporary cooks. Advertising in Eating Well.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Vegetarian, Health

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 1994

Reviews

[Vjera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated, with lots of references to the need to eat low-fat foods. No pictures. Had good coverage of basics, such as a Fresh Vegetable Directory, with tips on how to pick the best ones, when they’re in season, how to store them, and recipes to try them in.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not an everyday go to.

[Kimmay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be helpful for some basic tips on prepping. I learned a few interesting things about particular veggies and prep. I didn't try any of the recipes. None of them really jumped out at me, but it could have just been because i was on a time restraint to return the book on time. I may check the book out again at a later date. It was worth borrowing from the library, but i am not sure i would pay full price for it. I have sooo many cook books now, another addition would really have to make an impression on me to get yet another one.

The book did help me further my quest a tiny bit, and every bit helps me become more solid in my eating & cooking habits. Right now I am a solid flexitarian. I am not sure if I can make it to full vegetarian...
I know... no confidence in that statement but i need to have more proof i can do this, before i start really believing it. I know at this point in my life I am NOT ready to be a vegan... I know i just don't have that in me,at least not yet, although I am not totally ruling it out... you never know.

I haven't eaten pork or any pork products since August. And i think i have only had red meat 2 or 3 times since August, it now being December, I am proud of that. I haven't had any milk since then either, but have had ice cream...so i am on my way but not quite there yet. I switched to Almond Milk. Yes, i still eat Fish,Chicken, Eggs & cheese & some yogurt. I buy my eggs i buy from the Amish and i know they treat the chickens very well, they run free and are EVERYWHERE when i stop to get my eggs & veggies.
I have yet to find local cheese, but i have been buying Cabot for now, they use no animal rennet, so it is a start.

So, back to the book, a solid book, worth a look, especially if you can borrow it first to see if it has any recipes that fit your taste buds. It just didn't have that many that sparked my interest.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost Vegetarian was one of the first cookbooks I purchased for myself, with the aim of learning how to really cook -- how to create meals that were both delicious and nutritious, and which warmed both the heart and soul. I liked the ethic of this book; the way that Diana Shaw really believes in a life that revolves around the kitchen, and incorporates the image of good living into every recipe.

However, I'm writing this having spent the past several hours working over one of her recipes, and I'm underwhelmed. Again. I so rarely open this book because I have yet to have a culinary success using it -- and considering that most of the times I decide to cook, I end up rather pleased with the results, it leads me to think that the book itself is suspect.

I'm not sure whether Shaw is simply working at a much more complex level than I am, and therefore omitting crucial steps that a more advanced chef might instinctively include, whether the recipes are just too hard for me, or whether I'm somehow bad at this one type of cooking...but the end result is that this is not a good book for me. She gets stars for excellent writing, an environmentally-friendly emphasis on sustainability, and her extensive knowledge of nutrition, but ultimately falls down on the crucial aspect of a cookbook -- the ability to help the chef create a delicious, sustaining experience.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister got this cookbook as a present for me when I moved into my first apartment (the first apartment where I had any intention of cooking, anyway). It's a great cookbook for a beginner. While some of the recipes may be time consuming, none of them are particularly intimidating, and there's lots of useful information on various ingredients and cooking techniques. Many of my favorite stand-by recipes are in here, none more so than the delicious and hearty spinach lentil soup.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one I might buy. But first I copied a few recipes and I'll try a few. There ARE a lot of ingredients in most of the recipes, but nothing you wouldn't be able to have, or more likely, have already.

Plus this book has lots of information about spices, vegetables, how to cook different ways...and it's very readable as well.

[Kricket · Rating 3 out of 5]

based on the title, this should be *exactly* the cookbook for me, but as i was reading i realized that i also prefer my lists of ingredients to be much shorter. i'm planning to try a couple of the recipes next week so we'll see they turn out.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this book out of the Library, I did not have time to try some of the recipes.I really like the idea of the book and am always looking to eat healthier. Some of the winter squash recipes looked interesting so will recheck out at a later date.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid, lots of good info. A little bit preoccupied with low-fat/fat-free food, but it came out in the 90's, so it is forgiven. I have yet to make anything, but I look forward to giving these recipes a try.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just enjoy this cook book. It has good ideas for delicious healthy plates.

[Kay Sterner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book changed how I thought about food when I got it as a Christmas present in 1994.

[R Schip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good recipes. The eggplant pancakes are worth it, for real... and I can't wait to try the sweet potato ones. But not the beets. God no!

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hated how this book was set up. The recipes didn't look that great either.

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this from the library but I liked the recipes and advice so much I feel I need to purchase my own.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great recipes, not preachy about being strictly vegetarian.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't try her recipes, but I like the concept behind dishes that can include meat or not.