If you are going to own only one cookbook, this is the one. We use it multiple times weekly (my household is not all vegetarian and it is simply to extend these recipes). This book has EVERYTHING, from salad dressing to desserts and is not just a list of recipes, but has technique descriptions as well as many many pages on how to extend basic recipes in multiple ways to suit your tastes. It may not be the best for a beginner. We have not been totally impressed with the breads. Still, our #1 favorite book! ( )

you know eggplant?

One of my best all-around cookbooks. ( )

This is a great book - even if you are a meat eater (like I am)

Just about the only veggie cookbook you need. It's organized alphabetically, which is also great. ( )

A good and pretty encyclopedic book about cooking vegetables. The layout isn't mind-blowing, as it's pretty bare-bones, but the recipes seem cool. I plan on making my way through this and trying out a bunch of different stuff. The general info on cooking different veggies and basic cooking techniques is also a plus to a beginning cook like me. ( )

This is one of my all-time favorite cookbooks. I bought this book thinking that I would like to eat less meat for health reasons. I am not a vegetarian, and my husband is a meat-and-potatoes sort of guy. Using this cookbook I have been able to incorporate meatless meals into our diet two or three nights a week -- and the recipes have become some of our favorite dishes!

Deborah Madison's food is hearty, flavorful, satisfying and inventive. With a wealth of information about a cornucopia of fruits, vegetables, and grains, this could be called an encyclopedia of vegetarian cooking. Great for everyone who likes to eat healthy and well. ( )