As one of those rare women who absolutely hates cooking, I can't resist adding this book. It is a must for any vegetarian kitchen or really anyone who even has an interest in vegetarian cooking.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....d_i=507846

Besides the 2,000 recipes, it has detailed information about technique and a variety of common vegetarian ingredients. If you're more experienced than I am (and chances are you are), I imagine it is still a handy reference to have around.

Since the topic came up, I thought I would throw it out there. Back to Angie!

Re-ci-pes! Yes please! Even a list of common ingredients you use in salads, soups, fish dishes, etc. would be super. Also, would you mnd describing your dark breads in more detail (or even a photo)? That's something I'm very unfamiliar with, and would like to try out.

I am loving this thread! Talking and reading about food, and eating of course, is one of the joys of life!

I'm very curious about your seafood salad now Angie, and it sounds like that salad dressing might encourage me to eat more green salads from now on. Bring it on!
By the way: do you make that South African chutney yourself? Would you mind sharing that recipe too?-)

P.S. I second Maya's suggestion, that sandwich book is really quite lovely.

Almost forgot: Marianne and Kristen have already mentioned 101 cookbooks (great blog). I recently tried her egg salad recipe and loved it because it doesn't have any mayo (detest that) in it and because the apples add a very refreshing touch. (I didn't have any pecans, but I like the idea of the extra flavour and crunch).
http://www.101cookbooks.com/ar.....ecipe.html

Two other recommendations:

http://www.tastespotting.com is just fantastic. It's sort of a portal site to which people can send their recipes. I can spend hours drooling over the pictures. It's not strictly vegetarian, but if you need some inspiration, you're bound to find it there.

http://fresh365.blogspot.com/

Marianne: I don't own this book, but am considering ordering it:
http://www.amazon.com/Mediterr.....d_sim_b_22

I'm always in the market for new and interesting spreads and sandwich fillings. I don't eat meat, and only like hard cheeses, but get bored of eating cheese every day. You're inspiring me to mix it up more and experiment with salads (and dressings) too.

I'd love to have your recipe Angie. It is difficult to get fresh fish here in the midwest, but we can get nice tasting Tuna. My husband took lunch today. yeah! Tabouleh salad. I also brought leftovers from dinner (side dish of lima beans and kale topped with salsa verde).

Thanks Inge, that book looks great and exactly like something we'd use. I've been thinking it's time for a new cookbook since I haven't bought any in awhile, hmm...

I also love 101Cookbooks, it's a great blog. Inge, I hadn't heard of the fresh365 blog you posted, it looks fantastic! Thanks for linking to it.

Another one I like for healthy recipes is http://danatreat.com/. The writer is a personal chef who lives in Seattle, and is also a vegetarian.

And of course, I love this blog: http://www.kitchenist.com/ *wink*

As for books, I really don't need any more! I have such a weakness for them, it's worrying... But now I'm also convinced about the sandwich book that Maya posted. Looks really useful, I might have to get it.

Inge, I'm definitely making this egg salad soon. Thanks so much for the rec, it sounds yummy.

I'm also checking out fresh365 and danatreat. I already printed out some recipes to try.

My seafood salad is not going to work if you don't eat Mayo. Anyone else not eat it? Am I the only one who LOVES mayonnaise?

ONLY Best Foods!! I am a mayo snob!

*chuckle*. Me too, Taylor. Only Best Food's for us in the US. But I have to add that the Dutch and the Japanese know how to make mayonnaise and their brands are KILLER too.

I don't know what took me so long to reply to this thread. I love good food too. Here's a fun book for you to read, "Animal, Vegetable, Mineral," about one family's experiment to eat only local for one year. Its fantastic!

OK, I will trust you on that:)

Has anyone seen the new ad on this forum because of this thread --- a chef's pullover. Looks like the apron I need so I don't ruin my clothes.

Tosca Reno's "Eat Clean" principles work well for me. She espouses firing up your metabolism with small, frequent meals that incorporate protein and carbs, with everything as unprocessed as possible. Breakfast is a must.

I recommend the reading the Eat Clean Diet Cookbook or the Eat Clean Diet for Family and Kids. All of the basic principles, as well as 30 recipes, included in the Eat Clean Diet book.

All of the books are available at bookstores or Amazon. You'll also find info at: http://www.eatcleandiet.com

Marianne: I couldn't resist and ordered it myself today;-)

Lena: Let us know how you like the salad?

Ele: Thanks for the extra blog tips! I'd been meaning to ask about your blog;-) I've bookmarked all three of them! And: one can never have enough books if you ask me;-)

Angie: please don't mind me and my mayo-aversion! I'm still very curious to read about that yummy recipe (I'll find a way to work around the mayo, been there, done that, all good recipes can be tinkered with;-)

Mmmm.... mayo. Can't wait to see the seafood salad recipe :9

Regarding lunch ideas, google "Bento boxes." These are Japanese lunch boxes that are a certain size depending on your age and gender and thus if you pack them accordingly are supposed to give you just the right amount of calories. They do make Bento boxes for men but only you know if your man would like this sort of lunch. My girls have used bento boxes since they were in grade school - the size of their box has grown as they've grown, and over time they learned to pack the box themselves (carbs go in one box, veggies/fruits in another, protein in the other). I don't do any fancy cooking or recipes but if you google around you will find numerous web sites and cookbooks with amazing recipes and ideas! (hint, google "Bento art" and be prepared to be blown away!!!)

Inge, when you get it, could you please please post a review?

Lena, I forgot to mention about Indian cooking - I thought Yamuna Devi's book was very comprehensive. I used to have it, but gave it to my sister who is a big fan of Indian food.

Ele, thank you so much for the links! They will be great sources of ideas for me, putting them into my RSS reader right now

As a result of this thread I have just attempted my first ever home made mayo. Didn't work too well! Possibly because I disregarded the recipe at almost every point.
I lived in Japan for a while and found their mayo very rich, and a bit much, except in very small quantities

Marianne, thanks for the Yamuna Devi rec. I'll definitely check it out.

Inge, I tried the egg salad recipe. I think it turned out pretty well. The color is gorgeous. I didn't use pecans, though (I prefer to eat them on their own). Next time I will use a more sour yogurt or a more tart apple (like Granny Smith). And I'm thinking about adding some capers (and taking out the chives?). I'm always looking for interesting ways to eat eggs, thanks for the rec again.

Aha, thanks for letting us know Lena (and you're very welcome). I used Granny Smith and really liked the contrast of the tarty apple with the yogurt and eggs. Oooh capers, marvellous idea! Try red onion too.

Marianne: I'll post an update as soon as I get the book!

Shiny, I have a Mr. Bento that I am looking forward to pulling out of storage soon. I've gotten used to eating small meals through the day, and I think the size of each of the 4 containers will be perfect for keeping me on track with that. It's so cute and fun to use too!