I was not able to review this earlier since it was archived before I could download it but I finally got a chance to check it out from my library.

I love Damaris Phillips and follow her on the Food Network and Instagram. Her recipes in this book are rustic, and simple yet elevated enough to transform traditional comfort dishes to excite taste buds with new takes on old favorites.

I absolutely LOVE Demaris!! She is such a fun bubbly person and not to mention SOUTHERN! She makes some of the best food and when she did this cookbook I was beyond thrilled! I absolutely loved everything she had a recipe for and have been trying something new from it weekly!! I cant wait to see what else she comes up with next!

I was a huge fan of Damaris Phillips, and was rooting for her on The Next Food Network Star. I'm happy to see her come so far. I I loved SOUTHERN GIRL MEET VEGETARIAN BOY. I am in no way a vegetarian, but was very impressed with how she was able to transform dishes in a way that even I would give them a chance.

wonderful southern recipes to make in your home's kitchen.......

While I was unable to try all of the recipes included in the book the few that I attempted were amazing. Our household has vegetarian dinners 3-4 times a week at minimum and the recipes were clearly written and tasty. I particularly appreciated having the option to make certain dishes vegetarian or not as that adds more diversity to when they can be used.

Food Network star Damaris Phillip's new cookbook tackles combining traditional southern recipes with vegetarian dietary requirements. It is a sweet nod to her home life with her vegetarian husband and how she has learned to tweak her recipes. The first section she takes traditional southern entrees and shows how to make the same dish with various meat substitutes. The second portion is how to make the same dish two ways: with or without meat. Next she offers a variety of side dishes and finishes with a collection of desserts. In each recipe she provides tips and information on making fun vegetarian eats with meat and protein substitutes. This is a good book for someone looking for traditional southern fare...with or without the meat.

This is a great collection of traditional Southern recipes that have been adapted for vegetarian eaters. This is well balanced for those who love Southern cooking and who may be looking to cut out some meat protein. However, if you're a little unsure at times the recipes provide ways to add meat back into the recipe. There is also a section that shows to versions of a recipe, one vegetarian and one not. Overall a lovely collection and should be added to a cookbook collection.

Some of the swaps/options sounded doable and delish, others sounded pretty nasty. Beet burgers? No thank you!

I thought the author did a good job with presenting both vegetarian and meat options in the recipes. I doubt a die-hard vegetarian, though, would be that interested in the two options.

I am not a vegetarian but I'm buying this book! I got the privilege thanks to Netgalley to look through an advanced digital copy of this book. I expected it to be a interesting read at points but not something I would need in my life. I already knew I love Demaris from seeing her on food network.
I did not expect to find so many things that I needed to try and make at once. The Chick pea and dumplings soup is delicious and the Grits and Greens will become a staple for my house.
We are meat eaters. Thing is I am a Momma to 4 kids. So I figure the odds of me ending up with a vegetarian to feed eventually are pretty high. Plus, who doesn't need more vegetables in their life anyway. If I needed to cook a vegetarian option for my kids or their significant others one day I would be lost trying to figure out tasty meat substitutes. It's just not something I know anything about and certainly not something I'd know how to make on my own. Even though I am a skilled southern cook.
What makes this book a must purchase right now for me is All the recipes I think would be pretty simple to add meat to. They even include instructions for that option.

I'd say that this is a pretty perfect cookbook. You can easily find something to feed anyone you might be cooking for. The pictures are beautiful! The food all sounds delicious. We've tried and loved 2 recipes out of the book and I've got a list of about 10 more that will be made in my house within the next few weeks. A must purchase for me!!!

I've always enjoyed Damaris on the Food Network and looked forward to her book. The subtitle of Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy says it all "Down Home Classics for Vegetarians (and the Meat Eaters Who Love Them)". The recipes are broken into four chapters:

Simple Swap Entrees. The recipes in this chapter substitute plant based proteins for meat in familiar dishes. Not only are the recipes for vegetarians but variations for "Plant-Based" or vegans and Meat Eaters or "Carnivores" are included.

Two Ways Entrees. Both a meat version and vegetable protein version of the same recipes are included. Yep, she even included Fried Chicken and Fried Seitan Chicken recipes.

Southern Sides With A Twist. All the classic sides like Macaroni and Cheese, Creamy Cole Slaw, Ambrosia Salad and more all updated with a Damaris twist.

All-inclusive Desserts. Finally there are the desserts again with the Damaris flair like Black Pepper Pumpkin Pie and Coconut Lavender Cream Cake. Loads of great dessert recipes.

Overall it's a beautiful book loaded with beautiful pictures and with good recipes for everyone regardless how or what they eat.

Many of these recipes are just simple Southern staples with meat substitutes -- this is both a strength and weakness. For people who aren't too keen on changing up their comfort food options, this is a good substitute. However, some of the recipes are a bit self-explanatory to cooks familiar with Southern cuisine.

There are, however, a few recipes in particular that stood out to me in terms of using creative ways to replicate familiar flavors without using meat, especially the Kentucky beans and rice.

I appreciated that the author didn't waste a lot of time with commentary and introductions. (I'm not a big fan of reading through a chef's feelings on a recipe -- just give me a recipe with a tasty picture!)

Recommended for hesitant vegetarians, and most library collections.

This cookbook is excellent, I'll definitely be buying a physical copy to use in the kitchen. I love Southern flavours but as a vegetarian have always struggled to find suitable recipes - even for simple things like biscuits and grits! The photography is lush, the ingredients varied and easily acquired, and the written segments sweet and readable. Excellent.

Due to the file format, I was unable to open the document to offer my review.

Nice recipes from the southern part of the U,S. in the double version meet/vegetarian, with a clear explanation and not so difficult to find ingredients, so if you are interested in learning some southern food, this is the book for you!

Ricette interessanti che vengono dal sud degli Stati Uniti nella doppia versione con/senza proteine animali, con spiegazioni chiare ed ingredienti facili da trovare, quindi un buon libro se siete interessati a scoprire il cibo di quelle parti!

THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

I was not a fan of these recipes, I am a meat lover and can't even imagine putting soy or whatever in place of meat. There were a few recipes I might try but...... Of course it is not the author's fault I can't give up eating meat, the book is a beautiful cookbook with some very good cooking hints and ideas. If you are a vegetarian or just want to cut back on the meat this would be a great book for you.