The Flexible Vegetarian: Flexitarian recipes to cook with or without meat and fish

A superb cookbook suitable for both vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
I have been a vegetarian for nearly 25 years, my family however are avid meat eaters (pig and chicken being their favourite). Cooking separate meals is always a pain, and to be honest, they don't always like my meal choice. So it is refreshing to find a vegetarian recipe book with advice on how to make it suitable for meat eaters. The photographs in this book look truly mouthwatering and had the desired effect of making me want to try them all. There are some unique and completely new to me dishes to cook along with some fantastic takes on traditional meals that I know I'm going to enjoy cooking and eating. Prior to writing this review I have tried 3 dishes and I also have plans to cook more later in the week. A few of the ingredients are not my norm, so a shopping trip is on the cards in the near future. A fantastic recipe book for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

interesting cookbook - something in there for everyone - from vegetarians to anyone looking to switch up their dinner routine

I liked this book for many reason, but mostly because the recipes are clear, well explained and it also gave me options if I don't want them to be completely vegetarian!

Questo libro mi é piaciuto per molti motivi, ma fondamentalmente perché le ricette sono spiegate bene, utilizza ingredienti "normali" e soprattutto fornisce un'alternativa al lettore che preferisce inserire anche proteine animali!

THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

When I started reading this book I thought it would suit someone cooking for children. The more I delved into it, the more I realised that the recipes had validity and would make a lovely reference. The beauty of the recipes is that the ingredients are readily available. The instructions are clear and would be simple enough for the beginner cook to follow.

wonderful recipes for flexible vegetarians. Each recipe were clearly explained........

This book contained all vegetarian recipes but gives readers the option to add meat at the end of each recipe which I really enjoyed. Jeff and I are working on a more vegetarian diet so this book had several great recipes we want to try while still giving us the option of adding a protein that will pair well with the meal. Personally, I don’t enjoy mushrooms and there several recipes in this book that call heavily for them so that is a downside for me as I won’t be trying those meals, but I know they're a great substitute for meat in vegetarian recipes. I'm excited to try out the books suggestions for cooking tofu and has several soups (like cauliflower cream cheese soup) that will be great to try as it starts to get colder out. The book contained beautiful photographs throughout and I loved that the author included proper ways to cook different types of meat in the back of the book as a just-in-case!

A well put together cookbook offering both vegetarian and meat options. I liked it because it was straight forward and the recipes were things I would make.

I’ve been a vegetarian for a long time – since I was 12, so over 30 years.  My husband, though, and my daughter (who is seven), are confirmed meat eaters.  As we all love cooking, we have had to figure out a way to all eat well – things that are healthy, tasty, and (at least during the week) easy.  Given their need for meat, and my non-need, it’s sometimes a challenge.

The current compromise is that we alternate – we have a non-meat meal, then a meal that includes meat but I take the meat out; sometimes that results in me eating plain pasta or a plate of veggies.  They aren’t very exciting.  Even my husband will admit the veggie meals are usually tastier and different from the norm – but there is no meat, and he misses that after a few days. 

The Flexible Vegetarian takes this problem and offers solutions, delivering a range of tasty, interesting and healthy food that you can eat with or without meat, and not just with the meat added to the side.  I have to say I was a little sceptical but it seems to work.  We’ve tried two of the recipes so far, both of which were a success, with more to follow this week.

First up was Cauliflower Cream Cheese Soup with sweet roast onions.  I have always had a love / hate relationship with cauliflower soup in that I once had a bowl in a restaurant and it was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted.  Since then I have hated every version I have tried.  To find a good one has felt like a mission and – I am pleased to say – mission accomplished.

This soup was delicious.  I cut the recipe the book in half as we didn’t need to make enough to serve 8 and I couldn’t find the nigella seeds it called for as a garnish but other than that I followed the recipe to the letter and enjoyed every spoonful.

(you can find a photo of my attempt at this recipe on my blog).
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The meat version includes cooking with pancetta but we didn’t do that here as it felt, for me, like I would be eating meat.  I did both a non-meat and meat version of the second recipe I tried, seasonal vegetable tart (picking the autumn version as, well, it’s autumn).  This meant butternut squash and sage – favourites of mine – with Parma ham added to my husband and daughter’s tart.  I think if I’d make this one again, I’d up the sage but there will definitely be an again as this was tasty.

(there is a photo of my attempt at this recipe on my blog.)

Next up is the roasted aubergine and fennel paella or Turkish pide, both of which look delicious and which I wish I could show you photos off but it just isn’t working to try and do this from the computer screen.  Trust me though – they look good!

So, will this book be for everyone? No.  But for people with a veggie in the family or who want to cut out meat from their diet a couple of days a week, this is a great book and one I can highly recommend.

Enjoy!

Loads of really useful recipes in this book - especially when you’re not quite the whole vegetarian that your husband/wife/partner has turned into! Not particularly difficult to find the ingredients but give some delicious and quirky ideas for easy weeknight meals and some amazing soups for a weekend. I keep coming back to this book for inspiration!

I loved this ARC from NetGalley. Although I read it after Hurricane Maria ravaged my island, I look forward to a time when there is food available in the supermarkets so that I may try the dozens of recipes that captured my eye.

I have bought several of Jo Pratt’s cookery books, and found them practical and enjoyable. This one is no exception. The recipes are easy to follow and mouthwatering. I very much like her suggestions for adapting the vegetarian recipes to suit meat eaters, though, in my experience most people nowadays are more than happy with the vegetarian version. This is a well thought out and practical book with recipes to suit all tastes and occasions. I would recommend it very highly.

A great cookbook if you're looking to step more into the world of vegetarian dining, but aren't ready to commit to switching over completely. You're given vegetarian recipes and flexible alternatives to make them non-vegetarian on each page. So if you're wanting a vegetarian dish or not feeling that way for dinner tonight you can still pick something delicious from this cookbook.

This was a fun cookbook! It's pretty brief, but I like the way it's set up! I am not a vegetarian, but I would absolutely make most of these recipes. They are simple and look quite tasty. I love the idea that they can veggie dishes, or that you can add in some meat and the ideas that they provide for that. Bonus: the pictures in the book are beautiful.

Approachable recipes that veggie and meat lover alike will love to make. This will be a great book for people who have family members who are meat free

This is a go-to-book to those vegetarians who need to cook for their non-vegetarian partners or children aside from their own meal. The recipes are flexible and easy to follow.

I really like books like this, offering approachable recipes with a vegetarian focus. Many of the dishes are familiar, with small twists on the way I might make it: shaksuka, sweet potato-bean tacos, vegetable soups. I was pleased to find some beautiful and creative use of paneer, turmeric, celery root, barley, and other ingredients I like but tend to use the same way over and over.

The Flexible Vegetarian is beautifully illustrated and probably a great addition to anyone's library.
The recipes are easy to follow and work well.
I like the idea of giving options. Because while I like the occasional vegetarian dish, I also do like eating meat.
But then I also have several vegetarian friends. This book it for all home cooks in my situation.
Great alternative to the usual usual veg.

A fantastic premise for a cookbook, The Flexible Vegetarian appreciates those of us who aren't strictly vegetarian or vegan. Amazing recipes that my whole, varied family enjoyed. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and the accompanying writing is entertaining, engaging, funny and realistic. Perfect for busy families, those looking for healthy recipes and the Vegetarian-ish folks out there! If you're a Meatless-Monday person, this book is for you!

I liked the style of this book a lot. The photography and design is contemporary and elegant, a beautiful book.

The recipes were excellent, a great idea to make recipes that can be adapted to suit all needs. The store cupboard section was well thought out and provided me some handy ideas of ways to add taste to recipes already make. The variety of recipes is good, some classics and some creative use of ingredients.

A good staple recipe book, that I could imagine keeping on the shelf to be delved into time after time.  

This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review of it.