Rating: 
Summary: You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this book.
Review: "A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat." - An old Yiddish saying. Obviously a labor of love, what delightful reading Vegetarian Planet is! The love and respect Didi Emmons feels for vegetarian cooking abounds on every page. And as I started reading, the smile on my face just grew bigger and bigger. The quote found at the beginning of Vegetarian Planet seemed to set the tone for the entire cookbook. Each and every recipe is prefaced by a personal anecdote like the one about Ms. Emmons' best friend Amy that accompanies the "Homestyle Brown Rice Pilaf" recipe. As I prepared the recipe and subsequently enjoyed it, I thought of Ms. Emmons and Amy eating it together. And just like they both said, it is the "perfect comfort food." Agreeing with them, I smiled again! I also enjoyed the "Spanish Swiss Chard with Raisins and Hazelnuts" recipe. I took Didi's advice and served it over that wonderful grain, quinoa. I had been looking for an opportunity to use quinoa and this worked perfectly. It was very simple and delicious. I smiled once again. The book is sprinkled with witty and informative tidbits from "Herbs 101 - When to Add Them" to "Color Coding Bell Peppers" to "Squirrel Away Your Bread." Therein, I believe, lies the magic of this wonderful cookbook. Ms. Emmons demonstrates to the average cook -- longing to cook healthier and with more variety -- that we no longer have to be afraid. We, too, can cook "Poblano and Jack Cheese Pizza," "Penne with Ancho Peppers, Tomatoes, and Corn" or "Stuffed Zucchini."
Rating:
Summary: You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this book.
Review: "A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat." - An old Yiddish saying. Obviously a labor of love, what delightful reading Vegetarian Planet is! The love and respect Didi Emmons feels for vegetarian cooking abounds on every page. And as I started reading, the smile on my face just grew bigger and bigger. The quote found at the beginning of Vegetarian Planet seemed to set the tone for the entire cookbook. Each and every recipe is prefaced by a personal anecdote like the one about Ms. Emmons' best friend Amy that accompanies the "Homestyle Brown Rice Pilaf" recipe. As I prepared the recipe and subsequently enjoyed it, I thought of Ms. Emmons and Amy eating it together. And just like they both said, it is the "perfect comfort food." Agreeing with them, I smiled again! I also enjoyed the "Spanish Swiss Chard with Raisins and Hazelnuts" recipe. I took Didi's advice and served it over that wonderful grain, quinoa. I had been looking for an opportunity to use quinoa and this worked perfectly. It was very simple and delicious. I smiled once again. The book is sprinkled with witty and informative tidbits from "Herbs 101 - When to Add Them" to "Color Coding Bell Peppers" to "Squirrel Away Your Bread." Therein, I believe, lies the magic of this wonderful cookbook. Ms. Emmons demonstrates to the average cook -- longing to cook healthier and with more variety -- that we no longer have to be afraid. We, too, can cook "Poblano and Jack Cheese Pizza," "Penne with Ancho Peppers, Tomatoes, and Corn" or "Stuffed Zucchini."
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Every Saturday I plan my week of menus. I usually search through countless books, writing down ingredients to prepare for my trip to the market. I bought Didi's book two weeks ago and it has been the only one I have used. Her format is wonderful. The recipes are easy and incredibly creative. I use the book for hearty breakfasts, big lunches and light dinners (for the latter, may I suggest "African Tomato and Peanut Soup" served with brown rice and a light egg bread) With the left over egg bread, make the "Portuguese Sweet Bread French Toast" I haven't had real Portuguese Sweet bread since I left Boston. sigh. I usually find vegetarian cookbooks very bland and end up adding all sorts of extra spices. This is certainly not true of "Vegetarian Planet" Give it a try, you will be very glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: Delicious, easy and veggie!
Review: Finally a good vegetarian cookbook!
I have always cooked somewhat vegetarian, even though I am still a part-time carnivore, and most of the veggie recipes I have come across were from Italian, Thai, Chinese and Indian cookbooks.
However, what I wanted was a collection of recipes that were CREATIVE, DELICIOUS and MODERATELY complex. (I can't count how many "vegetarian" cookbooks I have picked up that have 3-4 item "recipes" for baked and mashed potatoes.)
Enter "Vegetarian Planet", the first thing that struck me was how creative the recipes are, and how Didi creates delicious recipes with very little difficulty. Most of the recipes in this book take about 10-15 (easy to procure) ingredients. I found this book to contain lots of practical recipes that can be completed in 20-30 minutes.
I don't know if Didi intended this to be so 'practical' or 'useful' of a cookbook, but she is very good about pointing out recipes that may take a little extra effort to complete. If you are a veggie, and want to add some truly gourmet dining experiences to your week, pick up this book...you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Delicious, easy and veggie!
Review: Finally a good vegetarian cookbook! I have always cooked somewhat vegetarian, even though I am still a part-time carnivore, and most of the veggie recipes I have come across were from Italian, Thai, Chinese and Indian cookbooks. However, what I wanted was a collection of recipes that were CREATIVE, DELICIOUS and MODERATELY complex. (I can't count how many "vegetarian" cookbooks I have picked up that have 3-4 item "recipes" for baked and mashed potatoes.) Enter "Vegetarian Planet", the first thing that struck me was how creative the recipes are, and how Didi creates delicious recipes with very little difficulty. Most of the recipes in this book take about 10-15 (easy to procure) ingredients. I found this book to contain lots of practical recipes that can be completed in 20-30 minutes. I don't know if Didi intended this to be so 'practical' or 'useful' of a cookbook, but she is very good about pointing out recipes that may take a little extra effort to complete. If you are a veggie, and want to add some truly gourmet dining experiences to your week, pick up this book...you won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: A Tangle of So-So Recipes
Review: First, the good news: the cinnamon cookie recipe is great. Now for the rest: 1) layout is terrible - page numbers obscured by crosshatching, recipes that continue two pages away (because of a special section), 2) the recipes are very mediocre to bad - tried the Mexican chipotle lasagne (a family consensus of yuck), tried the stacked crepes with mushrooms (a lot of effort for mediocre results), tried the kim chee without fermentation (two bites and into the garbage).
Rating:
Summary: Delicious, creative recipes
Review: Great combination of advanced and basic vegetarian recipes. My favorite recipes have been in the tortilla madness chapter. The enchiladas are unique and very tasty. The stacked tortillas and chilaquiles are perfect for weeknight dinners. This is a book I am really enjoying cooking my way through, and I know I will use for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: the best veg book in my collection of over 500 books
Review: Hi! I've just gotta say Vegetarian Planet is one of my all time favorite cookbooks. I have a vegetarian restuarant in Bethel, Maine and this book has become our "Bible".The recipes rock. I particularly like the informational side bars. The stories heading into each dish are fun to read. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to break out of the ho-hum beige and boring old style vegetarian cooking. This book will send your tastebuds soaring across the planet!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book for the beginning vegetarian
Review: I became a vegetarian about 4 months ago. I bought about 10 vegetarian cookbooks so that I would have plenty of choices. This book has become my favorite. The recipes vary from simple to elaborate. There are also plenty of recipes that aren't intimidating to new vegetarians. Didi includes plenty of sidebar articles about different foods and cooking techniques. What a great cookbook! UPDATE: I've been a vegetarian for about 2 1/2 years now and this is still my favorite vegetarian book (My wife's favorite too!)
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic All-Purpose Book
Review: I bought this book several years ago, and is one that I will not depart with. This book combines receipes of practical every-day fare, to the more extravagant and seasonal dishes. There are receipes for nearly every budget. The dishes have satisfied every whim that I've had, from comfort foods to exotic. The biggest plus about this book is that the techniques are laid out in an easy format, and then one could switch ingredients around with whatever is on hand in the kitchen. [Like for the Paparadelle with Herbed Asparagus Sauce, I used Fettucine and Sun-Dried Tomato & Garlic in the sauce instead]. My favorites are Reina's Pupusas, made with masa, squash, and jack cheese, All-American pot pie, Crispy Rosemary Potatoes, Ziti with Roasted Garlic and Squash Sauce, and the wonderful Pizzas. This is one worthwhile investment that's great for families and single people.
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