Rating: 
Summary: skip this book
Review: I've just finished making the third recipe from this book, and once again it turned out yuck. Each has had the wrong amounts( the vegetable samosas had 3 times the ammount of filling for the wrappers), or neglects key instructions (such as don't let the pumpkin ravioli touch or they will stick together horribly). Once you spend alot of time, even if it magically turns out ok, the finished product is only so-so. Stick with the Moosewood books for beginner vegetarian cooking.
Rating:
Summary: Don't judge this book by it's cover
Review: Like the majority of vegetarian cookbooks out there, this one is full of "gourmet" recipes featuring expensive ingredients. Some of the recipes are noteworthy, like the lentil burgers, but for the most part, save your money, there are better cookbooks available.
Rating: 
Summary: Flavorful, Creative, and Satisfying
Review: My first vegetarian cookbook was no more than fifty pages long and one of those book subscriptions from Time-Life publications. That book taught me more about vegetarian cooking than the Vegetarian Times Complete Cookbook. I rarely use VTCC. If I do, it's probably under the circumstances that I've lost my creativity and there isn't a piece of living room furniture that's wobbling, but even then I'll use VTCC just as a blueprint for leftovers crowding my fridge. Perhaps with the emphasis on nutrition and the efforts to depart from Non-American (actually, even American) vegetarian cooking styles, the book ends up pretty tedious and "tasteless." If you feel you must buy it, please borrow it from a fellow vegetarian first - they probably have it somewhere as a doorstop or something. If you're thinking of buying it as a present, take my word as a former gift recipient of the book: "you shouldn't have, really."
Rating:
Summary: You can live without it...
Review: My first vegetarian cookbook was no more than fifty pages long and one of those book subscriptions from Time-Life publications. That book taught me more about vegetarian cooking than the Vegetarian Times Complete Cookbook. I rarely use VTCC. If I do, it's probably under the circumstances that I've lost my creativity and there isn't a piece of living room furniture that's wobbling, but even then I'll use VTCC just as a blueprint for leftovers crowding my fridge. Perhaps with the emphasis on nutrition and the efforts to depart from Non-American (actually, even American) vegetarian cooking styles, the book ends up pretty tedious and "tasteless." If you feel you must buy it, please borrow it from a fellow vegetarian first - they probably have it somewhere as a doorstop or something. If you're thinking of buying it as a present, take my word as a former gift recipient of the book: "you shouldn't have, really."
Rating: 
Summary: Good introduction and handbook to vegetarian cuisine
Review: My wife and I wanted to explore vegetarian cooking. We wanted an intro cookbook that would not preach at us, not try to make us vegans, and not get into all sorts of explanations of minerals, vitamin supplements, and additives. Just a cookbook with answers to background questions about going meatless. After some searching, we found this is book and feel grateful to have discovered it.It starts off by looking at issues like how to get enough protein in your diet, how to make sure you're still getting a balanced meal, and what can happen if you don't eat correctly. It then adds a history of vegetarianism (Who knew vegetarians were called Pythagoreans until the mid-19th century?) Once these introductory chapters are done, the book launches in to the recipe section with careful and useful explanations about the different areas to explore. It's readable and definitely approachable even for non-cooks. Numerous recipes are highlighted full-color pictures of the dishes. In addition, each recipe shows the calories, protein, and fat composition of the dish. This is as complete, friendly, and approachable introduction to vegetarianism as I have seen. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Whatever happened to something that tastes good?
Review: The writer of this book is actually a former editor of the magazizine. it seems she looked over old, untried recipies of the magazine, added some tips (that weren't very complete) about being a veg, and just stuck them all together and called it a good cookbook. I am a college student who just turned veg. when I finally actually get time on vacation to cook something from this, my first cookbook, it really tastes horrible. And if you're just starting out, this is not the book for you, it will make you have an aversion to vegetarian foods. Plus you'll be mad that you wasted money on the ingredients.
Rating:
Summary: not for the casual vegetarian
Review: This book was compiled by people who assume that if you're a vegetarian, you must be so obsessed with your diet that you're willing to spend unlimited amounts of money and time searching for ingredients and cooking in the kitchen. I was surprised that, despite all the exotic spices, this is some of the blandest food I have ever tasted. I haven't tried all the recipes yet (I haven't had time for most of them), but I'm losing faith in the odds of finding something I'll be willing to eat more than once. I wouldn't recommend this book for a beginner or part-time vegetarian. It's not very easy to use, and not much worth the trouble. (And if you don't live near a health-food or ethnic food store, you will have trouble finding some of the required ingredients.) Also, the nutritional information in the beginning is not completely accurate. Vegetarianism is a healthy and ethical lifestyle, but you shouldn't have to rely on bad science to justify your dietary habits!
Rating:
Summary: If you are going to buy one vegetarian cookbook, this is it!
Review: This cookbook has recipes for fancy dinners to serve the "boss" and quick 30 minute meals to throw together
after work. I got it about two months ago and I am thrilled with it. All of the recipes have been yummy and easy. One 30 minute favorite, "Black Bean Polenta Pizza" is not to be missed! My son asked me to make it when a
friend came over for dinner.(The ultimate compliment). The Vegetarian Times Complete Cookbook costs a few more bucks, but it's worth it. This cookbook has everything you need to make quick, lowfat vegetarian meals your family (and friends)
will love.
Rating: 
Summary: Fairly good basic vegetarian cookbook
Review: This cookbook, with its introduction to the concept of vegetarianism, seems geared toward the new vegetarian or to a non-vegetarian who must cook for one. Most of the recipes are fairly simple but there are some, such as Scattered Sushi with Five Colors, that require considerable preparation time and specialized ingredients. As a vegan pointed out to me, many of the dishes rely on cheese and dairy products, making it unsuitable for vegans, although there is a small section (14 recipes) devoted to soy-based dishes. You'll also find sections on Under Thirty Minute Meals, Desserts, and Vegetarian Main Dishes. All in all, this is a decent basic vegetarian cookbook. It contains nothing extraordinary, but it does often vegetarians a wide range of recipes to choose from.
Rating:
Summary: Fairly good basic vegetarian cookbook
Review: This cookbook, with its introduction to the concept of vegetarianism, seems geared toward the new vegetarian or to a non-vegetarian who must cook for one. Most of the recipes are fairly simple but there are some, such as Scattered Sushi with Five Colors, that require considerable preparation time and specialized ingredients. As a vegan pointed out to me, many of the dishes rely on cheese and dairy products, making it unsuitable for vegans, although there is a small section (14 recipes) devoted to soy-based dishes. You'll also find sections on Under Thirty Minute Meals, Desserts, and Vegetarian Main Dishes. All in all, this is a decent basic vegetarian cookbook. It contains nothing extraordinary, but it does often vegetarians a wide range of recipes to choose from.
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