Passionate Vegetarian Book

This cookbook is my all time favorite of all the many vegetarian cookbooks I have used throughout 14 years of cooking. It is very large but is both cohesive and easily accessible. Her writing too is very clear with an informal style to the stories preceding most recipes that is comfortable and compelling to read (like a conversation among friends). The recipes are delicious and really demonstrate the range of possibilities in homestyle vegetarian cooking. There are recipes made with tofu, seitan, and tempeh (as well as none of the above) and does it all in new and innovative ways that taste great and can't be found in other cookbooks (her angel biscuits are incredible). I think this is key as many cookbooks repeat each other. This one is very original. Having read all her stories and tried several recipes (once I tried a few, I was hooked), I feel as if I have sat down before to have a meal with her in the inn she ran with her late husband. Also, though this is called The Passionate Vegetarian, many of the recipes include easy vegan variations and all recipes include ingredients that are easy to find if not already on hand.