After you start with the basics, here are some sources for MORE recipes sources. I am only listing ones that I am familiar with. There are so many new WFPB/ Whole Food Plant Based or Starch Based resources Some are also listed as vegan.
It is easy to get lost in information overload. Look for recipes that include a starch or balance your menu so there are starch options at each meal.
The slippery side of oil.
If you find some recipes that sound good but use oil, consider omitting the oil. I don’t consider oil a whole food. I do understand it is hard to avoid sometimes, and cutting it out as much as possible. Sometimes you can replace oil with aquafaba, or other liquids like water, veggie broth, lemon juice, balsamic, etc. or by adding in other natural whole food fats (avocado) or lower fats like squash, applesauce, prunes. I have had good results using baby food purees in baking In many recipes. Another option is using less oil, maybe 1/2. Find the balance that works for you and listen to your body. This may be less of a concern once you reach your health goals. I like limiting my oil use because it makes washing dishes easier and my body feels better with less.
There are enough options that you can create a menu for a week. Or keep it simple like I do and make the fancy meals on the weekend, while eating cereal, soup, steamed potatoes, and rice and beans casseroles during the week.
Apps:
Dr. McDougall Mobile Cookbook
Vegan WFPB Recipes Hackberry Foods
My most used cookbooks:
The Quick and Easy McDougall Cookbook by Dr. John McDougall and Mary McDougall. is my favorite Mcdougall recipe book. I love the way this one is laid out in simple, easy to read, easy to make form. Don’t forget to download the McDougall recipe site for easy access to the ALL the McDougall recipes! Mary is the original pioneer of Starch-based cooking!!
Be a Plant Based Warrior Woman Cookbook by Jane Esselstyn and Ann Crine Esselstyn. First. I recommend watching these two on YouTube.THey are the daughter and wife of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, author of Reversing Heart Disease. It is wonderful to see the love between this family! The spiral bound edition cost a little more but is really handy to have when cooking. We love the sweet potato lasagna, the Kung Pao Chickpeas, and the Amaretto cookies. This is a treasured WFPB cookbook that belongs on every shelf! PS. Their brother/son Rip owns Plantstrong, which a wonderful site for plant based products like pizza crusts, and baking mixes, like pancakes or cornbread, as well as other handy products which help you get good food on the table in short order!
My favorite websites for recipes:
Eatplant-based.com. This website is run by a wonderful lady named Terri Edwards who knows her way in the kitchen! She has pages and pages of your favorite food and she does keep the fat to a minimum. She trained with Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and has many palette pleasing recipes. This is one site that I use frequently. Don’t miss her sauces, homemade Mayo, and even a grilled cheese sandwich! Her salads are perfect for taking to potlucks or get togthers. She also has familiar treats like a versatile Chex Mix recipe ( I made a cinnamon sugar version that was a huge hit!), chocolate mousse, mug cake (chocolate or vanilla), just to name a few. It is this site that helped me realize tofu is a valuable food that can adapt to many forms.
BrandNewVegan.com- Best Buffalo Cauliflower wings Smoky Vegan Carrot dogs, Smoky Maple Tofu Bacon and the Best Damn Vegan Chili. This is “happy man” food! Chuck Underwood has taken everyday favorites and made them WFPB and delicious! He also published a small cookbook called Comfort Food Classics that he sells on his site. Check out his Easy Deviled potatoes! mmmm!
FatManRants.com- Husband and wife team,Tim and Heather Kaufmann run this site and feature Flourish, where they sell soup packets. It is so convenient to cook in the instant pot. They used to run a cafe and Sunday night online demonstrations of their best recipes. They make cooking simple and fun. Their stories are inspiring and their motto is practical; “All you gotta do is a little more than yesterday.”
Monkeyandmekitchenadventures.com never disappoints. These are consistently impressive recipes from a Mother-daughter team, Ameera and Robin. We LOVE their pierogi casserole- which is shells stuffed with seasoned mashed potatoes. There is a white sauce, but I like a red sauce on it too. They have amazing desserts- we are talking baked goods like muffins and cookies. I will list more of my favorites when I list categories and hopefully links where possible. Don’t forget to check out their blog and over a hundred menu planning ideas with shopping lists!
