I’ve amassed quite a large vegetarian cookbook collection now, but some of my favourites are these retro vegetarian cookbooks I’ve thrifted from op-shops – part hilariously kitsch and part totally useful, sometimes at the same time. These four, all from the nineteen eighties, represent a time when vegetarianism was much more alternative than it is now. This means the pages feature an odd mix of absolutely basic information about any ‘unusual’ food (i.e. pretty much everything), sweeping of-the-moment statements about diet and nutrition, and an oddly intense defensiveness of vegetarianism as a lifestyle choice. But seriously, pick up a vegetarian cookbook next time you are at the op shop, and, once you get past the soft-lit photography, I swear you’ll find some recipes that are real crackers.

The New Vegetarian by Colin Spencer

Published in 1986 (the year of my birth) by the English writer Colin Spencer, this book talks about a ‘new kind of vegetarian cooking’, which focuses on ‘gourmet cooking and healthy living.’ It includes information about how to change to a vegetarian diet, different types of vegetarian diets, and nutritional information about and colour photographs of lots of whole foods (including spices and seeds, herbs and flowers, and nuts and legumes). The book focuses on whole foods and following a natural eating pattern, rather than sticking to the traditional three square meals per day (a fairly revolutionary concept at the time). It has chapters on breads; soups, salads, and light dishes; vegetable side dishes; main meals; purees, sauces, and pickles; desserts; menus for festive occassions; and vegetarian food for babies, children and adolescents. This book is genuinely beautifully colour-photographed – it has barely dated. My top five recipes from The New Vegetarian include: Soupe au Pistou; Leek and Parsely Pate; Pumpkin, Ginger & Potato Gratin; Spiced Potato and Mushroom Pie; and Brown Bread Ice Cream.

The Reluctant Vegetarian Cookbook by Simon Hope

It’s an odd title, isn’t it? I think the concept of the book is to provide more variety to vegetarians who may feel daunted at the prospect of cooking without meat. This book was published in 1985 by UK restauranteur and chef Simon Hope. It includes information about influences on vegetarianism, and about different herbs and vegetables and their preparation. It has chapters on sauces, dressings and dips; starters and salads; bread and pastry; stir-fried vegetables; soups; casseroles; bakes; and sweets and cakes. There’s no photography and only quirky line drawings at the start of each chapter. The recipes are generally short and often really flexible (i.e. the recipe for a salad may include suggestions for five different types of dressings that would match). My top five recipes from The Reluctant Vegetarian Cookbook include: Sour Cream and Spring Onion Dressing; Green Split Pea and Leek Soup; Chickpea and Cauliflower Curry; Sherpherdless Pie; and Honey Pear Custard Pie.

Complete Vegetarian Cookbook by Janet Hunt

Published in 1983 by the prolific UK vegetarian writer Janet Hunt, Complete Vegetarian Cookbook is the earliest of my retro vegetarian cookbook collection. Apart from some basic techniques (such as sprouting grains and making home-made yoghurt), this cookbook doesn’t contain a lot of auxiliary information – it’s all recipes, all the time. This book features lots of fabulously retro colour photography. Containing both vegan and raw food chapters, I think this book must’ve been quite ‘out there’ for the time. It also includes chapters on sunshine breakfasts (aw); super soups and starters; main dishes; light lunches and snacks; sauces, butters, and spreads; happy endings; menus for special occasions; and recipes for children and adolescents. My top five recipes from Complete Vegetarian Cookbook include: Potato and Broad Bean Salad; Cauliflower Cheese de Luxe; Lentil-Stuffed Zucchinis; Winter Vegetable Stew; and Gingerbread Sandwiches.

Classic Vegetarian Cooking by Jean and Sue Easthope

Classic Vegetarian Cooking was published in 1986 by the Australian aunt-niece vegetarian duo Jean and Sue Easthope. The book features lots of nutritional information – it’s all about the vitamins and minerals. It contains chapters on appetisers and entrees; sauces and soups; main dishes; vegetable side dishes; and salads. Desserts are controversially omitted. However, they are made up for by a chapter dedicated to the gluten steak, which seems like a fairly disgusting invention. Large and in charge, Classic Vegetarian Cooking features a clear, timeless layout accompanied by lots of close-up retro colour photography. My top five recipes include: Cheese and Potato Pasties; French Onion Soup; Cottage Cheese and Herb Balls; Atoifi Pumpkin; and Stuffed Vegetable Marrow.

Do you have any favourite retro vegetarian recipes or cookbooks?