Berley defines flexitarian as a vegetarian who occasionally eats fish or meat, or someone who is not a vegetarian but enjoys vegetarian meals. You’ll no longer need to cook multiple dishes to meet everyone’s specific dietary preferences. His “convertible” recipes can be made with vegetables and/or meat; “White Beans/Shrimp with Brown Butter and Tons of Herbs,” for example, allows the reader to select either shrimp or white beans as the main ingredient.

Incorporate more whole grains into your diet with Sass’ easy-to-follow recipes. She first explains how to cook using dozens of whole grains, some familiar, others less known. The second half of the book contains unique recipes that feature whole grains, such as “Quinoa Cake with Crystallized Ginger,” “Popcorn-crusted Catfish” and “Hominy Minestrone with Basil Pesto.”

Learn about the benefits of adopting a raw-food diet and lifestyle from two experts in the field. Kenney and Melngailis share recipes from Pure Food and Wine, their popular Manhattan restaurant. Their light vegetarian dishes include the restaurant’s signature “Zucchini and Green Zebra Tomato Lasagna” as well as “Golden Squash Pasta with Black Summer Truffles” and “Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart with Vanilla Cream.”

Invite guests of all ages into your kitchen to prepare food and crafts based on themed playdates, such as “Dinner Swap,” “Spice Treasure” and “Slumber.” Deen provides fun and practical ways to spend time with family and friends while cooking up a feast. The recipes are sophisticated enough for adults but appeal to younger tastes too. The “Bacon-Wrapped Meat Loaf with Secret Spinach” and “Chocolate Play Dough” are both winners. Each recipe includes tips for cooking with kids.

The Vegetable Dishes I Can't Live Without

Katzen, who’s celebrating the 30th anniversary of her Moosewood Cookbook, has written a winner again with this book of her favorite “pro vegetable” dishes that are so delicious and hearty that even the staunchest carnivore won’t miss the meat. Make multiple recipes for an entirely vegetarian meal, or simply make one dish to complement main meals. Katzen’s recipes are uncomplicated to prepare and could immediately become a family favorite after just one serving. Standouts include “Spaghetti Squash Pancakes” and “Zucchini Mint Croquettes.”

Feed the family simple and healthy food using recipes from Mom-a-licious. Catelli’s dishes are easy, innovative twists on classic foods. For example, kids will love the sweet flavors in the “Butternut Squash Penne,” everyone will enjoy a new approach to an old vegetable with “Smashed Roasted Cauliflower and Herbs,” and there’s even a section for homemade baby food.