Ask Katie VEGETARIAN RECIPES Collection

For years, I cooked almost exclusively vegetarian and vegan food. Long before Ask Katie existed, I learned how to build flavour from vegetables, beans, grains, herbs, spices, and good technique rather than relying on meat to do all the heavy lifting. Even though I now cook and eat everything, that approach never left me.

These vegetarian recipes reflect the way I still think about food today. Vegetables are not an afterthought, a side dish, or something to push around the plate while you get to the “real” food. They are often the star of the meal. Whether it is a hearty bean stew, a satisfying pasta, a seasonal salad, or a comforting bowl of soup, the goal is always the same: create dishes that are generous, flavourful, and genuinely satisfying.

You will also notice that this collection is divided into two sections. The first contains recipes that are naturally vegetarian exactly as written. The second features recipes that can become vegetarian with a few simple adjustments. That distinction is important because it reflects how I cook in real life. Many of my meals begin with vegetables and pantry staples, with meat or fish added only when it makes sense rather than serving as the foundation of the dish.

If you are vegetarian, I hope these recipes prove that meatless cooking can be comforting, substantial, and full of character. If you are not vegetarian, I hope they offer a reminder that great food does not need meat at every meal to feel complete.

After all, even someone who loves a good braai as much as I do knows that some of the best things on the table are often the vegetables.