I'm a veggie and celiac too! I roast a lot of veggies on Sunday and reheat them throughout the week. I don't mind plain steamed broccoli and cauliflower. I buy frozen bags and just put them in the microwave when I get home. Do you have a Mexican restaurant near you? The restaurants near me mostly use corn based products. I agree with other posters here. Amy's frozen dinners are a life saver and omelets for dinner are great. It's an adjustment but I learned to love cooking for myself. I found it to be really stressful ordering out and waiting to get sick. PM me if you want! I'm happy to talk about my experiences.
I found this book to be really helpful.
The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook: A Fresh Guide to Eating Well With 700 Foolproof Recipes
I love love love this cookbook. They have a ton of amazon vegetable recipes, sides and mains and its easy enough to cut back on the oil. I cook out of it 3-4 times a week and have never really been disappointed by the meals.
America’s test kitchen is great but most of their recipes are behind a pay wall. Epicurious and Bon Appetite are the same company and both have delicious recipes but they aren’t necessarily for beginners. All three of those groups have recipes on YouTube.
I would avoid most blogs which have no real quality control or a way of really testing their recipes unless the blogger is a pro chef.
Tasty is dreadful. They focus more on novelty than flavor.
You mentioned you prefer vegetarian/vegan this is my favorite veg cook book everything I’ve tried from this book has been delicious.
This sub has never heard of cookbooks. There are hundreds of excellent vegetarian cookbooks that are so easy to find at any bookstore. This one just came out this year and it is fantastic and very broad.
Minimalist Baker is amazing. Also look up Thug Kitchen cookbooks (if you don't mind cursing). The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook: A Fresh Guide to Eating Well With 700 Foolproof Recipes https://www.amazon.com/dp/1936493969/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YJe8DbPDGXTAA
They also have an ATK vegan book (which would be best for lactose free cooking).
I've used a lot of Minimalist Baker recipe and Thug Kitchen. I've just heard really great things about ATK.
And here are some of our favorite recipes: https://minimalistbaker.com/5-minute-vegan-cashew-queso/ https://passtheplants.com/vegan-cheeseburger-soup/ https://www.rabbitandwolves.com/vegan-white-lasagna-soup/
https://minimalistbaker.com/1-pot-vegan-minestrone-gluten-free/
https://www.rabbitandwolves.com/garlic-buffalo-brussels-sprouts-vegan/
https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/melty-stretchy-gooey-vegan-mozarella/ (for pizza)
https://plantbasedonabudget.com/recipe/bbq-cauliflower-bites/
https://www.thelocalvegan.com/recipe-items/bbq-bean-sandwiches-and-smokey-green-beans/
https://minimalistbaker.com/simple-deep-dish-pizza/
Adding to this, check out America's Test Kitchen The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook. The first section of the book is all about how to cut, use, and cook different vegetables. Check to see if your local library has it. Budget Bytes also has some great and really easy to follow recipes.
Start with a great cookbook. I own this one and recommend it highly (not an affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Vegetarian-Cookbook-Foolproof-Recipes/dp/1936493969
I am a huge fan of America's test kitchen, and they have their own vegetarian cookbook. It gives some nice blurbs about why the recipes work and also some prep instructions. Jack Bishop of ATK also has a few vegetarian cookbooks as well (his Italian one is particularly good imo).
Another rec, is How to Cook Everything Vegetarian. It's a massive book and as you can expect a ton of recipes. I feel this one is a good book for getting the starting fundamentals. The recipes aren't "blow your mind" good, but they are solid especially for getting the basics down.
Yes! Honestly, this cookbook is amazing .. it really has great options!
Some resources for entree recipes for someone new to vegetarian cooking...
https://www.mondaycampaigns.org/meatless-monday/recipes
The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook
How to Cook Everything Vegetarian
And here are a few recipes that come from sites w/ lots of other recipes to explore:
Easy Moroccan Vegetable Tagine
Lentil and Mushroom Shepherds Pie
Red Lentil Butternut Squash Curry
Vegan Sausage Pepper Ragu over Polenta
​
Also, if you are following here and r/veganrecipes you'll get a lot of ideas.
When I go out with friends I call the restaurant first to see if I can eat there. If I can't I just eat at home beforehand. Are you choosing not to go out when they go to a place without any options for you? Also the city I live (Philadelphia) in is very GF friendly. I am lucky in the sense that some of my friends understand cross contamination and know how to cook for me. If I decide last minute to go to a meal that they are hosting they give me the heads up that there won't be any food for me. Either they cook me rice really fast or I eat beforehand. I also bring my own food to a lot of friend's meals. I'd rather bring my own food then chance it and get sick. No one has any issues with that.
​
Why can't your friends/roommates wait for you to finish cooking to start their meal? Can you make your food before them? Sometimes I make food and freeze it. Putting it in the microwave while your roomates are cooking should be okay. Unfortunately, from this small post it seems like your friends don't really care whether you eat with them or not. They seem very selfish.
​
I know that gluten free cooking can be AMAZING. Pre covid I was hosting 20-45 people for dinner once a month. I cooked about 90% of the food. Every single item was GF/vegetarian/kosher. About half of the dishes were vegan as well. I never had left overs. People asked for recipes and took food home with them. I like cookbooks better than websites. The beginning chapters in these cookbooks have information about ingredients/gluten free cooking/helpful tricks. I find that this additional information is helpful in my day to day cooking as well. ANYTHING by America's Test Kitchen is awesome! I have about 15 cookbooks but these are my favorites. I primarily use these websites/cook books:
​
This is the best one
The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook: A Fresh Guide to Eating Well With 700 Foolproof Recipes
​
Vegetables Illustrated: An Inspiring Guide with 700+ Kitchen-Tested Recipes
​
The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook: Revolutionary Techniques. Groundbreaking Recipes.
​
This is the best dessert cookbook
Gluten-Free Vegan Baking for Every Occasion: 75 Classics and New Creations to Celebrate
​
I just bought this one. I like the two desserts that I've made
Bakerita: 100+ No-Fuss Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Refined Sugar-Free Recipes for the Modern Baker
​
I've been following her for years. She has a cookbook that I bought but I like her website better.
​
DM me if you have any other questions or would like other recommendations! Good luck!
​
edit: some of my friends keep GF pasta/rice at their apartment for me
I highly recommend this cookbook . Tons of recipes of all different kinds and nearly everything I’ve tried from it has been really delicious.
I have too many to list. I love a whole bowl and eat it regularly, recipe: http://triedandtasty.com/the-whole-bowl-copycat-portland/
Also buy this cookbook: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Vegetarian-Cookbook-Americas-Kitchen/dp/1936493969
Its the best! I cook out of it 3-5 times a week.
I recently picked up The Complete Vegetarian. The few things I've made so far have been really good, I also like how much extra info it contains.