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Vegetarian cooking does not have to be complicated. In fact, it can be very fun, educational and liberating. To know that you have just cooked a delicious and healthy meatless meal for your family can give you the boost of confidence you need to tackle and try any vegetarian or vegan recipe you discover.

Making sure your kitchen is well equipped with certain items will provide you with more flexibility and options to prepare your meatless food items and allows you to be creative with the vegetarian and vegan dishes you decide to cook. Here are a list of 5 must have appliances to get you enjoying vegetarian cooking.

• Culinary Knives – Great knives are a must have for chopping and dicing your fresh fruits and vegetables. Don't be shy about spending a couple of bucks on good knives. Cheap and dull knives can become a safety hazard while trying to prepare fresh produce. You don't want to run the risk of injuring a finger while cooking do you?. What fun would that be?

• Food Processor – If you are not in to manual labor, the food processor is a great option to help you chop and dice nuts, vegetables, fruits, herbs, and plenty more. A food processor will also come in handy when you are preparing dips, spreads, and sauces.

• Blender – Blenders are not just for smoothies. There are so many other tasty meatless foods that a blender can help you create. Blenders are great for whipping up sauces, dressings for fresh salads, and soups.

• Juicer – This is a no brainer. To really get the nutrients, vitamins, and fiber from fruits and vegetables, you need to consume produce in its freshest form. Using a juicer allows you to "drink" your fresh produce and enjoy the great tastes of your creation all at one time.

• Steamer – Steamers are a life, time, and energy saver. An all inclusive steamer can steam everything from grains to vegetables. You will use less water and energy when using a steamer to cook your favorite produce and rice. If you are a pesco-tarian, you can even use the steamer to prepare your fresh seafood.

• Crockpot/Slow Cooker – Do you have a favorite vegetarian chili recipe that you haven't had time to cook?Or maybe you are in the mood for some navy beans and rice for dinner, but you can't wait two hours to wait to eat. A crockpot or slow cooker is truly a "set it and forget it" appliance that will let you put all your ingredients in one pot, set the time and temperature, and tend to other items on your "to do list," while your wholesome dinner is slowly cooking. Excellent for busy vegetarians and vegans on the go.

There are so many other gadgets and "knick-knacks" available to help you get used to cooking healthy and satisfying vegetarian and vegan meals from your home all while retaining essential nutrients and vitamins vegetarians need. This small list of kitchen gadgets and appliances will help ease the process of making healthy and wholesome foods.

You may already have a couple of these appliances stashed away in a cabinets somewhere. If you do, then pull them out, wipe away the dust, and become reacquainted with the benefits of using these tools to cook your next meatless supper. If you don't have any of these resources, then by all means, do some research and start collecting some of these essentials. This just gives you another reason to shop.

There are no guarantees that by using these vegetarian friendly gadgets, you will be featured on the next episode of "Iron Chef," but these must have appliances will get you great reviews and the title of "your family's favorite vegetarian and vegan cook."

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