The top vegetarian cookbooks of 2017 to inspire your meal plans

We've gathered together some of the best vegetarian cookbooks so you can try new delicious and diverse recipes.

A recent Spanish study found that a diet that reduces or even excludes meat in favour of vegetables, fruits and grains could halve your chances of becoming obese.

Check out these healthy recipes:

• Spiced chai smoothie bowl recipe
• Bo's Kitchen raw hazelnut brownies with chocolate ganache recipe
• Wholefood summer salad recipes you'll love

And with recent stats suggesting around 1.2 million people in the UK have gone meat-free, it's a perfect time to mix up your diet and try some beautiful veggie recipes.

Even if you don’t leave out the whole hog (excuse the pun), it's great to have an arsenal of veggie recipes on the back burner to inspire your meals.

Blissful Basil by Ashley Melillo

Blissful Basil, from the lovely Ashley Melillo, brings you over 100 plant-powered recipes to unearth vibrancy, health and happiness – all of which we fully agree with. Being a school psychologist by day and a vegan food blogger by night, Ashley is fascinated with the way that diet and lifestyle choices affect our physical, cognitive and emotional wellness.

Blissful Basil focuses on creative combinations of whole foods to bring out the best flavours in plants – perfect for vegans, vegetarians and if you're on a meat-free day; what’s more, most of the recipes are gluten-free, soy-free and free from refined sugars. Why not try her super easy heirloom tomato and supersede pesto pasta, or indulge in her cosmically fudgy cacao-tahini brownies? By bringing a splash of creativity and love to your table you will make you table a blissful place filled with wonderful food to rejuvenate your body and enhance your wellbeing.

Blissful Basil, published by BenBella Books, Inc, available from Amazon

Saffron Soul by Mira Manek

Saffron Soul by Mira Manek is all about healthy, vegetarian and heritage recipes from India. Nothing quite says comfort food like a tasty and delicious curry, but it's had a bad rap as not necessarily the healthiest cuisine. Mira has developed vibrant recipes with a lighter and fresher take on earthy home cooking. Going back to her roots and inspired by her mother and grandmother’s cooking, she takes the basic lentil, vegetable, grain and most importantly spices, which are brimming with health benefits, and together creates a perfect balance.

By cutting down on the oils and fats associated with a curry, Mira has also recreated some favourites but replaced traditional grains and sugars with healthier alternatives. We love the story behind the dishes, as well as the old family photographs that add a lovely personal touch.

Saffron Soul published by Jacqui Small, available from Amazon

Hippie Lane

If you love buying books for their seriously beautiful imagery, or are addicted to Instagram flat lays, then you are sure to be obsessed with Taline Gabrielian from Hippie Lane’s cookbook. Hippie Lane is all about the coming together of people, friends and family over a delicious spread of wholesome food where there is a shared passion for health and wellbeing. Taline uses her Armenian heritage in creating flavours that not only look too good to eat, but also nourish the mind, body and soul.

One of the best things about this book is that although health is at the heart, so are desserts! Indulge in peanut butter swirl chocolate cookies, tiramisu or salty caramel tart all in the knowledge they are gluten-free and free from refined sugar – bliss.

Hippie Lane, published by Murdoch Books available from Amazon

Love Real Food: More than 100 Feel-Good Vegetarian Favourites to Delight the Senses and Nourish the Body

From the talented lady who has brought you her wonderful blog: Cookie and Kate, Kathryne Taylor has launched her first book staying true to her fabulous motto “celebrating whole foods”. A fabulous collection of nutritious yet delicious veggie recipes for all times of the day, delivered in a friendly style that reassures every home cook they are capable of making each and every dish.

Recipes start with healthy breakfasts to kick start your day, plus amazing West African peanut soup for lunch washed down with a creamy cashew chai latte, to an even tastier peanut butter chocolate chip cookie (which is also totally healthy!). You're bound to find a massive array of gorgeous recipes to inspire even the novice of cooks.

Love Real Food: More than 100 Feel-Good Vegetarian Favourites to Delight the Senses and Nourish the Body, published by Rodale and available to preorder from Amazon