Best Vegetarian/Vegan Thai Recipes (+ gluten-free)!

Beans are a common vegetarian food in many parts of Thailand, and this easy recipe for Curried Chickpeas is definitely one of my personal favorites. I love this dish so much that I sometimes just eat it on its own for lunch (with or without rice). Also makes a great side dish or main course for dinner.

This simple eggplant recipe is aromatic and flavorful, owing to the generous amount of fresh garlic (this also makes it extra healthy). This eggplant recipe works with any type of eggplant - whatever is fresh and available where you live. You can also adjust the spice level, taking it anywhere from mild to spicy hot, according to your liking.

Coconut rice makes a great side dish to accomapany any of the above Thai curries or side dishes. It's simple to put together, and makes any meal extra special. ENJOY!

This saffron rice may just be the easiest rice recipe you'll ever make. Just put together a few ingredients and let them simmer in your rice cooker while you get on with other things. Saffron rice makes a delicious accompaniment to all types of Southeast-Asian and East Indian dishes, but is equally beautiful to serve alongside nearly any Western dish you might be making. ENJOY!

This easy dessert is so exotic and scrumptious tasting, you'll want to make it the next time you're entertaining guests. Although most tapioca puddings take hours to make, this one is ready in 30 minutes or less (I made mine in 15). The fresh mango is optional - you'll find this tapioca pudding equally delicious without it too. ENJOY!

Unlike most fried banana recipes, this one doesn't involve a messy batter. It's surprisingly easy to make, and tastes like restaurant-quality fried bananas. Enjoy them hot from the pan, or add ice cream on the side (vanilla or coconut) for a special Thai dessert that is to-die-for delicious!

Try this fantastically easy recipe for Mango Sorbet! Quick and simple to make, and there's no stove involved. You'll need only a blender or food processor. This sorbet is creamier than most, halfway between sorbet and ice cream, but still light and full of mango flavor.

This Mango Sticky Rice Dessert (Khao Niaow Ma Muang) is a classic Thai dessert and SO very scrumptious. The sticky rice can either be steamed, as they do in Thailand (a colander can be used for this), or you can make it in a pot on your stove (instructions included). You'll love this classic Thai dessert!

This is a pretty gluten-free cake made with sticky rice and rice flour. Makes an exotic treat - great for serving at Christmas due to its bright green coloring (from the pandan paste). ENJOY!

I'm particularly proud of this cake, since it has literally taken me years to get it right! It's made of sticky rice and tapioca flours, and is both gluten and lactose free (it's also vegan). A truly asian dessert, this type of sticky rice cake can be found in many southeast-asian countries, with slight variations according to the region and the chef. Takes a little time to make, but the results are worth it.

This recipe for homemade coconut ice cream is similar to the ones they sell on the street in Thailand. Deliciously "coconutty", you'll be surprised it can be made without a machine. Also healthier than most store-bought ice cream.