Every more or less educated person knows that within the past generation Asian vegetarian recipes have become quite popular in different countries of the world (not only in Asia). It won't be an exaggeration to say that exciting combinations of flavor and textures of Asian vegetarian recipes makes Asian dishes a particularly outstanding choice for those seeking for a change. Speaking about Asian vegetarian recipes, it's necessary to pay attention to cooking peculiarities in Malaysia, Philippines, China, South and North India. As a matter of fact, Indian vegetarianism goes back to the late Vedic period (1000 B.C.). At that time, eating meat was considered to be offensive against ancestors. It's interesting to admit that the majority of Indian people still avoid eating meat for religious reasons while most other Asians have normal attitude to consuming meat (especially flesh). Fortunately, Asian vegetarian recipes are easily accommodated to common vegetarian preferences generally preferred by vegetarians. It's impossible to speak about Asian vegetarian recipes and not to tell you some words about each of the mentioned countries and peculiarities of vegetarian cooking there. So, it's a common knowledge that Philippines are an archipelago consisting of approximately seven thousand islands. The principal source of sustenance there is the sea. By the way, sea was one of the major factors which brought people form various regions of the world who changed the common diet of the natives. Nowadays Philippine cuisine is considered to be the mix of Spanish and Chinese influences. It's necessary to note that each region in Philippines (for example, Mindinao or Cebu) has a slightly different style in cooking as well. The sour flavors there are often mixed with various noodles (which were brought by the Chinese vegetarian food). But in the end there can be a meal concluded with something sweet which is likely to reflect the Spanish desert repertoire. Malaysian vegetarian food has its own peculiarities as well. As a matter of fact, Malaysians were of the British occupation more than a century. But despite this fact Malaysian people has never adopted general British cooking techniques. Very often Malaysians use Indian spices and Chinese-inspired. By the way Broiled and boiled dishes are unheard of in Malaysia. Because the northern part of Malaysia borders with Thailand there's one definite Thai flavor which is detected in the use of coriander, galangal, lemongrass, etc. It's interesting to mention that Strict Hindu vegetarian recipes dominate in South India. As a matter of fact eggs aren't permitted in most vegetarian dished cooked in this region. The reason is pretty clear: there's a possibility that eggs might contain embryonic life. The major source of protein in lentils which are flavored with Indian fabled spices. Another absolute essential in Asian vegetarian recipes is coconut; however this ingredient is missing in North Indian vegetarian recipes.