Around one third of the Indian people are vegetarians. Especially, the people in Southern India and two western states of Rajasthan and Gujrat, there are many vegetarian people. That is exactly the reason why vegetarian recipes occupy a very important place among the Indian Recipes.  

There are several varieties of vegetarian recipes. There are at least eighty to hundred common recipes that are liked and used by all. Many more vegetarian recipes are there but they are not as widely used as these common vegetarian recipes. Vegetarian Indian Food derives glamour and flavor from these recipes, each of whom is unique in their own way. 

Some of the famous vegetarian recipes in an Indian Cuisine are potato and capsicum curry, potato and cauliflower or cabbage curry, potato and palak, Brinjal bhurta, chana (peas) masala, Cheese corn and capsicum curry etc. You can serve them with either bread or rice and in both cases the food tastes quite delicious. Sometimes the vegetarian recipes are used as snacks instead of main course like the Govi pakoda or Aloo pakoda menaing cauliflower fry and potato fry respectively.  

Among the most popular South Indian Recipes are the vegetable rice or pulav that is prepared with rice and vegetables cooked together in oil, pudding of various types, Masala Dosa, Onion Dosa, Uttapam and various preparations with coconut crunches. It may be noted that unlike the North and North West India, the emphasis is on crushed rice and pulses in the South in preparation of their dishes.