The father-daughter duo lent their name to the Meatless Monday movement in the UK in 2009, to become one of the most star-powered advocates of a campaign that preaches reducing red meat consumption to one day a week for the sake of both human health and the environment.

A slew of recent studies, for instance, have linked red meat consumption with an increased risk of developing colon cancer and heart disease.

According to the United Nations, raising livestock for human consumption is likewise responsible for 18 per cent of greenhouse gas or carbon dioxide emissions -- more than worldwide transportation.

This is particularly worrying considering that red meat consumption is expected to rise exponentially in China in parallel with the country's growing affluence, environmentalists say.

With forwards by fellow vegetarian celeb friends like actors Woody Harrelson and Pamela Anderson and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, recipes in the book include fresh appetizers like Grilled Figs with Ricotta, Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes, Sicilian Cauliflower Pasta, Hot Mozzarella Sandwiches and Roasted Halloumi Wraps.

The Meatless Monday movement was created in 2003 in association with the Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Public Health and was inspired by war austerity measures imposed by US presidents which asked Americans to voluntarily give up meat.

McCartney joins a string of celebrities who’ve penned heart-healthy cookbooks. As a survivor of breast cancer, singer Sheryl Crow, for instance, released a largely vegetarian cookbook called "If It Makes You Healthy: More Than 100 Delicious Recipes Inspired by the Seasons".

Actor Alicia Silverstone also shares her secrets to keeping svelte in her meat-free and dairy-free cookbook "The King Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet".

The Meat Free Monday Cookbook, published by Kyle Books, is available on Amazon.com for about US$20 (RM61). — AFP-Relaxnews