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Super Natural Every Day: Well-Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Food & Cooking (2011)HEIDI SWANSON'S approach to cooking whole, natural foods has earned her a global readership. From her Northern California kitchen, she introduced us to a less-processed world of cooking and eating through her award-winning blog, 101 Cookbooks, and in her James Beard Award–nominated cookbook, Super Natural Cooking, she taught us how to expand our pantries and integrate nutrient-rich superfoods into our diets.
In Super Natural Every Day, Heidi helps us make nutritionally packed meals part of our daily repertoire by sharing a sumptuous collection of nearly 100 of her go-to recipes. These are the dishes that Heidi returns to again and again because they’re approachable, good for the body, and just plain delicious. This stylish cookbook is equal parts inspiration and instruction, showing us how to create a welcoming table filled with nourishing food for friends and family.
The seductively flavorful vegetarian recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, treats, and drinks are quick to the table but tasty enough to linger over. Grab a Millet Muffin or some flaky Yogurt Biscuits for breakfast on the go, or settle into a lazy Sunday morning with a stack of Multi-grain Pancakes and a steaming cup of Ginger Tea. A bowl of Summer Squash Soup or a couple of Chanterelle Tacos make for a light and healthy lunch, and for dinner, there’s Black Sesame Otsu, Pomegranate-Glazed Eggplant with Tempeh, or the aptly named Weeknight Curry. Heidi’s Rose Geranium Prosecco is the perfect start to a celebratory meal, and the Buttermilk Cake with fresh plums or Sweet Panzanella will satisfy even the most stubborn sweet tooth.
Gorgeously illustrated with over 100 photos that showcase the engaging rhythms of Heidi’s culinary life and travels, Super Natural Every Day reveals the beauty of uncomplicated food prepared well and reflects a realistic yet gourmet approach to a healthy and sophisticated natural foods lifestyle.
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
February 6, 2017
Being honest, this book is a little floofy for my taste. Heidi Swanson hails from California, and she might be just a snootch out of touch with what life is like for the rest of us who reside in the other 49 states in the union. She mentions that she likes to snack on “nut butters” and makes note that she lives within walking distance of five farmer’s markets. Cue barfing noises, amiright?
But if you ignore the narrative flourishes and focus on the recipes, Heidi Swanson knows what’s up when it comes to vegetarian cooking. She’s the reason there’s tempeh in my fridge and mung beans in my pantry. That shit is happening later this week, and I fully expect it to be delicious. She’s a legit cook even if everything about her sensibility drives me crazy.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
But if you ignore the narrative flourishes and focus on the recipes, Heidi Swanson knows what’s up when it comes to vegetarian cooking. She’s the reason there’s tempeh in my fridge and mung beans in my pantry. That shit is happening later this week, and I fully expect it to be delicious. She’s a legit cook even if everything about her sensibility drives me crazy.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
April 8, 2013
Given how many food bloggers have raved about this book and given my appreciation for Heidi Swanson's own food blog, I really thought I'd like this book. To my surprise, I really did not. Many of the recipes struck me as slightly odd and I had serious doubts about whether they'd actually be tasty to a palette that isn't limited to a "natural foods kitchen." And also, so. much. dairy! As someone who can't tolerate dairy I thought it likely that this book would include a decent sampling of vegan recipes (in my experience, "natural foods kitchen" people -- and especially the vegetarians -- eat at least some portion vegan) but no, pretty much everything depended on butter and/or cream for flavor. That's fine, I know that plenty of people are perfectly happy eating dairy, but it just surprised me. I'd say there are maybe five recipes in this book that I'd actually be interested in trying, and only the baked oatmeal really stands out (and I can already find plenty of alterations of Heidi's version on the internet). 2.5 stars.
February 16, 2016
Plain (non-slick) paper, lots of photographs (close ups of the prepared food), blurb is above the title (which is a large bold font), the ingredients is in a small plain font, but the instructions are in a bold font, which makes them easily read.
Contents include: Introduction; 7 sections of recipes; Sources; acknowledgements; and Index.
Breakfast: Muesli; Granola; Oatmeal; Spinach strata; Fruit salad; Sun toast; lemon zested bulgur; Baked oatmeal; and Crepes
Lunch: Open faced egg sandwich; Summer squash soup; Mostly not potato salad; Whole grain rice salad; Mixed melon bowl; Ravioli salad; Panzanella (w/ soy); Mixed green salad; White beans & cabbage; Chanterelle tacos; and Orzo salad
Snacks: Avocados & mustard seeds; Hard cooked eggs w/ dukkah; Turnip chips; White bean spread; Honeyed manouri; Spinach chop; and Little quinoa patties
Dinner: Farro soup; Harissa ravioli; Pan fried mung beans w/ tempeh (soy); Summer linguine; Stuffed tomatoes; Mushroom saute; Green lentil soup; Cauliflower soup; Black sesame otsu; and Miso curry delicata
Drinks: Tinto de verano (red wine); Cucumber cooler; Iced white tea; Shandy; rose geranium prosecco; Mixed citrus juice; and Sparkling panakam
Treats: Muscovado sunflower kernels; Watermelon salad; Membrillo cake; Sweet panazella; Macaroon tart; Honey & rosewater tapioca; and Tutti Frutti crumble
Accompaniments: Whole grain mustard; Dipping sauce; Blackberry maple compote: asimple pot of beans; Wild rice; Toasted nuts & seeds; Poached eggs; Butter(s); Creme fraiche; Roasted strawberries; and Oven roasted cherry tomatoes
I like this book, I like the recipes except those w/ soy (but I can change that).... Some of the recipes are easier to make than others...... I'd be more than happy to eat these, if there was someone to cook them for me!
Contents include: Introduction; 7 sections of recipes; Sources; acknowledgements; and Index.
Breakfast: Muesli; Granola; Oatmeal; Spinach strata; Fruit salad; Sun toast; lemon zested bulgur; Baked oatmeal; and Crepes
Lunch: Open faced egg sandwich; Summer squash soup; Mostly not potato salad; Whole grain rice salad; Mixed melon bowl; Ravioli salad; Panzanella (w/ soy); Mixed green salad; White beans & cabbage; Chanterelle tacos; and Orzo salad
Snacks: Avocados & mustard seeds; Hard cooked eggs w/ dukkah; Turnip chips; White bean spread; Honeyed manouri; Spinach chop; and Little quinoa patties
Dinner: Farro soup; Harissa ravioli; Pan fried mung beans w/ tempeh (soy); Summer linguine; Stuffed tomatoes; Mushroom saute; Green lentil soup; Cauliflower soup; Black sesame otsu; and Miso curry delicata
Drinks: Tinto de verano (red wine); Cucumber cooler; Iced white tea; Shandy; rose geranium prosecco; Mixed citrus juice; and Sparkling panakam
Treats: Muscovado sunflower kernels; Watermelon salad; Membrillo cake; Sweet panazella; Macaroon tart; Honey & rosewater tapioca; and Tutti Frutti crumble
Accompaniments: Whole grain mustard; Dipping sauce; Blackberry maple compote: asimple pot of beans; Wild rice; Toasted nuts & seeds; Poached eggs; Butter(s); Creme fraiche; Roasted strawberries; and Oven roasted cherry tomatoes
I like this book, I like the recipes except those w/ soy (but I can change that).... Some of the recipes are easier to make than others...... I'd be more than happy to eat these, if there was someone to cook them for me!
August 24, 2011
I must own this.
If I had one criticism, it might be that the language is too informal, too conversational, too internet-casual--but that's not to say it's badly written. It's my own problem that the author happens to use, once in a while, everyday-isms that bug me. The photographs are gorgeous, almost every single recipe is tempting, and it's well-organized and easy to read. The Introduction breaks down her kitchen, her pantry, and her culinary habits. There's a simple section on Accompaniments. And her Source section is helpful too. I could try every recipe in this book. It and her site, http://www.101cookbooks.com, really inspire me to cook and create, healthily and beautifully. I guess, what more could a cookbook author want?
If I had one criticism, it might be that the language is too informal, too conversational, too internet-casual--but that's not to say it's badly written. It's my own problem that the author happens to use, once in a while, everyday-isms that bug me. The photographs are gorgeous, almost every single recipe is tempting, and it's well-organized and easy to read. The Introduction breaks down her kitchen, her pantry, and her culinary habits. There's a simple section on Accompaniments. And her Source section is helpful too. I could try every recipe in this book. It and her site, http://www.101cookbooks.com, really inspire me to cook and create, healthily and beautifully. I guess, what more could a cookbook author want?
Read
August 2, 2011I'm in love.
This book and I we are going to run away together and live a mad, impetuous life of inspired book designed, creative culinary culture, and just soul-satisfying food everything.
I'm both in awe and depressed when I read it. I can't eat many of the ingredients featured but ... this book causes my heart to sing, nonetheless.
OMGG. sooo veddy good.
This book and I we are going to run away together and live a mad, impetuous life of inspired book designed, creative culinary culture, and just soul-satisfying food everything.
I'm both in awe and depressed when I read it. I can't eat many of the ingredients featured but ... this book causes my heart to sing, nonetheless.
OMGG. sooo veddy good.
March 19, 2012
I am an avid follower of Heidi and adore her simple and natural recipes that so subtly introduce me to new ingredients and creative ways of preparing them. Her cooking is right along my nutrition alley and although I am not a vegetarian, I love veggies much more and can easily forget about meat. After having tried many of her recipes from her website, I decided to give this book a try. By now, I have prepared about 80% of the dishes in the book, most all of the lunch and dinner recipes. The quinoa patties stand out, and so does the summer squash soup, the cauliflower soup (which is the best one I have made to date), eggplant with tempeh is great and so is the weeknight curry. I prepare most of them as described, but sometimes may modify a bit. Egg salad, for example, has to have a touch of mustard for me. I searched like crazy for Delicata Squash, and even during squash season, I was unable to find it. Some recipes are a little too simple and lack spark, such as the dandelion greens with chick peas. It would be good if Heidi could make suggestions on how to combine her dishes to make them more complete. I did not try much from the breakfast section since I during that time of day I am usually at work. The oatmeal is delicious, however. And many of her recipes are also very carb-intensive which does not always fit my meal plan, especially the breakfast selection where I prefer a protein shake with fresh fruit. I also still want to try some desert recipes but I just don’t find much time for baking anymore. Today I had good intentions, but Whole Foods did not have plums, so I could not make the buttermilk plum cake, but made the Chocolate cake currently on her website, which turned out great. So, truly, over the last year, my take-to-work lunches were inspired by Heidi and many times my co-workers eyed over my shoulder wondering what it is that I am eating. My pantry is now well-stocked with coconut milk, maple syrup, quinoa of all colors, soba noodles, and green lentils, all of them wonderful wholesome and healthy foods. I am amazed how a few red pepper flakes in olive oil can add so much flavor, or cumin seeds toasted and added to butter. Heidi has truly perfected her cooking and her recipes make me feel great.
January 6, 2021
The cauliflower soup in this is one of my all time favorite dinners.
November 12, 2015
The What's Cooking discussion group had a very mixed reaction to this book. The average of our rating was 2.5 stars. We had two participants that thought it did not warrant any stars, and one participant who thought it should have 4.5 stars.
This cookbook is difficult for some people to connect with not simply because it is a vegetarian cookbook, but because it is difficult for people with allergies (soy, nut, and dairy) to find recipes that they are able to eat and enjoy.
We sampled the following recipes...
- Millet Muffins
- Shandy
- Chanterelle Tacos
- White Bean Dip with Pita Chips
- Ginger Cookies
- Eggs with Dukkah Spice
- Cauliflower Soup
- Quinoa Patties
- Pomegranate Glazed Eggplant with Tempeh
- Stuffed Dates
The White Bean Dip and Shandy were the most liked recipes. All the other dishes had mixed reviews...each recipe had those who loved it and those who didn't like it at all.
We thought that the layout, font and photos were very good in this book. We really like when recipes are contained on one page or on facing pages.
We wished that Swanson provided more hints/notes/substitution suggestions. One participant would have liked to know what size onion to cut up for the Quinoa Patties. Another sought help from her local grocer during her search for Asian Eggplant (same as regular eggplant - just more tubular) and Pomegranate Molasses (just cook down pomegranate juice).
We think that your enjoyment of this cookbook will all depend on your level of healthy eating/vegetarianism and of food allergies.
This cookbook is difficult for some people to connect with not simply because it is a vegetarian cookbook, but because it is difficult for people with allergies (soy, nut, and dairy) to find recipes that they are able to eat and enjoy.
We sampled the following recipes...
- Millet Muffins
- Shandy
- Chanterelle Tacos
- White Bean Dip with Pita Chips
- Ginger Cookies
- Eggs with Dukkah Spice
- Cauliflower Soup
- Quinoa Patties
- Pomegranate Glazed Eggplant with Tempeh
- Stuffed Dates
The White Bean Dip and Shandy were the most liked recipes. All the other dishes had mixed reviews...each recipe had those who loved it and those who didn't like it at all.
We thought that the layout, font and photos were very good in this book. We really like when recipes are contained on one page or on facing pages.
We wished that Swanson provided more hints/notes/substitution suggestions. One participant would have liked to know what size onion to cut up for the Quinoa Patties. Another sought help from her local grocer during her search for Asian Eggplant (same as regular eggplant - just more tubular) and Pomegranate Molasses (just cook down pomegranate juice).
We think that your enjoyment of this cookbook will all depend on your level of healthy eating/vegetarianism and of food allergies.
January 27, 2012
I could live on a diet of Heidi Swanson recipes for the rest of my life and die a contented, well-nourashed, happy person!!! My two editors at Random House sent me this gem of a cookbook for the holidays and I am crazy in love with it! The recipes are easy to follow, quick, convenient, and absolutely delicious! My New Year's resolution was to eat less meat, and nourish this old bod with some good fresh-from-the-earth foods and this book is the vehicle to keeping that promise! So far, I've dropped three pounds without trying, (squee!) and I'm loooooooving each new culinary adventure! I've NEVER eaten so well or loved my meals so much...from the pomegranate-glazed eggplant, the wild rice salad, the yellow split peas and greens and my favorite go-to recipe - the white beans and cabbage...have mercy! Best. Cookbook. EVER!
January 29, 2014
This is the recipe book from Heidi Swanson, of the very popular food blog 101cookbooks.com. It's a site I have visited often. The photography is spectacular, and I have tried some of the recipes from the website. They were original and lovely. I expected my experience of this book to be similar. But the recipes were really drab. I tried the Wild Rice Casserole, I am still trying to figure out what to do with the remains of it. I want to throw it away, but my partner doesn't want to be wasteful. The Black sesame Otsu was an alright snack but my partner thought it bland. And I tried the Miso-Delicata Squash. The flavors just didn't come together well enough for me in that dish.
So disappointed. The recipes were really bland, and what I thought would be the most exciting recipes turned out to be at best 'meh'.
So disappointed. The recipes were really bland, and what I thought would be the most exciting recipes turned out to be at best 'meh'.
October 30, 2015
This cookbook is an all-natural gem! The recipes are downright delicious! I have made several dishes from this cookbook and haven't felt like I've had to travel round the world to gather all the ingredients, although some are more difficult to locate than others. The millet muffins were enlightening and I'm now a big fan of the boiled eggs with dukkah. Who knew you could make boiled eggs interesting?
I know this cookbook and I have many years to go together. None of the recipes have disappointed me yet. Way better than that 90s Casseroles compilation I picked up at a yard sale last summer. And that's saying something. I'm a Hoosier and casseroles are serious business. They are the bread and butter (pickles) to our Midwestern creed. ;)
Every time you finish one of Heidi's meals you feel rejuvenated. No regrets here! Healthy, clean, and wholesome eating. Enjoy ya'll!
I know this cookbook and I have many years to go together. None of the recipes have disappointed me yet. Way better than that 90s Casseroles compilation I picked up at a yard sale last summer. And that's saying something. I'm a Hoosier and casseroles are serious business. They are the bread and butter (pickles) to our Midwestern creed. ;)
Every time you finish one of Heidi's meals you feel rejuvenated. No regrets here! Healthy, clean, and wholesome eating. Enjoy ya'll!
Read
September 2, 2016If you purchased a big sack of spelt in a fit of wholesome intentions and find it still sitting in your pantry 6 months later, this book (along with “Ancient Grains”) is for you! It’s chock full of delicious, uncomplicated recipes that leave you feeling genuinely nourished, without spending all day toiling with obscure ingredients. Really, anything that can get me to look forward to bulgur as much as pasta is genius – and this does it.
August 29, 2014
So many of these recipes have become die-hard favourites that I make again and again. Sure, there are a lot of hard-to-get ingredients and one or two dishes I didn't really care for (especially remember a nasty chick-pea soup with egg yolks and yoghurt..brrr...)
Over all this is a book that's been increadibly inspiring and has recipes that actually turn out well. Plus the photos are gorgeous.
Over all this is a book that's been increadibly inspiring and has recipes that actually turn out well. Plus the photos are gorgeous.
October 8, 2014
I just bought it last night at her booksigning here in Portland.
September 24, 2011
This book was just as useful of a resource as her blog. I love her recipes and how nicely they go together. I must own this for the kitchen cookbook shelf.
April 27, 2014
heidi swanson is bomb.
October 30, 2019
I've followed 101 Cookbooks for years, and while I rarely actually make any of Swanson's recipes, I love her sensibilities. I love her ideas in the kitchen, her commitment to vegetables, and her photography and writing. Her musings on dinner are delightful (and sound a lot like my own life, husband managing the compost bin and all):
"I'm a believer that dinner is what you make of it, and it always has the potential to be something special. It's the time of day when the people in your life can come together to share and reflect on the day--to enjoy a meal together, however simple or complex.
Dinner around here ranges from the simplest preparations to elaborate weekend undertakings, and everything in between. Sometimes making dinner is a solo endeavor, and other times a team effort. There are countless nights I find myself in the kitchen, Wayne to the right of me; I'm chopping, he's rinsing. I'm measuring lentils. He's crushing garlic. I pop the cork on a bottle of cider. He's making sure the compost bin is under control." (126)
Recipes bookmarked:
* Chanterelle tacos
* Avocados and mustard seeds (an Indian-inspired riff on guacamole)
* Miso-curry delicata squash with tofu
* Honey and rose water tapioca
* Whole grain mustard (my previous attempt at homemade mustard lacks...something, and maybe Swanson has the answer!)
"I'm a believer that dinner is what you make of it, and it always has the potential to be something special. It's the time of day when the people in your life can come together to share and reflect on the day--to enjoy a meal together, however simple or complex.
Dinner around here ranges from the simplest preparations to elaborate weekend undertakings, and everything in between. Sometimes making dinner is a solo endeavor, and other times a team effort. There are countless nights I find myself in the kitchen, Wayne to the right of me; I'm chopping, he's rinsing. I'm measuring lentils. He's crushing garlic. I pop the cork on a bottle of cider. He's making sure the compost bin is under control." (126)
Recipes bookmarked:
* Chanterelle tacos
* Avocados and mustard seeds (an Indian-inspired riff on guacamole)
* Miso-curry delicata squash with tofu
* Honey and rose water tapioca
* Whole grain mustard (my previous attempt at homemade mustard lacks...something, and maybe Swanson has the answer!)
January 18, 2022
In my top 5 cookbooks!
This was recommended instore at the local Dymocks. I originally passed on it not knowing the author and, if I'm honest, not being keen on a vegetarian cookbook. By chance I stumbled upon Heidi's blog a few months later and was delighted in her gorgeous photography and friendly writing that I hunted the book down again and bought it.
I absolutely adore this book! The granola is a daily staple for 9mths of the year (switching to porridge in winter). The summer linguine is a revelation with so few ingredients but bags of flavour. I've been introduced to new ingredients like millet & tempeh and learned new ways of cooking grains, and what to pair it with. I'm no longer afraid of tofu (in fact low key obsessed these days) and I'm so happy to learn you really can add feta to everything. Please buy this book!
This was recommended instore at the local Dymocks. I originally passed on it not knowing the author and, if I'm honest, not being keen on a vegetarian cookbook. By chance I stumbled upon Heidi's blog a few months later and was delighted in her gorgeous photography and friendly writing that I hunted the book down again and bought it.
I absolutely adore this book! The granola is a daily staple for 9mths of the year (switching to porridge in winter). The summer linguine is a revelation with so few ingredients but bags of flavour. I've been introduced to new ingredients like millet & tempeh and learned new ways of cooking grains, and what to pair it with. I'm no longer afraid of tofu (in fact low key obsessed these days) and I'm so happy to learn you really can add feta to everything. Please buy this book!
June 12, 2017
This is a great natural foods cookbook. The salads were very creative, and I liked that there were a lot of casseroles and easy to make or prep ahead items.
She lives in northern CA, and tends to forget that most of us won't be able to pop outside and grab a sprig of organic rose geranium when the urge hits. She's not that down to earth. But the recipes are sound (even some drinks!) and the photos are beautiful, though there isn't one for every recipe. This is great if you're looking to ease more natural food into your diet.
She lives in northern CA, and tends to forget that most of us won't be able to pop outside and grab a sprig of organic rose geranium when the urge hits. She's not that down to earth. But the recipes are sound (even some drinks!) and the photos are beautiful, though there isn't one for every recipe. This is great if you're looking to ease more natural food into your diet.
November 18, 2020
My husband is awaiting a transplant surgery. His health has put significant restrictions on what he can eat, and in solidarity, we are all on the diet with him. This cookbook has ready added some good recipes to our repertoire! As is with all cook books, it’s not a total home run (as there are a few recipes that are not “my cup of tea”)- however, overall I am thrilled with it! If anyone is going to an “all-real-food” eliminating processed foods diet, then you will find some things you really like!!
October 31, 2023
Like most cookbooks, I'm not going to cook EVERY recipe. That being said, this book comes darn close. I love that these are healthy meals that are easy enough to cook on a workday. My husband is OBSESSED with the baked oatmeal and requests it weekly.
Highly recommend for home cooks looking for healthy additions to their rotation.
Highly recommend for home cooks looking for healthy additions to their rotation.
November 19, 2020
I’ve officially circled back from where I started. Was reading this book and found a recipe that had been in my rotation for years. The pomegranate glazed tempeh with eggplant and sweet potatoes.
Has a bunch of great whole and clean foods in season. Would recommend.
Has a bunch of great whole and clean foods in season. Would recommend.
May 23, 2017
Checked this out of MEL and will need to read it again for sure.
Lots of yummy recipes to try.
Lots of yummy recipes to try.
June 14, 2017
A "hippy-groovy" cookbook with a combination of solid recipes, and ones that need a bit of tweaking.
November 3, 2017
My go-to cookbook. Reliably easy and delicious!
September 29, 2020
Bland and boring....time consuming recipes.
November 23, 2021
A very nice cookbook with fairly easy dishes for many occasions. The emphasis is on fresh and natural which is great. recommended.
August 15, 2017
4.5 stars. I have a whole stack of Heidi's books form the library. This one was written at the very beginning of what has become a particular kind of cookbook that I find very appealing. I just re-read it; still awesome. Great healthy recipes, attractive photos.
October 1, 2013
This is a very good cookbook, even for me, despite it not being officially gluten free or vegan. It seems to be a healthy, plant-based vegetarian sort of diet. I know the author has written other cookbooks, but not having checked them out, I wasn't sure what to expect.
The book has a natural, cozy feel to, from first person notes within recipes ("I find that...") to photos of the author and what I presume are friends, family, and local scenery, instead of merely food photographs. I'll admit that I prefer photos of the recipes, but there was a nice mellow air to this cookbook that complimented the natural and incredibly tasty sounding recipes throughout.
I wouldn't buy this cookbook--after all, I try to cook vegan, and this book isn't--there's lots of butter, as well as cheese and eggs. It's also not gluten free; so many of the breakfast items and desserts, as well as any main dishes prepared with seitan, and some other recipes, are simply not safe for me. But many of the dairy items can easily be replaced, so that gave me a little more latitude when choosing recipes to try. The recipes aren't low fat or no refined fat added either, but for some of these dishes I'm willing to make an exception, and others I think I can substitute successfully.
I haven't tried any yet, but I copied down several to try. I'm especially intrigued by the Carnival Cookies, which are the only cookie recipe I've ever seen to call for popped popcorn as well as peanuts and chocolate chips and oats. But there are plenty of other creative, wholesome recipes throughout this book that are begging to be tried, including Mostly Not Potato Salad, Summer Squash Soup, Chickpeas and Dandelion Greens, White Beans and Cabbage, Turnip Chips, Tutti Fruity Crumble, and even a savory popcorn featuring mustard and chives, among other ingredients, as well as other recipes. I'm planning to check out Swanson's other cookbooks as well eventually, to see if they are just as full of wholesome, delicious, creative recipe ideas.
The book has a natural, cozy feel to, from first person notes within recipes ("I find that...") to photos of the author and what I presume are friends, family, and local scenery, instead of merely food photographs. I'll admit that I prefer photos of the recipes, but there was a nice mellow air to this cookbook that complimented the natural and incredibly tasty sounding recipes throughout.
I wouldn't buy this cookbook--after all, I try to cook vegan, and this book isn't--there's lots of butter, as well as cheese and eggs. It's also not gluten free; so many of the breakfast items and desserts, as well as any main dishes prepared with seitan, and some other recipes, are simply not safe for me. But many of the dairy items can easily be replaced, so that gave me a little more latitude when choosing recipes to try. The recipes aren't low fat or no refined fat added either, but for some of these dishes I'm willing to make an exception, and others I think I can substitute successfully.
I haven't tried any yet, but I copied down several to try. I'm especially intrigued by the Carnival Cookies, which are the only cookie recipe I've ever seen to call for popped popcorn as well as peanuts and chocolate chips and oats. But there are plenty of other creative, wholesome recipes throughout this book that are begging to be tried, including Mostly Not Potato Salad, Summer Squash Soup, Chickpeas and Dandelion Greens, White Beans and Cabbage, Turnip Chips, Tutti Fruity Crumble, and even a savory popcorn featuring mustard and chives, among other ingredients, as well as other recipes. I'm planning to check out Swanson's other cookbooks as well eventually, to see if they are just as full of wholesome, delicious, creative recipe ideas.
November 9, 2015
I'm conflicted about how to rate this cookbook. I enjoyed some recipes, disliked others and couldn't try quite a few because of a soybean allergy. Ultimately, it comes down to "Would I buy this cookbook?". The answer is definitely no.
Overall, I think this book is good for people who are committed to vegetarianism. While I try to maintain a healthy diet with whole foods, I need my vegetarian cookbooks to acknowledge my typical American diet that includes white flour and sugar. So, they should take the Goldilocks approach and find a balance of whole and processed foods that is just right...especially because I tend not to deviate from a recipe's instructions.
I made the following...
- Carnival Cookies - They're weird. There's no flour. Bananas and almond meal are the binding agents. There is also popcorn, peanuts and chocolate chips in them. They're good for a late afternoon pick-me-up but definitely not a cookie that I would crave.
- Wild Rice Casserole - too bland on its own. The addition of cottage cheese reminded me of 1970's vegetarianism...and not in a good way.
- Shandy - a lovely beverage. I mixed Pilsner Urquell and Trader Joe's Lemonade. The lemonade won this non-beer drinker over.
- White Bean Dip with Pita Chips - definitely a keeper recipe for me but I'd definitely need to double or trip the quantity for a party.
- Stuffed Medjool Dates - another keeper recipe...a simple yet satisfying dessert.
In addition to writing cookbooks and an award winning blog, 101 Cookbooks, Swanson is a photographer and shows off this skill in this book. I would have preferred more photos of completed recipes than of landscapes and such even though they were quite lovely.
Her instructions are clearly written. Some ingredients are difficult to find, and I would have appreciated more direction (weight/volume/size) with some ingredients i.e. one onion. Small/Medium/Large? 3 oz? 1/3 cup?
So, all in all, not a horrible cookbook. I think that its ideal audience is a fairly narrow segment of the cookbook market.
Overall, I think this book is good for people who are committed to vegetarianism. While I try to maintain a healthy diet with whole foods, I need my vegetarian cookbooks to acknowledge my typical American diet that includes white flour and sugar. So, they should take the Goldilocks approach and find a balance of whole and processed foods that is just right...especially because I tend not to deviate from a recipe's instructions.
I made the following...
- Carnival Cookies - They're weird. There's no flour. Bananas and almond meal are the binding agents. There is also popcorn, peanuts and chocolate chips in them. They're good for a late afternoon pick-me-up but definitely not a cookie that I would crave.
- Wild Rice Casserole - too bland on its own. The addition of cottage cheese reminded me of 1970's vegetarianism...and not in a good way.
- Shandy - a lovely beverage. I mixed Pilsner Urquell and Trader Joe's Lemonade. The lemonade won this non-beer drinker over.
- White Bean Dip with Pita Chips - definitely a keeper recipe for me but I'd definitely need to double or trip the quantity for a party.
- Stuffed Medjool Dates - another keeper recipe...a simple yet satisfying dessert.
In addition to writing cookbooks and an award winning blog, 101 Cookbooks, Swanson is a photographer and shows off this skill in this book. I would have preferred more photos of completed recipes than of landscapes and such even though they were quite lovely.
Her instructions are clearly written. Some ingredients are difficult to find, and I would have appreciated more direction (weight/volume/size) with some ingredients i.e. one onion. Small/Medium/Large? 3 oz? 1/3 cup?
So, all in all, not a horrible cookbook. I think that its ideal audience is a fairly narrow segment of the cookbook market.
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