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454th out of 696 books
—
663 voters
Super Natural Every Day: Well-Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen
by
Heidi Swanson (Goodreads Author)
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 nutr
...morePaperback, 256 pages
Published
April 5th 2011
by Ten Speed Press
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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....more
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....more
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 r...more
Heidi Swanson is a fantastic cook and food writer. This is a fantastic book with lovely photos and delicious meal ideas. However, as a long-time reader of her food blog, 101cookbooks.com, I felt like this cookbook is somewhat superfluous for me. Many of these recipes have appeared on her website in some incarnation, and many others are variations on a theme that she has been working through (e.g., kale salads, or whole grain muffins). So I have to admit this is one of the rare instances for me w...more
I always love Heidi's books and her blog is my favorite food blog.
I have a very long list of things I want to cook from this and so far I've made the:
Millet Muffins - loved loved these. Honey kissed, bright with lemon, neat textural crunch of the millet
Baked Oatmeal (omitted banana and added frozen strawberries, used almonds instead of walnuts) - nice for when I have more time or a brunch, since I like my morning oats less sweet I'll be going back to my regular Scottish oats topped with almond b...more
I have a very long list of things I want to cook from this and so far I've made the:
Millet Muffins - loved loved these. Honey kissed, bright with lemon, neat textural crunch of the millet
Baked Oatmeal (omitted banana and added frozen strawberries, used almonds instead of walnuts) - nice for when I have more time or a brunch, since I like my morning oats less sweet I'll be going back to my regular Scottish oats topped with almond b...more
I'm a loyal fan of Heidi's blog, 101 Cookbooks, and I've read all her cookbooks. This is the best yet. The recipes I've tried are delicious, and I especially liked the frittata and the bran muffins. An, oh, the rye soda bread was grotesquely beautiful loaf and tasted perfect with her dill butter. Okay, now I'm starving so I'll sum it up. The book is beautiful with life shots of unassuming Heidi, and just about every recipe has a photo. The book inspires me to cook better and eat better with its...more
I am not a vegetarian myself but would love to add more whole grains and vegetables to my every day diet. This book does a great job of inspiring vegans and omnivores alike to do just that. (Almost makes me want to go vegetarian.) Swanson does a fantastic job of bringing together simple ingredients in wholesome and alluring recipes. I just checked this book out from the library but I may have to purchase it in order to make all the recipes I want from it.
Bonus: Her food photography is stellar....more
Bonus: Her food photography is stellar....more
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 droppe...more
I just bought it last night at her booksigning here in Portland.
1 like · like · see review
I'm a big 101 Cookbook fan, so I was excited to get a copy of Heidi's book. Lovely photos--you really get a sense of place with this cookbook, though I'm not sure the black and white photos mixed with color photographs worked for me, but this black and white-color mix seems the way many books are going these days. It's the way blogs are going too. I got a strong sense of place because most of the recipes seemed to have the California landscape in mind. Nevertheless, I made recipe after recipe an...more
Beautifully presented cookbook, with lovely photos, and great story snippets. I don't usually cook "whole/natural", but this one actually made me think I could (if not for my husband), and there are even a couple that I would cook right now with the ingredients I have on hand. Which is generally the point.
I need my cookbooks to be good to look at to draw me in, well written recipes, with a little bit of character of the author, and photos of the food. While there are not photos of every recipe,...more
I need my cookbooks to be good to look at to draw me in, well written recipes, with a little bit of character of the author, and photos of the food. While there are not photos of every recipe,...more
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 quin...more
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Heidi Swanson's approach to fresh, seasonal, simple food is combined with gorgeous photos of her creations. I would love to make most of these recipes (little quinoa patties; mostly not potato salad). Although she tries to make the recipes flexible, there are moments where the tone is a bit pretentious ("thin-skinned Mayacobas or flageolets are my favorites"). I found the recipes easy to modify and the writing very friendly and inviting, like an old friend sharing simple things she eats regularl...more
Well-written and photographed, this book has inspired me to think about different ways to cook with whole foods- vegetables, grains, beans- in ways I hadn't considered before. I was grateful that Swanson shied away from a heavy emphasis on soy- that's something that trips me up in so many vegetarian cookbooks. Soy is great, but it isn't everything. I've already made several recipes from this book and added several new grains to my pantry. I look forward to cooking from this in depth over the sum...more
I am absolutely enchanted by Heidi Swanson's aesthetic and love the beauty of this book. I'm excited to have this book as a resource to help me expand my natural foods palate - I have a feeling many beans are in my future. It's not specifically called out in the packaging, but this is a vegetarian cookbook, so uses tofu, seitan, tempeh, etc in place of meat. Good basic dishes with possibilities for variations for anyone who shops farmer's markets or is in a CSA. Several recipes require a food pr...more
Heidi Swanson is a vegeterian who loves buying and cooking with whole and natural foods that are straight from the plant or animal. She buys food that is locally grown and produced, minimally processed and not genetically modified or chemically fertilized. Her philosophy speaks to me in the most fundamental way. I want to buy, cook and eat this way. And while I wasn't crazy about every single recipe in the book, I found enough to spark my interest and I will be looking to buy her other books.
Best. Cookbook. Ever. I have so much trouble finding natural, healthy, 'flexitarian' (although this book in completely vego, it has the flexibility to alter dishes if needed), easy, and delicious cookbooks, and this one ticks all the boxes. Everything I've made from this book has been super easy and delicious, and has expanded the way I think about cooking. Heidi is so creative with her cooking, but still keeps it simple and natural. I love this book, it's become my cooking bible. Thanks Heidi!
I'm cooking my way through this book just as the farms are starting to produce delicious things for the summer here on the East Coast. This book makes me wish I had lemon and avocado trees in my yard. The flavor combinations she puts together are truly inspired. I cannot recommend it highly enough for those who are vegetarian or like to eat that way most of the time (me). This is also a good title for those who cannot have gluten, as Heidi Swanson does a lot with super grains and super foods.
This is a beautifully presented book with lots of inspiring ideas. I like her approach to food, and find her every day recipes practical and delicious. This book is a treasure to keep handy to the kitchen and dip into on a regular basis.
I particularly appreciate the alternative weights given in each recipe - making it that much more usable to choose your preferred method instead of having to work out conversions first as is often the case with American cookbooks.
I particularly appreciate the alternative weights given in each recipe - making it that much more usable to choose your preferred method instead of having to work out conversions first as is often the case with American cookbooks.
Aug 06, 2011
Lisa Eggers
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
moms who want to nourish the whole fam
I love this book, it reminds me of a very dear friend of mine out west who needs to come back to the east coast, but until then, I'll pour over this beautiful book and cook all this delicious food. I love these recipes, they're easy to simplify or expand on to make them your own. I took it out of the lib and started bookmarking so many recipes to copy that it became kind of ridiculous, so I decided this book needs to be mine. Husband, are you reading this? xoxox
Found this in a tiny bookshop on an island just off the coast of New Zealand. Of course the author is from SF and I had to find her in some obscure bookshop. Anyway. Everything I've cooked from this has been brilliant. Carnivore husband has been delighted with the recipes and doesn't miss the meat. This is his highest praise. Photos are beautiful and Heidi always gives options if the more obscure ingredients can't be sourced. Highly recommend.
Much to Bert's disappointment, I loved this cookbook. In fact it's one I may have to purchase. If I wrote down all of the recipes I'd like to try, I'd have a handwritten copy of the book. Lots of veggies (Bert approved), lots of interesting grains (not Bert approved) and lots of very "fresh idea" food combinations- white beans, cabbage, parmesan cheese, and shallots; and ravioli pasta salad with a pepita and cilantro pesto and some black olives. I can't wait to find her other cookbook as well.
Everything I've made so far from this cookbook has turned out beautifully! I love the Spinach Chop, the Millet Muffins, Baked Oatmeal . . . there's an avocado-mustard seed-curry dish that's ridiculously good, too. The photography is gorgeous and the recipes are accessible and easy to prepare. I love the concept of incorporating natural, local, fresh ingredients seamlessly to my meal repertoire. Highly recommend this book!
Have been cooking my way through this delicious cookbook for the past few months. Love, love, love it...although my friends are probably sick of hearing me talk about The Cookbook. It seems like 75% of my recipes these days come from this cookbook or Heidi Swanson's blog "101 Cookbooks."
Can't recommend this book enough for delicious, flavorful, and healthy meals that come together quickly and easily.
Can't recommend this book enough for delicious, flavorful, and healthy meals that come together quickly and easily.
Everything I've made from this has been delicious. It is full of beautiful photos and comments on each recipe with potential substitutions, which is helpful for using what you have around. This has been a great way to use up our co-op vegetables.
The broccoli grabiche is our favorite so far (and that's saying a lot coming from my broccoli hating husband).
The broccoli grabiche is our favorite so far (and that's saying a lot coming from my broccoli hating husband).
I found this very accessible - and the photos are deliciously tempting enough that I have already made a handful of recipes from it. Thus far, all her alterations and recommendations seem sound and the recipes are not-too-complicated for a well-equipped kitchen that is already used for a lot of whole-grain, from-scratch, use-lots-of-spices-and-vegetables kitchen.
Aug 02, 2011
sadie
added it
I'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.
this book is beautiful. It has lovely photos and is set out really well, and has a lovely calm healthy feel to it (am not sure how she does that!).
It's a vegetarian book, but other than the desserts and a few things cooked with butter and yogurt (which could be easily replaced), it's pretty much mostly vegan. It's just the kinds of foods that i like and Heidi writes so warmly and well too! so far i've tried roasting chick peas, a yummy chick pea dip and there are lots of tempeh and tofu recipes...more
It's a vegetarian book, but other than the desserts and a few things cooked with butter and yogurt (which could be easily replaced), it's pretty much mostly vegan. It's just the kinds of foods that i like and Heidi writes so warmly and well too! so far i've tried roasting chick peas, a yummy chick pea dip and there are lots of tempeh and tofu recipes...more
I love Heidi Swanson's simple instructions and unique combinations. She has a dedication to local and/or organic ingredients I respect plus she's vegetarian! I've read only the introduction and through a few recipes but I'm so excited to use this book in my kitchen. Oh wait-I gave it to my mother-in-law for a gift-make note to buy my own copy.
Similar to my friend Robina, I often look over Swanson's recipes and find them to seem like they're lacking in flavor. And the few things I've made from her blog that were not adapted from other sources were just that: lacking in flavor. However, these recipes seem different, more lively. I'm looking forward to trying several of them!
I loved this book. I am a follower of her blog and while I like her blog I really think the book is great. Easy recipes and easy to follow. She gives tips too when things may not always look like what she did. I like that because heat, humidity can change the way things work in a recipe. I would highly recommend this book.
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Aug 22, 2011 09:04am
Aug 23, 2011 09:06am