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The Ancestral Table: Traditional Recipes for a Paleo Lifestyle

Russ Crandall (Goodreads Author),

Paul Jaminet (Foreword)

4.23 · Rating details · 323 ratings · 13 reviews

Critically-acclaimed food blogger Russ Crandall presents over 100 classic and traditional recipes for a gluten-free, whole foods lifestyle. Beautifully photographed and tirelessly researched, The Ancestral Table will provide you with the tools to approach cuisine in a way that is healthful without sacrificing taste.

In The Ancestral Table, acclaimed home chef and blogger Ru ...more

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Paperback, 288 pages

Published February 11th 2014 by Victory Belt Publishing (first published February 9th 2014)

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Lists with This Book

The Paleo Approach Cookbook by Sarah Ballantyne

Superior Nutrition by Herbert M. Shelton

Anti Inflammatory Diet

11 books — 3 voters

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· 323 ratings · 13 reviews

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Mar 29, 2015 Danny rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

paleo cooking takes a more authentic direction

Rather than attempting to rewrite comfort food classics with paleo substitutions, this book looks mainly to South America & Asia for naturally paleo-friendly dishes that are exotic & full of flavor. The Ancestral Table is well researched & will appeal to the uncompromising cook looking for the most delicious expression of a dish.

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Apr 09, 2018 Sarah rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018readingchallenge, nonfiction

This is a very useful book. The author approaches Paleo from the anti-inflammatory side, having dealt with autoimmune problems. After using Paleo to let the inflammation heal, he does incorporate some dairy into many recipes. Health information in the front of the book is geared toward anti-inflammatory information and toxic load, and has footnotes! Instructional information in the beginning is geared for people who may be new to cooking, and a complete table at the end gives amendments for each ...more

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Apr 24, 2014 Suzanne Barrett rated it it was amazing

Russ Crandall, The Domestic Man in the blogosphere offers a twist on paleo cooking with his new book. Think gourmet paleo cooking. While it may seem like an oxymoron, Crandall pulls it off with aplomb in this delightful collection of eating/lifestyle information and mouthwatering recipes.

With a forward by Paul Jaminet, PhD, we learn about how paleo eating heals the body. Jaminet explains about his and his wife’s health problems and also Russ Crandall’s, and how their health improved through diet Russ Crandall, The Domestic Man in the blogosphere offers a twist on paleo cooking with his new book. Think gourmet paleo cooking. While it may seem like an oxymoron, Crandall pulls it off with aplomb in this delightful collection of eating/lifestyle information and mouthwatering recipes.

With a forward by Paul Jaminet, PhD, we learn about how paleo eating heals the body. Jaminet explains about his and his wife’s health problems and also Russ Crandall’s, and how their health improved through diet. Russ also shares his incredible story in the first pages of the book, the result of hears of study into ancestral food from around the world.

The book is divided into nine chapters: Diet and Kitchen Fundamentals; Sauces, Condiments, and Other Basics; Vegetables; Starches; Red Meats; Pork; Poultry and Eggs; Seafood; and Fruits and Desserts. He begins by offering his six guiding principles: Eat nutrient-rich, low-toxicity foods; plan for an ideal macronutrient ratio (e.g. 50% fat, 30% proteins, 20% carbs); prepare historically appropriate dishes; strive for natural umami flavors; use a variety of plant parts and don’t take shortcuts.

The Ancestral Table finds rice, potatoes and dairy acceptable, and Crandall explains why, however if one is following a more Spartan paleo eating plan, just omit these items. But read Crandall’s explanation before you make that decision.

Included in the book is a section on rendered fat basics, stock and broth basics and more. Before joining the Navy as a Russian language specialist, Crandall worked as a chef, so he knows his way around a kitchen.

Some of the more interesting recipes include Kalbi (page 146), a Korean style, English-cut short rib, marinated and grilled. These were absolutely delicious with a grated pear, tamari and ginger marinade. A little more exotic is his Beef Rendang (page 154), a dry curry found in Sumatra and redolent with cloves, lemongrass, galangal and coconut milk. It can be served with cauliflower rice. Coq au Vin (page 192), Butter Chicken (page 198) and Chicken Panang (page 202) are just three of the delicious dishes in the poultry section. The panang is a mild Thai curry and a particular favorite of mine. Russ’ version is outstanding. And be sure to try the Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes (page 254), made perfectly paleo using almond and coconut flours instead of bread crumbs. One of my favorite recipes is the Brazilian Cheese Buns (page 120). The ones pictured are tiny, but I’ve made them slider size as a bread substitute (the “flour” used is tapioca starch).

There are just a few desserts; after all, dessert should be an occasional treat, not a daily indulgence. But the ones Russ offers are superb: Maple Walnut, Pistacio or Mocha Ice Cream—who can resist those? All made with bananas in place of cream. Next on my list of desserts to try is Almond Panna Cotta (page 264). I’ve been making Pumpkin Panna Cotta since discovering the recipe on a blog, and this one, using a split vanilla bean, sounds wonderful.

The end notes list a valuable substitution guide and the recipe index, categorized by ingredient.
Gorgeous photos by Gian Cao and Russ Crandall accompany each recipe. This is truly an outstanding book. I should note that since many of the recipes are primitive and/or regional, it may be difficult to obtain the exact ingredient in some locales. However, Russ provides several paleo-friendly recipes for basics such as teriyaki sauce and mayonnaise.

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May 03, 2016 Ellyne rated it really liked it

As fellow reviewer @Danny mentioned, this book mostly features recipes from around the world that are naturally paleo as opposed to going for complicated substitutions of modern foods. I really like Crandall's food philosophy, which is basically a modernized, more relaxed version of the traditional Paleo diet. Note that includes some dairy and alcohol.

A lot of the recipes, while well-done, are somewhat unoriginal, and you can find similar recipes in other books or for free on blogs or recipe web ...more

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Feb 16, 2014 Amy Bowser rated it it was amazing

Russ Crandall, the Domestic Man, has produced a cookbook that will help you to create delicious, wholesome and authentic food. But it is so much more than that. His personal story and journey to heal himself with natural, whole food is very interesting. The cookbook will help you to understand and regain control of the nutritional density in your meals. It is a gift. He shows you the path for escape from the processed food hell that is making our population fat and sick.

The variety and flavor pr ...more

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Mar 03, 2014 Lisa rated it really liked it

Shelves: cookbook, health, gluten-free, non-fiction

The author shares his journey to health and how he came to create and write this book. This book is filled with authentic delicious recipes with clear instructions and gorgeous pictures. I can't wait to try many of these recipes on my family. Most of the recipes do seem to take time, so not a quick last minute, mad-rush for lat minute dinner ideas book, but given the time for prep and time to cook, fabulous meals with opportunities for lots of left overs, my favorite! ...more

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Jan 30, 2016 BookBec rated it liked it

Shelves: food

Not much here that was new.
I found it annoying that substitutions were listed in a table at the back of the book. Why not just put a line on the page with the recipe: "In place of ABC ingredient, substitute XYZ." ...more

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Feb 23, 2015 Sheila Brennan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Love this book!

It has so much information. Not to mention great recipes. Highly recommend. Finally a recipe book that uses REAL FOODS!

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Mar 11, 2014 Janet rated it really liked it

Shelves: cookbook

This was not your typical paleo cookbook--and I love that. There are a few recipes I will be repeating, and I'm very curious to make the Sephardic Jewish-Style Roasted Eggs (Huevos Haminados)! ...more

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Aug 26, 2014 Jodi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paleo, cooking

I liked it so much that I bought a copy!

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Jun 06, 2014 Grace rated it it was amazing

I got this book from the library to skim for ideas but it was fabulous. I am definitely going to be buying this one for my bookshelf. A great resource.

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About Russ Crandall

Russ Crandall

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Russ Crandall was born and raised in Washington State. After working as a chef in small restaurants for a few years, he joined the US Navy at age 20, and he continues to serve as a Russian and Indonesian translator. In 2010 he began chronicling his cooking adventures on his popular food blog, The Domestic Man .

He lives with his wife and two sons in Norfolk, VA. ...more