Need cookbook recommendations

[aravis]

Hi,
I'm going to go spend some birthday money on a raw cookbook. Can anyone make any recommendations, other than the obvious Alissa Cohen book? I'm new to this but I do love to cook.
Thanks!

[prana]

I like this book...Complete Book of Raw Food

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1578261430/103-0608378-4417418?v=glance&n=283155

The book has an intro to raw food and kitchen supplies, pretty basic, but good intro. The majority of the book has recipes from well known raw foodists such as Shazzie, the Boutenkos, Jinjee and Storm, David Wolfe, Rhio, Paul Nisen etc.

I found this book at my library and have checked it out so many times that I ended up just purchasing it. My household doesn't make a lot of recipes overall, but this book helped a lot with broadening our food base.

Hope this was of help.

[aravis]

Thank you so much. I will see if I can find that one. It sounds like just what I need!

[rawpriestess]

Alissa's book is number one in my book, "Living on Live Food", I'm assuming you already have it.

I also like Rhio's book "Hooked on Raw" it's excellent

it really depends on what you want it for, recipes, inspiration, technique, etc.

I also like "The 12 Steps to Raw foods" by Victoria Boutenko it is very inspirational.

[tvillemom]

I LOVE Alissa's book. I own "The Complete Book of Raw Cooking" that was mentioned above, and I like it because it has lots of different chefs recipes, and I also have Victoria Boutenko's "12 steps". I found that after I bought Alissa's book, I haven't even picked up the other 2....her book covers EVERYTHING! And most of her recipes are EASY, and so far everything I've made tastes great!
Wendi

[vickiesltw]

Hi,
I'm going to go spend some birthday money on a raw cookbook. Can anyone make any recommendations, other than the obvious Alissa Cohen book? I'm new to this but I do love to cook.
Thanks!

I can not make a recommendation on what to buy but definitely a recommendation on what not to buy.
I have Juliano's cookbook and some of the recipes are fantastic. However they are overseasoned, over complicated, ex. I used 16 oz of raw soy souce and olive oil in 3 days. That was with no throw away recipes. We ate everything. However, some of it we had to choke down way to spicey.
I understand if you are very experienced with raw food you may appreciate this book more

Lil' Brat

[heabrook]

I can not make a recommendation on what to buy but definitely a recommendation on what not to buy.
I have Juliano's cookbook and some of the recipes are fantastic. However they are overseasoned, over complicated, ex. I used 16 oz of raw soy souce and olive oil in 3 days. That was with no throw away recipes. We ate everything. However, some of it we had to choke down way to spicey.
I understand if you are very experienced with raw food you may appreciate this book more

Lil' Brat

I agree. I have Juliano's cookbook (I believe it is just titled "Raw"). It has beautiful pictures and the recipes do sound tantalizing. I have heard the same comments -- that his recipes are way overseasoned.

I haven't made anything out of his book. I've had dishes that someone made from his book though (wasn't that thrilled with it). Alissa's cookbook was a blessing though.. the recipes are great and there's less fluff (it seems in Juliano's book, there is a lot of beautiful pictures but the recipes are lacking)

[aravis]

Thank you for your advice. I didn't have any luck at all last night. I came close to buying Juliano's book because the food did look really good. I have experience cooking but not raw cooking. I don't yet have Alissa's book which is sounding like a very good place to start from everyone's responses. The problem I had with most of the books that I did look at was that there were so many recipes for sprouted things and dehydrated things. I'm just trying to figure this out and I don't have the money to invest in all the gadgets before I even know if this will work for me. I did get a Vita Mix because I found a 5000 one on Craig's List, barely used for $250!!! I love it and I figure I can replace some of my other kitchen things with it. I have mostly just been making the green smoothies and trying to eat sandwiches with lots of raw veggies for lunch. I really feel good. I'm so prone to cravings. I'm not very overweight but I feel like I could be if I don't change something. Since I have been eating more raw food, my cravings are GONE! I didn't expect that. So obviously, my curiosity is peaked!
Thank you for your recommendations, I will get Alissa's book and try to take this one step at a time.
Any other recommendations would be much appreciated!
Melissa

[vickiesltw]

I did get a Vita Mix because I found a 5000 one on Craig's List, barely used for $250!!! I love it and I figure I can replace some of my other kitchen things with it.

Pretty much my vita mix replaces kitchen gadgets.

When I need a coffee grinder. Just turn the blender on perferrably with the dry container but the wet works fine. (the wet container is the standeard for the machine). Anway turn blender on till setting is about 3-5. it is empty with the lid. I drop my seeds, nuts etc. in through the top and wolla I have ground spices.

Juice I add a little more water and less ice to my fruit. I get all the pulp too which is fine with me. I have never tried carrot juice in it. I do good to drink carrots as part of other things. Don't like them.

It chops dices does everything. Vita mix and a good knife get you about 80 % there.

I use an old dehydrator I got years ago. It may not be the best. but, 35.00 was easier to swallow for me then 200.00 for the excalibur though on my wish list. You can pick up the regular round ones to get you by almost anywhere.

As far as spouts. Take a mayo container or mason jar and rubber band a clean section of panty hose on it. Now you can sprout with the best.

Hope this helps

Lil' Brat

[aravis]

Thank you, lil Brat. That is very helpful. I am excited to be able to get rid of so many things. I have a small kitchen. I will get rid of my food processor, my blender and my juicer. That will make a big difference, space-wise.
I will look into the sprouting thing more. I assume that that is covered in the book?

[vickiesltw]

Thank you, lil Brat. That is very helpful. I am excited to be able to get rid of so many things. I have a small kitchen. I will get rid of my food processor, my blender and my juicer. That will make a big difference, space-wise.
I will look into the sprouting thing more. I assume that that is covered in the book?

don't have Alissa's book. But, I would have to say yes just cause so many people have talked about it going from step 1 all the way through for a beginner.

Look up sprouting in search forum and you should find some great info.

Lil' Brat

[tvillemom]

If I were you, I would get Alissa's book, and the first dehydrator I bought was a cheapo from Walmart that cost around $40...it worked great and gave me a chance to see if I would really use a dehydrator. YOu would be set I believe to do whatever recipe you want!! You could make great chips in the inexpensive American Harvest dehydrator from walmart, not to mention cookies and such! Good luck to you!
Wendi

[shakti17]

I agree about Raw, though the recipes are delicious, it is not very user friendly - so many ingredients per recipe! also do not get the other Raw, by Roxanne, for the same reason - too complicated.

I love Alissa's book first, and the Raw Gourmet (by Nomi Shannon).

I just checked out the e-recipe book from www.thegardendiet.com
(storm and jingee) - i totally love it! so simple and delicious, it re-inspired me to start creating recipes again.

i have raw food real world, but have not used it yet - i am looking forward to it though, the recipes seem like you can actually make them, and i have eaten at their cafe many times - yum! :D

[Nini]

I really like Jennifer Cornbleet's book.

[Apples'nAvos]

If and when you decide to get a dehydrator, I am going to wholeheartedly suggest one of RawPriestess's books.
I have 3 of them, and the recipes in there are divine! Not all of them require a dehydrator, but even those that do are super easy - and my hubby who usually wrinkles his nose at the raw food I make actually ATE - and picked at the leftovers by himself - the Spinach Quiche in RP's Breakfast Foods book.

[swingbolder]

I like the ebook "the garden diet" at thegardendiet.com. I think it costs about $10, but for $20 you can download all ten of their ebooks, some of which also have recipes (there's one for holiday cooking).

None of their recipes are dehydrated, the ones I've tried have been yummy.

For occasional gourmet stuff, I like Renee Underkoffer's Living Cuisine.

[Punky]

I like the ebook "the garden diet" at thegardendiet.com. I think it costs about $10, but for $20 you can download all ten of their ebooks, some of which also have recipes (there's one for holiday cooking).

None of their recipes are dehydrated, the ones I've tried have been yummy.

For occasional gourmet stuff, I like Renee Underkoffer's Living Cuisine.

I've been wanting to order "The Garden Diet" ebooks for awhile now.
Thank's for the recommendation guys!

My top fave's are:
1. Alissa's (it really is my favorite, and not because this is her site)
Simple, yummy recipes you can do for everyday.
2. RAW FOOD REAL WORLD ....I love this book!!! from simple to gourmet recipes
3. Renee Underkoffer's, "Living Cuisine"

[Punky]

I really like Jennifer Cornbleet's book.

I just bought her book, but haven't made anything yet.
I was looking thru it last night and it did look really good. Not to
complicated with some solid great easy recipes.

[divaitalia]

Great suggestions. I do think Alissa's book is really the greatest. The Complete Book of Raw Food is informative but way too complicated with too many ingredients for me.

My other fav is Rawesome by Brigette Mars and
Living in the Raw.

Where to get RP's books?

[Apples'nAvos]

Where to get RP's books?

Right here: http://www.theenchanted-castle.com/productCat50677.ctlg

:)

[Indi]

I love these books.....

Living on live food (a must have!)

12 steps to raw (classic)

juliano's uncook book (Great pictures and good to pluck ideas from, especially if you like to 'cook' and experiment!)

Kate wood's eat raw (useful ever day simple recipes that are easily adapted) :)

[TP]

I like the two that I have so far:

Raw Food for Busy People:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/141161836X/sr=8-2/qid=1143674414/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-9904712-7217652?%5Fencoding=UTF8

The Raw Food Gourmet - Going Raw for Total Well-Being:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1556436130/sr=8-1/qid=1143674626/ref=sr_1_1/002-9904712-7217652?%5Fencoding=UTF8

[Rawmommyof2-Sacramento]

Hello to all, I am new to the forum & are working out the "way" to use this so bear with me if I make mistakes.
I Love the book "complete book of raw foods" :D I ordered via Excalibur for $25.00... I like it due to the fact that there are A LOT of different tastes, spices, ect. I have found that some raw books you can tell the Chef's tastes eg; they will use the same spice they like over & over again & makes similar tastes in all the recipes.
I have found there is alot of variations & I LOVE IT!

[vegangelist]

raw food real world. it is a CLASS act! photos of almost every recipe. a gorgeous book, with the results to back it up.

also, raw food primer. yummy, small size, cute drawings.

both are on amazon.com

kristi

[jenna rose]

"raw food made easy for 1 or 2 people" by jennifer cornbleet is nice and easy one. quite affordable, too.