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Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook : Everyday Herbalism and Recipes for Radical Wellness
“Every page of this stunningly beautiful book overflows with seasonal wisdom, herbal teachings, and unique recipes for health and well-being. But more than just another book of delicious seasonal recipes, The Kosmic Kitchen is a colorful compendium of sensory delights, a wellness manual, and an herbal cookbook all rolled into one. Colourful, flavorful, and fabulous, in every sense this book is certain to be a classic.” —Rosemary Gladstar
“For anyone starting on a path to understanding the healing power of plants and herbalism, this is your book. One of the things I love is the way Sarah and Summer go beyond the realm of infusions, decoctions, and the like, and really dive into the space where herbalism and day-to-day cooking intersects. Everyone needs a bit of kosmic in their kitchen!” —Heidi Swanson, author of Super Natural Cooking
“This book is a blend of all that makes American Herbalism unique and a joy! Sarah and Summer have brought together the beautiful bounty of the garden into the kitchen and married it with the joy of being alive. Using mindfulness as a focus, the choice of herbs, their preparation to make outrageously delicious recipes is clear and empowering. The section on the mindful creation of the kitchen space is irreplaceable. Buy this book!” —David Hoffmann BSc, FNIMH, medical herbalist and author of Medical Herbalism
“For anyone starting on a path to understanding the healing power of plants and herbalism, this is your book. One of the things I love is the way Sarah and Summer go beyond the realm of infusions, decoctions, and the like, and really dive into the space where herbalism and day-to-day cooking intersects. Everyone needs a bit of kosmic in their kitchen!” —Heidi Swanson, author of Super Natural Cooking
“This book is a blend of all that makes American Herbalism unique and a joy! Sarah and Summer have brought together the beautiful bounty of the garden into the kitchen and married it with the joy of being alive. Using mindfulness as a focus, the choice of herbs, their preparation to make outrageously delicious recipes is clear and empowering. The section on the mindful creation of the kitchen space is irreplaceable. Buy this book!” —David Hoffmann BSc, FNIMH, medical herbalist and author of Medical Herbalism
288 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2020
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133 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 6, 2020
This is a beautifully illustrated, helpful book that provides a wealth of information about herbalism and traditions like Ayurveda. After a very thorough introduction to these principles, there are seasonal plans with lots of recipes. I appreciated that the herbs covered included lots of ways to use them (like stir them into nut butter, put them on oatmeal, use them in this tea, etc.), which was one of my complaints with a very popular herbal book that is way over-hyped in my opinion. The authors are warm and relatable, and seem well educated on the subject matter.
I personally am far more interested in traditions rooted in the U.S. than in other parts of the world like Ayurveda (it just makes sense to me to use the plants and traditions that have evolved where you live) and I already know quite a lot about Ayurveda and don't really follow it, so that part of the book was less helpful for me. I also wish the authors had given information on growing and/or foraging the herbs. We are literally surrounded with health-giving herbs everywhere we go, from burdock root to elderberries to nettles (all of these are common "weeds" in most of the U.S., along with others like dandelions, hawthorn berries, etc. that are recommended in the book), and it is better for us and the earth if we can gather them near us rather than pay for them to be grown, packaged and shipped from someplace across the country.
That said, I loved some of the recipes and appreciated the wealth of information. The photos are also gorgeous. There are recipes that will work for vegetarians, vegans, paleo folks, you name it. I also loved that the authors gave the recipes and the herbs in a seasonal order, since our needs change with the seasons and we should use plants when they are healthiest and in season. We do this in our family since we garden and forage so much, and it really is a way of eating and healing that I think we need to all return to. I know I am counting the days until I can go gather nettles, ramps, morels, asparagus, violets and other spring plants. I'm sprinkling dried nettles in my soup and brewing up elderberry syrup in the meantime. With this book, I have a stack of recipes I'm going to try in the new year, and some new herbs I'll add to my list.
I read a temporary ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
I personally am far more interested in traditions rooted in the U.S. than in other parts of the world like Ayurveda (it just makes sense to me to use the plants and traditions that have evolved where you live) and I already know quite a lot about Ayurveda and don't really follow it, so that part of the book was less helpful for me. I also wish the authors had given information on growing and/or foraging the herbs. We are literally surrounded with health-giving herbs everywhere we go, from burdock root to elderberries to nettles (all of these are common "weeds" in most of the U.S., along with others like dandelions, hawthorn berries, etc. that are recommended in the book), and it is better for us and the earth if we can gather them near us rather than pay for them to be grown, packaged and shipped from someplace across the country.
That said, I loved some of the recipes and appreciated the wealth of information. The photos are also gorgeous. There are recipes that will work for vegetarians, vegans, paleo folks, you name it. I also loved that the authors gave the recipes and the herbs in a seasonal order, since our needs change with the seasons and we should use plants when they are healthiest and in season. We do this in our family since we garden and forage so much, and it really is a way of eating and healing that I think we need to all return to. I know I am counting the days until I can go gather nettles, ramps, morels, asparagus, violets and other spring plants. I'm sprinkling dried nettles in my soup and brewing up elderberry syrup in the meantime. With this book, I have a stack of recipes I'm going to try in the new year, and some new herbs I'll add to my list.
I read a temporary ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
May 18, 2020
A well-written cookbook. One of those that is interesting to read as well as educational. I am not an herbalist, nor do I practice a sort of alternative type of medicine. Although much of this book leans toward topics on wellness both physically and mentally, I think there is something here for everyone. It's possible people might view it as more focused than I did. This is a book I would use but also place on my shelf as a cookbook/reference book.
I think I’m a fairly good cook. Definitely an experimenter. With so many recipes online today, there are some definite criteria that are of utmost importance to me in the purchase of a cookbook. Kosmic Kitchen meets those criteria.
It contains a lot of varied information. Not just recipes, but information concerning herbs, spices, and many other plant-based items. As I said I don’t utilize my herbs for healing or well-being. I view them more as a flavoring, but I learned a great deal from this book. I never shy away from trying foods that sound good or are good for you.
Another aspect (maybe #1) is that the recipes are well-written and clear. Writing recipes is not just a list of ingredients and how to cook something. A recipe is a well-thought-out diagram, aiding you in creating something in the most efficient and tasteful manner possible. Sloppy or half-baked recipe instructions are a bug-a-boo with me. I will put down the most beautiful cookbook if the recipes are not put together well. Even though I am a seasoned cook and could possibly figure out what to do, it’s a pass for me. None of that exists in Benjamin and Singletary’s book.
And also finally (also maybe #1) Among the recipes are unique descriptions of what various ingredients can be used for. All kinds of additional ideas; sort of a blank canvas to paint on.
And then finally (again maybe #1) beautiful photos. I am very visual. Often a photo inspires me to cook, to create, or just to make sure I am feeding people aesthetically and healthy.
This is a much longer review than I normally write. One with a lot of “#1” items. I tend to not read long reviews myself because I don’t want to know much of the story. But there’s a lot to describe in this Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook. A lot to be savored.
I think I’m a fairly good cook. Definitely an experimenter. With so many recipes online today, there are some definite criteria that are of utmost importance to me in the purchase of a cookbook. Kosmic Kitchen meets those criteria.
It contains a lot of varied information. Not just recipes, but information concerning herbs, spices, and many other plant-based items. As I said I don’t utilize my herbs for healing or well-being. I view them more as a flavoring, but I learned a great deal from this book. I never shy away from trying foods that sound good or are good for you.
Another aspect (maybe #1) is that the recipes are well-written and clear. Writing recipes is not just a list of ingredients and how to cook something. A recipe is a well-thought-out diagram, aiding you in creating something in the most efficient and tasteful manner possible. Sloppy or half-baked recipe instructions are a bug-a-boo with me. I will put down the most beautiful cookbook if the recipes are not put together well. Even though I am a seasoned cook and could possibly figure out what to do, it’s a pass for me. None of that exists in Benjamin and Singletary’s book.
And also finally (also maybe #1) Among the recipes are unique descriptions of what various ingredients can be used for. All kinds of additional ideas; sort of a blank canvas to paint on.
And then finally (again maybe #1) beautiful photos. I am very visual. Often a photo inspires me to cook, to create, or just to make sure I am feeding people aesthetically and healthy.
This is a much longer review than I normally write. One with a lot of “#1” items. I tend to not read long reviews myself because I don’t want to know much of the story. But there’s a lot to describe in this Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook. A lot to be savored.
July 20, 2020
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook is a well curated recipe collection and tutorial guide to food and wellness by Sarah Benjamin and Summer Singletary. Due out 4th Aug 2020 from Roost Books, it's 288 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
The book is quite well written, layman accessible, and it has an easy to follow logical format. The sections are split thematically: First, an introduction to the classical elements (earth, air, fire, water, ether) and how they relate to life processes, there's a bit about Ayurveda also. The second section contains info on tools and ingredients as well as processes in the kitchen and daily life. The third section contains the recipes and tutorials arranged around the seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter). The recipes are mostly made with easy to source ingredients (some specialist/herbalist ingredients may be slightly more difficult to source).
Ingredients are listed in a bullet sidebar with only American standard measures given. Info and tips about the ingredients or the recipes themselves are given in sidebars below the preparation information. Yields are given in the header info.
The authors have also included a hefty resource section with glossary, bibliography, and reading lists which include information for further learning/education, as well as a cross-referenced index. The photography throughout is clear, colorful, and illustrative. The text is printed in an easy to read font and graphically the whole is cohesive and appealing.
I feel most readers will find useful recipes and information here, but it will be of special interest to readers who are interested in alternative healing, Ayurveda, or classical elemental healing (earth, air, fire, water, etc). Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook is a well curated recipe collection and tutorial guide to food and wellness by Sarah Benjamin and Summer Singletary. Due out 4th Aug 2020 from Roost Books, it's 288 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
The book is quite well written, layman accessible, and it has an easy to follow logical format. The sections are split thematically: First, an introduction to the classical elements (earth, air, fire, water, ether) and how they relate to life processes, there's a bit about Ayurveda also. The second section contains info on tools and ingredients as well as processes in the kitchen and daily life. The third section contains the recipes and tutorials arranged around the seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter). The recipes are mostly made with easy to source ingredients (some specialist/herbalist ingredients may be slightly more difficult to source).
Ingredients are listed in a bullet sidebar with only American standard measures given. Info and tips about the ingredients or the recipes themselves are given in sidebars below the preparation information. Yields are given in the header info.
The authors have also included a hefty resource section with glossary, bibliography, and reading lists which include information for further learning/education, as well as a cross-referenced index. The photography throughout is clear, colorful, and illustrative. The text is printed in an easy to read font and graphically the whole is cohesive and appealing.
I feel most readers will find useful recipes and information here, but it will be of special interest to readers who are interested in alternative healing, Ayurveda, or classical elemental healing (earth, air, fire, water, etc). Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
August 20, 2020
Healing and Wellness with Herbs and Elements
The first thing you notice about this book is the vibrant colors and beautiful-looking food. This is not just a cookbook, even though it is called such. While it does have a large section of recipes at the end divided by season, the earlier part of the book looks at the healing nature of herbs, spices, and other foods more generally as well as has an extensive discussion of the five elements and how they relate to food, healing, and wellness. If you want to use nature's apothecary, you will need to have access to a well-stocked health food store that sells a variety of fresh and dried ingredients (or a good farmers’ market or perhaps you would prefer to grow your own when possible). Because there is so much to this book aside from the recipes, it makes for a fascinating read; I love to read cookbooks and books about health/wellness… so this cookbook is right up my alley. The authors state that they have a grounding both in Western herbalism and Ayurveda. These two influences certainly come through in the book. Before they get to the section of seasonal recipes, they also share some general recipes like how to make herb-infused honeys, decoctions, and so much more—so don’t skip right to the recipe section… or you’ll miss some good basic ones. If you see healthful eating as something more than denying yourself a macronutrient (as current diets tend to do), you may very well appreciate this book that tells us the healing gems of nature’s bounty that we should add to our diets to make them more healthful.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
The first thing you notice about this book is the vibrant colors and beautiful-looking food. This is not just a cookbook, even though it is called such. While it does have a large section of recipes at the end divided by season, the earlier part of the book looks at the healing nature of herbs, spices, and other foods more generally as well as has an extensive discussion of the five elements and how they relate to food, healing, and wellness. If you want to use nature's apothecary, you will need to have access to a well-stocked health food store that sells a variety of fresh and dried ingredients (or a good farmers’ market or perhaps you would prefer to grow your own when possible). Because there is so much to this book aside from the recipes, it makes for a fascinating read; I love to read cookbooks and books about health/wellness… so this cookbook is right up my alley. The authors state that they have a grounding both in Western herbalism and Ayurveda. These two influences certainly come through in the book. Before they get to the section of seasonal recipes, they also share some general recipes like how to make herb-infused honeys, decoctions, and so much more—so don’t skip right to the recipe section… or you’ll miss some good basic ones. If you see healthful eating as something more than denying yourself a macronutrient (as current diets tend to do), you may very well appreciate this book that tells us the healing gems of nature’s bounty that we should add to our diets to make them more healthful.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
August 1, 2020
I loved this book because it provides very intuitive and practical ways for integrating the wisdom of Ayurveda, western herbalism and elemental theory into everyday life. I love that it was organized by seasons - I’m already making things from the summer section!
Though it is not a plant based book, as I vegan I found the recipes to be inclusive as most of them are already plant based or could be easily modified.
I also appreciated that the authors acknowledged their privilege and that Ayurveda is not their cultural tradition - in so doing I felt that they treated this living tradition with reverence and respect.
Highly recommend!
Though it is not a plant based book, as I vegan I found the recipes to be inclusive as most of them are already plant based or could be easily modified.
I also appreciated that the authors acknowledged their privilege and that Ayurveda is not their cultural tradition - in so doing I felt that they treated this living tradition with reverence and respect.
Highly recommend!
September 7, 2020
The Kosmic Kitchen by Sarah Benjamin and Summer Singletary was an extremely in depth book about herbalism.
I was so excited to receive this book and read it. However, I found it was so full of information that is was too much on the first read. I found some of the parts confusing and hard to understand.
This is a book I feel I would have to read several times to fully grasp. I enjoyed the backstories and the edible weeds and such.
I really wanted to love this book, but I found it a little over complicated for a beginner.
I received an electronic advanced reader copy from Roost Books through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.
I was so excited to receive this book and read it. However, I found it was so full of information that is was too much on the first read. I found some of the parts confusing and hard to understand.
This is a book I feel I would have to read several times to fully grasp. I enjoyed the backstories and the edible weeds and such.
I really wanted to love this book, but I found it a little over complicated for a beginner.
I received an electronic advanced reader copy from Roost Books through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.
March 19, 2020
4 stars
Definitely a lovely looking book. Seems to be based on Ayervedic principles. Lots of teas, tisanes and congees. I have a book by Anjum Anand and what I like about her book is that she splits her book into Dosha's rather than seasons. I think an additional comment on the recipes as to any adaptions needed for say kapha types might have been useful. It's one to go on a Xmas or Birthday wishlist.
I received a complimentary unedited ARC copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Definitely a lovely looking book. Seems to be based on Ayervedic principles. Lots of teas, tisanes and congees. I have a book by Anjum Anand and what I like about her book is that she splits her book into Dosha's rather than seasons. I think an additional comment on the recipes as to any adaptions needed for say kapha types might have been useful. It's one to go on a Xmas or Birthday wishlist.
I received a complimentary unedited ARC copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 26, 2020
This book is gorgeous! it's full of recipes and informations about wellness, herbs and plant medicine. The recipes are very interesting because they're using all kinds of plants, herbs and roots. Everything that comes from the earth. It's so unique and awesome. Plants are natural medicine and this book will explain to you. Very nice! I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
November 25, 2020
I loved the Kosmic Kitchen cookbook. This cookbook is organized seasonally which is so well thought out. There are amazing pictures and insightful ideas and the recipes are functionally created. There are so many wonderful ideas and as a mom looking for natural remedies and functional medicines, I was so encouraged by all the information and educational tools. I highly recommend this book. It is filled with so many brilliant recipes and ideas.
January 2, 2021
The book is aesthetically beautiful! I think this book is a better option for someone interested in Ayurveda or reading about two individual’s journey into herbalism. I had thought this book would be more focused on recipes, but it really only provided a seasonal ‘tasting menu’ on restoring chakras based upon temperate climate zones. The book focused too much on the author’s personal narratives for my own preference.
July 8, 2020
This cookbook features gorgeous photographs and a vast explanation of herbalism and Ayurveda. A bit too much is focused on Ayurveda for my personal taste, but many will find that particularly useful, I'm sure. The recipes included are clear and well explained.
I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review through netgalley.
I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review through netgalley.
August 1, 2021
A beautiful book about how to nourish and heal with herbs and food, and not a one size fits all one either. My system responds well to natural healing, so I'm always looking for philosophies and recipes to help me in that pursuit. This book is excellent, well organized, reader friendly. And gorgeous.
July 29, 2020
A wonderful book that marries western herbalism with ayurvedic practices. I really enjoyed the advice on kitchen stocking, personal regimens, and especially seasonal recipes! Anyone doing major healing in their kitchen will definitely want to add this book to their herb book arsenal.
June 19, 2020
This a beautiful cookbook. Interesting and different. I love making so many of the recipes. Filled with colourful and delicious food. I recommend this book.
April 5, 2021
A bit too "out there" for me...
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews