Ayurveda Cooking for Beginners: An Ayurvedic Cookbook to Balance and Heal

Ayurveda Cooking for Beginners is a helpful resource for the burgeoning Ayurvedic practitioner or inquisitive epicurean. Whether you have been dabbling in Ayurveda for a while or are completely new to the concept, Laura Plumb’s book clearly articulates the science and methodology behind the system while providing fun, flavorful, and healthful recipes for practice.I had been experimenting with Ayurveda for several years when I bought the book. Having read through several Ayurveda books that were touted to be for beginners but lacked approachability, I was pleased to discover that this book was a comprehensive snapshot into the way Ayurveda works, including explanations about doshas, their relationships to flavors and seasons, and how it comes together to help a person stay well. This is pertinent in Ayurveda, for without it, the recipes may not make sense to someone.Ayurveda Cooking for Beginners is not just a cookbook. It is a jumping off point to begin creating the space for an Ayurvedic lifestyle. By incorporating many of these recipes into my weekly meal plans, it has taught me to plan in advance in a way I never did before. It has encouraged me to pay attention to how flavors coalesce; how and why my body responds; and to really be present in the preparation and consumption of my meals.A person can keep it simple by focusing on the basics presented in the book, such as the various kinds of milk (almond, pumpkin, or coconut—you will never want to buy store-bought again!) and seasonal spices, each of which is easy to incorporate into an existing diet. Or a person can really dig in and incorporate a number of these stand-alone recipes in their weekly meal plan. You can begin with recipes that have fewer steps and slowly expand as you become comfortable and familiar with the processes.Experienced cooks will enjoy the more intricate recipes, such as the Cauliflower Tacos, Cabbage Salad, or the Crusty Apple Pie. Meanwhile, novice chefs and those who rarely cook can still enjoy the simplicity and time-saving recipes, such as the Sweet Potato Jackets, Chocolate Pudding, Pistachio Rice with Tahini Yogurt, and the various kinds of milk, teas, and sauces/snacks presented in the book.This book includes unique ingredients and methods for cooking, which encourages experimentation and play in the kitchen. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when working with unfamiliar ingredients. Yet, Ayurveda for Beginners encourages the home chef to have few expectations. Laura includes helpful anecdotes at the beginning of each recipe. She shares her experiences making the dish for the first time herself (e.g., chapatis) or provides tips and variations for the dish. The endnotes provide the ideal dosha and season matches as well as additional pairings or suggestions.While you can cook these recipes as presented in the book, you can also serve them alongside some of your existing favorites. For example, I love making the spinach paneer and serving it alongside curried lentils. The ginger tea has also become a favorite, and when I need more anti-inflammatory food in my diet, I add turmeric root to it.I have incorporated many of these recipes into my yoga retreats and workshops. The feedback is outstanding. Hands down the Cauliflower Tacos turn every head. (Some of our family favorites are listed above.)In my experience, it’s rare that a person buys a cookbook and uses it daily or weekly. I have dozens of cookbooks—each lovely in their own ways—but this is the first time I have returned to a book so repeatedly that I have memorized many of the recipes.Side Note: While not everyone will appreciate this books’ minimal inclusion of food images or other conventional cookbook approaches, those who are adventurous, curious, experimental, and have a general love of food and wellness have a lot to gain from this book.Ayurveda is different from other dietary structures. It’s not about counting calories or grams, measuring portions, avoiding specific food groups, or loading up on particular food groups. It’s an energetic food science and may not satisfy a person who is looking for predictably measurable outcomes. It will, however, satisfy those who enjoy digging beneath the surface of what and how we eat.Pictured: Variation on Laura's chocolate pudding.

I just happened to wonder onto this book and I have found that piece missing in my life. I have been very ill all my life because of a compromised immune system but I knew there had to be some way to fix it besides the conventional modes. I loved the quiz which very accurately determined what type of person I was in these three types. I could be one, or two, or three types. The author listed what type of characteristics I may have, what foods to avoid and eat, delicious recipes to get me started and how to adapt other recipes I should avoid but if I wanted it she had an adaption that made it "safe" for me to eat. What I was thrilled with is at the end of the book the author lists blogs to to visit to help me understand Ayurveda more, retreats to go to study and/or heal, and more in depth books to read from a variety of authors. This was easy to read and in my opinion spurred me on to wanting to learn more. The idea that if I get my mind and body balanced I may heal and seldom ever be ill again makes this book priceless. Oh, she has also made many of the recipes kid and picky eater friendly. Plus in the back there are vendors listed where I can go and get safe and/or organic supplies. But don't worry most of the recipes have ingredients that can come from the local grocery store. Nothing exotic and expensive that only 1% of the population could cook! Truly get your hands on this as your first step or your hundredth in the study of Ayurveda, you will not be disappointed.

So all-around great I don’t know where to begin. I’ll start with the obvious: Content. Wow. This book is exactly as advertised: Ayurveda. Cooking. For beginners (although I’d broaden that and say the recipes for sure are for *everyone*). Organization: Again, awesome. This book takes you from an ayurvedic primer to recipes that balance and heal to appendices and indices that make navigation quick and easy. Recipes: Delicious, and I feel so good (before,) during and after eating the food. The items are many you’d expect to see in any cookbook - from soups to burritos to teas and sauces and more - and I love the concept of doshas (there’s even a short quiz) and eating in alignment with the seasons. This book weaves mindfulness through how we eat to live and thus live fuller, healthier lives.

My GI doctor believes in Ayurveda. I got this cookbook with tbe hope that maybe I could help alleviate some of my symptoms though my dosha doesn't fit vata, pitta, or kapha. I went for the author's seasonal seven day meal plan, modifying it as best I could for my known FODMAPs. I found that I like kitchari made with chana dal or mung dal and make it often. Also like pistachio rice with tahini yogurt and spinach paneer. I couldn't get into some of the teas or golden milk, for instance, but the digestive lassi is drinkable. Three months into the seasonal diet plan, I went from weighing 112 pounds to 99 pounds. Not quite what the doctor ordered and there will be some changes. That said, If the Ayurvedic philosophy appeals to you and you have no GI issues, this interesting book is a good way to get started.

I recently started an ayurvedic diet and am delighted with the benefits: a number of minor chronic health problems are clearing up, I have more energy, and I sleep better. I now have about a half dozen ayurvedic recipe books and this one, which was my first, is still my favorite. The recipes are practical and easy to prepare, but most importantly, they're delicious. People who write specialty diet cookbooks don't tend to be wonderful cooks but every recipe I've made from this cookbook has been a winner. I wish Laura Plumb had written a few more! If you're only going to buy one ayurvedic cookbook, get this one. It's great.