5.0 out of 5 stars The best cookbook I’ve ever bought. Pleasantly surprised. Delicious easy recipes. Also, fascinating to read

A.C.j. · 27 May 2018

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } This is very clear. Even though it said it’s a beginners guide I find that if you learnt all information in this book and cook many of the recipes, you quickly become a bit of an expert. The recipes are very simple and easy and don’t use tons of ingredients. When the book arrived, I didn’t actually open it for two months because I was so sure it’d be very complicated and that the recipes would use tons of ingredients. How wrong as I was! The recipes have very few ingredients and are all exceptionally tasty. I was hardened meat-eater - quite addicted to meet, even though I felt guilty all the time because I love animals so much. However, in just a few weeks I easily made the transition to not just vegetarian, but to vegan! I would never have believed it! Get this book! It’s brilliant. And the commentary is riveting.

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to follow and make

M.A.L. · 2 February 2023

Only have tried a few recipes but so far is a good book to turn to. If spice blends are made in advance it will help make recipes quicker. All in all am happy with it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read and set out well

g. · 28 September 2018

Very informative with interesting recipes.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for a newbie.

M.B. · 14 April 2018

Excellent book for a beginner. Clear and simple to read and with ideas and recipes to make it easy to start. Interesting read and good reference book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

m. · 29 April 2019

Ayurvedic diets are a great way to kick start your way to plant based diets, its got great recipes and with good prep you can creat great meals fantastic buy today

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Cookbook

l. · 15 July 2022

Lifestyle cooking change. Have it to step daughter as she suffers from hayfever etc. Really useful.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ayurvedic for beginners

c. · 3 December 2020

Lovely clean copy, interesting and informative content

2.0 out of 5 stars Ok but not amazing

j. · 13 January 2021

Ok but not amazing, just because the theory part is well written, but the recipes are not my cup of tea. I also found the Ali Cramer book easier to follow in terms of food and recipes/ putting meals together.

The recipes aren't for me.

j. · 28 January 2020

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } What's great about this book is that it provides good detail on the principles of Ayurveda for beginners who don't know, and the recipes are mostly non-indian so they can applied to a Western way of life and taste buds quite easily.Unfortunately I flipped through and pretty much noped every recipe. Borscht? Gespacho? Not for me but may be for a lot of people. Mainly boring recipes, but definitely beginner friendly. The book is also set out in a rather offputting way that makes it a bit difficult to navigate my way to a recipe. There's no master contents at the beginning to find recipes, just a little contents page at the beginning of each section, which means a LOT of thumbing back and forth through pages trying to find where that one recipe I liked was hiding. Quite annoying, not reader friendly in that way.I would recommend Sacred and Delicious by Lisa Joy Mitchell over this one for beginners.

Good book

S. · 11 March 2023

The depth and vastness in ayurveda is excellent. In this book author made a good attempt to bring before readers the importance of ayurveda along with so many recipes and also written in a note to which dhosas they are applicable. Reading was a flow and I enjoyed reading this book.

No pictures

E. · 2 September 2022

This is a very simplistic book. The introductory information is really poor in my view. The recipe section is ok, but then again, what is a cookbook without pictures?!

Good book.... but

A.C. · 10 March 2023

This is a good book and well organised. However, this book has no pictures of any of the presented recipes. It's titled "for beginners" hence the book could be greatly improved by having some pictures. It feels like the author did not bother to cook any recipes. With my level 0 cooking experience the pictures would be appreciated.

An Opportunity for Play & Experimentation in the Kitchen

I. · 27 September 2018

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.