The Ayurvedic Cookbook

Amadea Morningstar & Urmila Desai

Besides the 250 taste-tested recipes designed for each constitution, this book has an in-depth discussion on Ayurvedic nutrition, tri-dosha, and special individual foods.

The recipes look deceptively medicinal, but are surprisingly very interesting with gourmet-like results. One of my favorite cookbooks-it contains many remedies for common health problems, and the dessert section has many varied desserts that are scrumptious yet healthy. Morningstar’s book is a general helpful handbook to become familiar with Ayurveda and what it can do for you through cooking and knowledge of food. One of my favorite recipes is Hot Sicilian Salad. It is a marinated warm cooked vegetable salad with an interesting mixture of tastes with an Italian flair, but totally Ayurvedic for your doshic constitution. I also love the Tofu Pesto (using fresh basil and olive oil as well as other interesting ingredients)… great over pasta and in sandwiches. Another plus for this cookbook is its appendix that contains much information on individual foods and their medicinal values.

Review by Sharon Kainauskas.