Customer Reviews

Enlightened Soups: More Than 135 Light, Healthy, Delicious and Beautiful Soups in 60 Minutes or Less

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had my copy of Enlightened Soups for more than a month now and am pleased to give it an unqualified 5-star review. This is truly an appetizing, innovative collection. I love that there is nutritional information for each recipe (I'm getting to the point where I resent recipes that do not include such), and selectively offers nuggets of insight throughout; I felt like I was cozying up on a stool in her kitchen, listening to her talk, as I read the book. The recipes are tantalizing. I found the final chapter on Legumes and Grains especially appealing (largely because I have difficulty figuring out what to do with these ingredients beyond boil & serve), with such offerings as Hearty Brown Rice, Spinach & Mushroom Soup, Kamut & Chickpea Soup with Fresh Herbs, Tuscan Farro & Bean Soup, and Thai Coconut & Jasmine Rice Soup (I have tried all of these and will be making them again, often). I found more than a few gems in the other chapters as well, including her take on Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup (Pho) and her Salmon Chowder, the latter of which was so simple to make and delivered the "wow" factor that was promised. This book offers a fresh perspective and wealth of options for modern cooks to make soup the centerpiece of a healthful, beautiful meal. I highly recommended it.

Enlightened Soups is a comprehensive soup cookbook, filled not only with delicious recipes, but a number of relevant details in preparation and selecting ingredients. Grand prize Winner of the Food Network's Ultimate Recipe Showdown, Saulsbury has compiled an excellent selection for even the novice cook, rich, healthy ingredients in both traditional and innovative combinations. The chapters address: Pureed Vegetable Soups, vegetable Soups, Poultry Soups, Seafood Soups, Meat Soups and Legume and Grain Soups. As well, the indexes offer helpful specifics for the harried working cook: Soups by Total Time, Refreshing Soups for Spring and Summer, Vegetable and Vegan Soups, Especially Low Calorie Soups and Especially Low Fat Soups.

I cannot fail to mention that the book's design is especially pleasing and user-friendly, attractive and colorful presentation, concise recipes and nutritional details (calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium and carbohydrates). A thorough introduction by the author yields important information, time-saving suggestions. The author describes homemade soups as "a dose of serenity sipped from a spoon... as comforting as home itself." Each recipe is simple and delicious, "loaded with healthy ingredients", minimizing fat and calories, made in sixty minutes or less, a marrying of country and world, healthy and "home cook friendly". There are helpful tips for preparing these soups, including canned and frozen ingredients, necessary equipment and storage.

But the proof is in the eating, the selections as varied and delicious as any creative cook could want: "Petite Pea Soup"; "Italian Tortellini Soup"; "Sausage Soup"; "Southwestern Black bean and Rice Soup"; "Wild Rice and Corn Soup"; "Gingered Chicken and vegetable Soup"; even "Green Chili Chowder". A bit worse for ear, Enlightened Soups has proven invaluable for its wealth of combinations, healthy ingredients and savory spices. Luan Gaines/2008.

I've only made a couple of the recipes so far, but they are healthy, delicious, and easy to put together. It's exactly what I was looking for.

The recipes are easy, foolproof, diverse and healthy. I bought this book to help me stick to my diet while still being able to make dinners my whole family would love. It is absolutely perfect in every way, I have probably made about half of the recipes from it (some many times over) in the year and a half I've had it. Love it.

I LOVE Camilla! She's brilliant! Made the Black Bean Soup with Pumpkin, Lime & Chipotle last night. Absolutely awesome! Worth the price of the book. Can't wait to try other soups.

I love soup; in fact, it's one of my favorite comfort foods. I make it all year long, even during humid summers in Florida. I have made at least 15 soups from this cookbook, and all of them are delicious, nutritious, and easy to make. I've never encountered a soup book that provides so many diverse recipes and does not include a list of 30 (often esoteric)ingredients like other soup cookbooks I have. This cookbook contains all the outstanding features one can expect from Camilla's cookbooks: ingredients that can be found in most grocery stores (with plentiful alternatives for ingredients that may not be readily available to some), and a detailed, useful introduction that explains the types of ingredients used in the soups, as well as tips for making the best soup (like not over-stirring or boiling at high heat). I'm an experienced cook myself, but I always learn something new from Camilla's cookbooks!

These soups are rich in flavor, and I haven't tried one yet that isn't absolutely tasty. To get started, try any of the following:

Winter Vegetable Bisque (delicious; p. 27)
Soupe au Pistou (simply wonderful, esp. with fresh basil from the garden; p. 59)
Chicken Posole (outstanding! One of my go-to soups; p. 78)
Creamy Clam Chowder (I'm a clam chowder connossieur, and I *love* Camilla's recipe!! I've made this at least 8 times; p. 108)
Hearty Brown Rice, Spinach, and Mushroom (p. 145)
Black Bean Soup (the best recipe EVER! Another one of my go-to soups; p. 147)
Kamut and Chick Pea (p. 150)
White Bean and Basil (a super-easy, super quick, last-minute soup; p. 164)
Middle Eastern Beef & Bulgar (yet another of my go-to soups; p. 129)
Pasta e Fagioli (all I can say is---YUMMMMMMYYY! p. 146)

Buy this book!! Like me, you'll realize that when it comes to soup recipes, this cookbook has no rivals! (It makes a perfect Christmas present.....)

I'm a soup lover and this book has it all. If you love soup like I do you have to purchase this book. Lots of creative and eclectic recipes. Good eats!

The recipes in here look great. I have made one so far (cauliflower bisque) and it was very tasty. I just wish the nutritional information for the recipe included fiber. Without that info, I can't calculate the Weight Watchers PointsPlus value!

Enthusiastically recommended for personal and community library cookbook collections, Camilla V. Saulsbury's ENLIGHTENED SOUPS: MORE THAN 150 LIGHT, HEALTHY, DELICIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL SOUPS IN 60 MINUTES OR LESS offers a fine collection of soup options which include new takes on classics and many a different approach to soups. From Lemon Chicken Soup with Spinach and Pasta to Mongolian Hot Pot Soup and Gnocci Soup with Root Vegetables, a fine set of international flavors is presented.