Raw Food/Real World: 100 Recipes to Get the Glow (Hardcover)

by Matthew Kenney (Author), Sarma Melngailis (Author) "It sounds like a promise made in an advertisement for a luxurious beauty-buy this and you, too, can have this fabulous glow-something just a little..." (more)
Key Phrases: candied walnuts, maple syrup powder, fine almond flour, New York, David Wolfe, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Top New York chef and restaurateur Matthew Kenney and his partner, Sarma Melngailis, had been thinking of opening a Moroccan restaurant. But one night they were invited to a raw food restaurant -- and it changed their lives. They instead opened Pure Food and Wine, a restaurant devoted to creative, tasty raw food, and it has been drawing rave reviews. Dishes such as Zucchini and Green Zebra Tomato Lasagne, Golden Squash Pasta with Black Summer Truffles, and Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart with Vanilla Cream have given raw food a sexy new appeal.

The decision to go raw was shocking at first for these two ex-carnivorous chefs, but they soon found that preparing and eating raw food made them and their guests feel their physical best. Melngailis noticed a difference almost immediately -- "Light, clean, natural, and alive foods make you feel light, clean, and more alive. And sexy." This new way of life has changed their outlook on eating and cooking and connects them to the world around them. As Kenney says, "Raw foods and the lifestyle associated with it are so compelling and complex that we will be forever learning and growing. Already it seems that we have discovered some of the magic that life offers."

In this lushly photographed book, Kenney and Melngailis share some of that magic -- and show that preparing and eating raw does not mean bland, unsatisfying, or impossibly time-consuming meals. Using dehydrating, Vita-Mix blending, a nuanced understanding of spices, and unprecedented creativity, they explore a whole new outlook on raw food that transfers beautifully and easily from their kitchen to yours -- no matter what your present diet. And you'll immediately begin to reap the benefits of healthful, delicious, life-giving raw food.

About the Author

Matthew Kenney and Sarma Melngailis are the head chefs and co-owners of Pure Food and Wine. Matthew Kenney has been the chef and partner of numerous successful restaurants including Matthew's, Canteen, Commune, Commissary, and Mezze. In 1994, Food and Wine included him as one of their Ten Best New Chefs of the Year. His other books include Matthew Kenney's Mediterranean Cooking and Big City Cooking. Kenney and Melngailis live in New York City.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Cookbooks; 1 edition (July 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060793554
• ISBN-13: 978-0060793555
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (121 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,058 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

375 of 384 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Exotic but complicated dishes, May 4, 2006

By	Dr. V. Brockhurst (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I based my purchase of this book on the reviews listed here; however, I fear they may not be a good representation of this culinary book.
I agree that the book is full of beautifully photographed and mouth-watering delights and include detailed recipes to exotic looking meals.
My perception from a raw foodist point of view is that whist these raw food recipes require no cooking, please expect a lot of preparation time, particularly days in advance. Many dishes require a dehydrator, which apart from being an expensive piece of equipment, does require dehydrating for 6-12 hours.
There are also uses of heated foods (such as maple syrup) but the authors suggest strict raw foodists to try other ingredients. I also have a concern with the use of a lot of salt (the authors say they love the coarse nature of it in their recipes) and nut butters, which both ultimately are not a good thing to have in large proportions, whether it be via cooked or raw means. There is also mention of a lot of specific types of vegetables and greens, which is not easy to get a hold of by the general public.
The book is certainly written by talented artists of food, but from my point of view, a lot of the recipes (but not all)are beyond the typical householder.
If you are wanting to spend some creative time in the kitchen, finding exotic ingredients, then this exploration will lead you into culinary passion. But if you're looking for raw food dishes to whip up after work, you will have limited choices. I hope this gives the book a more rounded overview for those intending to purchase.

150 of 153 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous cookbook for ANY style of cooking, March 24, 2006

By	Elizebeth Neumann (Seattle, wa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I completely love good cookbooks, to be inspired to try new dishes and tempted by the photographs. This cookbook (or un-cookbook!) does not dissapoint!

Throughout the book are beautifully photographed pictures of Matthew and Sarma, their restaurant and of course the food! A recipe might be great but if it has no photo, or yet even worse a bad photo then Im not usually compelled to try making it. Every picture in this book makes my mouth water! Even meals made with ingredients I dont typically love are tempting me from the pages.

The recipes are clearly written and easily understood.The process for preparing the food is also explained throughout the book.In the back of the book is a special section for locating ingredients, whether easy or hard to find.

Special chapters focus on tools, techniques and the why's of raw foodism. Also chapters on cleansing, organic living and dealing with friends and family about your new way of eating.

Throughout the book are Matthew and Sarma's personal stories and comments. These make the book fun to read and as though they are speaking to you from the pages. It's not just a cookbook, but almost a journal of sorts and we get a sneak peek!

I have read a few complaints about the recipes in this book using expensive machines and taking too long to prepare. But I dont find this a problem. Ebay has given me many a good deal on dehydrators and blenders, Im sure you can find a deal there too!

But the key to any successfully run kitchen whether restaurant or home is being prepared. And that certainly comes into play with raw food. Unless you want to eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables as they are out of the fridge then you need to make an effort. Other raw cookbooks who claim to give you recipes in 10 minutes or those without machines may be fine, but I wouldnt want to eat them very often. Without using a dehydrator or soaking nuts and seeds you wont get any variety in texture as far as moisture content. Simply plan out your next weeks meals and make your grocery list. I like to prepare items such as cookies and cereals at the same time to let the dehydrate on the weekend ready for the week. And while some recipes require you to think about what you want to eat tomorrow, they are well worth the effort.

Who knew you could enjoy so many delicous foods on a raw food diet? You will find delicously tempting recipes for cereal, maccaroons, pizza, samosas, tacos, ice creams, smoothies, juices, apple cinnamon crepes, cocktails and more!

I am in LOVE with this book! Thank goodness for these two wonderful chef's and their creativity for raw foods!

Buy it......you WONT be dissapointed!

100 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST RAW FOOD COOKBOOK YET, July 30, 2005

By	Miss Mermaid "Respect Water" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

Hello folks, I have many raw food cookbooks, each with their share of good and bad recipes - but this one takes the cake! Matthew and Sarma have created a cookbook that is totally innovative and stands alone when compared to the rest of the raw recipe books out there. Having gone raw for a year now, I was busting at the seams, because I was becoming bored with many of my recipes. This book has enough new treats and entrees that will be my favorites for a life time!
Wait until you try their Banana Chocolate Shake, Almond Tart, and Tacos!