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Living Raw Food
June 26, 2009
It’s been almost a year since I learned that Sarma Melngailis was due to release a new raw food recipe book. Eagerly I awaited its release and Viola! Now it is here. Her newest book Living Raw Food is a food lovers delight, and I say this with much enthusiasm as I flipped through its pages and scan the recipes.
Sarma and her talented team of chefs present us with 100 new raw vegan recipes, direct from the kitchen of Pure Food and Wine, New York’s famous raw food restaurant.
100 Delectable Recipes
The recipes featured in this book stem from the creative energy of some of the restaurants staff, from the chefs, pastry chefs, kitchen staff, bartenders, and sommelier, who all contributed something delicious. I think this collective collaboration is pretty cool and love seeing their creativity conceptualized and expressed in each recipe.
You will find each recipe categorized either in “Quick and Easy Raw Food” and “Off The Menu”. Each recipe is wonderful, but it’s the second half of the book “Off The Menu” that really peaks my interest. These particular recipes step it up a notch, which I find fun and look forward to making.
The best things about each of these gourmet recipes is that none are too daunting to make, the ingredients used are accessible, and anyone can prepare the recipes in this book with great success at home. I like that Sarma points out that “preparing raw food can seem daunting but the margin for fixable error is in fact much wider”. I absolutely love this other point she made [echoing my thought or was I echoing hers], “a person really doesn’t need to be highly experienced in the kitchen to prepare most of the recipes provided in this book.
I adore heirloom tomatoes and plan to make Heirloom Tomato, Fennel, and Avocado Pressed Salad with Caper Dressing, Pistachio, and Mint. I’m having a major thing for mushrooms lately so King Oyster Mushroom Calamari, and Chanterelle and Kalamata Olive Ravioli sound like winners to me. I love the flavor of citrus and on the dessert front Ricotta-Lemon Tart with Sweet Yogurt Cream sounds yummy, and I’ll have to blend up a batch of Sarma’s Favorite Green Shake.
Biodynamic Wine
This section of the book focus on beautiful drinks using biodynamic wine or organic sake as an ingredient and there is a brief overview of what biodynamic wine is and what the term means. Some raw foodist indulge in a little wine, some don’t. If you prefer, you can certainly omit the alcohol and substitute it with filtered water, organic tea, or something else to suite your personal preference.
The Images
Great images helps make a recipe book great, like eye-popping photos that showcase the recipes, and this book has plenty. As you make your way through the pages of Living Raw Food, you’ll find candid images of Sarma, the people who make up her staff, and captured scenes of the happenings in the restaurant. Looking at these images I get the sense there is a friendly bonding between the staff, it’s a family affair.
Everything Else About This Book
Besides all the delectable mouth-watering recipes, you’ll find lots of information, like the basics on the type of tools and techniques used, explanation of ingredients, and Sarma’s personal perspective and insights on raw living food and the lifestyle.
I have had the pleasure of experiencing Pure Food and Wine and would go again in a heartbeat. I would be there often if I lived in the vicinty. If you are like me and live far away from New York City, in my case about 2443.79 miles, yet you would like to savory the delicious tastes of the restaurant, this book all 376 pages, serves as the next best thing to being there, as well as being a great addition to your recipe book repertoire.
That being said, I am thrilled to offer two (2) copies of Living Raw Food. Many thanks to William Morrow, An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, for providing these books for this giveaway.
To participate in the drawing simply leave a comment below. On Tuesday, June 30th, I will use my favorite random number generator to pick two lucky winners. The winning participants will be contacted via email and an announcement of the drawing will be posted at the right sidebar, under the heading “Announcements”. Thank you in advance and best of luck to all who participate.
More about Sarma Melngailis
Visit Pure Food and Wine and One Lucky Duck
Raw Epicurean interviews Sarma Melngailis :: Coming soon on Tuesday, June 30th
Other raw food recipe books by Sarma Melngailis
Raw Food Real World
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Comments
77 Comments so far
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Herb of the Month
Red Clover our featured spice for April. We'll highlight its benefits, showcase it in raw vegan recipes, and at the end of the month a reader's name will be drawn from the comments, and our sponsor
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I’ve been so looking forward to this book’s release. I really hope I win it!!! Thanks for the chance to get a free copy.
This book looks like something my kitchen can no longer live without!
I am semi-new to raw food and am having a great time making up recipes. Living Raw Food seems like exactly what I need to get me really going on my raw food journey!
Thanks for sharing!
I look forward to learning more wonderful recipes and tips! :)
What a thorough and great review!!!!
*Crosses fingers and hopes her name is drawn.*
Thank you for the great review!
I loved her other book with Matthew, it has fantastic recipes. I’m looking forward to this one as well!
would love to add this to my collection. Already have Raw Food Real World and Sarma’s good looks and healthy glow are a great advertisement for eating raw
I just listened to the Rawkin Radio interview with Sarma and the book sounds amazing – and so does she :)
Thanks!!!! for the review
Love Love Sarma’s cilantro shake!!!!
I am new to raw foodism(smile),and in need of different resources. Hopefully this new book will be one source I am graced with, including your website. Thank you for this great opportunity.
Wow! Your description of the new book sounds great. I can’t wait to see it!
Ohhhhh I wanted this book, but it wasn’t in my budget to pre-order!! Thanks for giving me a chance to win it! :)
Great review. I hope my name is picked! If not I will have to put this book on my wish list.
I must pick this one up! I am semi-raw; someday to be full raw.
LOVE Sarma!!!!! Have so been looking forward to this book!!! Hope I win!
Good luck with this project. Nice presentation!
Always wanting to change my lifestyle by going raw, a visit to “Pure” with my daughter- really opened my eyes and palet to this beautiful epicuirian world!! I love your website!!!! thank You!
ooh, the book sounds fabulous! enter me in the contest please! thanks!
Oh my goodness! I’ve been waiting months for this and been so excited about it…and I’m so sad because I have to wait a few months till I have extra cash, so maybe, just maybe….CAN’T wait to hear who won!
Sarma is such a genius, I just loved her last book. In fact, it was one of the main ones that got me into raw food! I want to be reinspired by her new book!
PICK ME!! PICK ME!! PICK ME!!!
Ingrid, this is a MUST HAVE!! I wish I could win a copy for my Mother in law, she is on 12 different meds and I am trying to get her to go raw and get off the drugs!!
love to you
deb
Ooh, la, la, another exciting giveaway! You’re awesome Ingrid! Thanks for the review. My repertoire of Raw books is expanding quickly:)
Exciting. I heard about the book coming out and wanted to see what it has to offer. Once you try some recipes make sure to post your reviews :)
Hi Ingrid,
Thanks for the great review. Like so many of the others, I look forward to reading Sarma’s new book.
I’m pretty new to raw foods but find that they make me feel better.
Thanks for sharing your review. I have been looking for another raw recipe book & will have to check this one out. :)
so my mouth is pretty much watering right now…would love to get ahold of this book :-)
Oooo, I’d love a copy of this book. I’ve had it on my wishlist at Amazon, hoping it would find its way to me somehow. I thought Raw Food Real World was great and can’t wait to check this one out too! Thanks doing a review of it!
Angelique
http://www.rawshopper.com
Me too! Psyched that this book is now out and really looking forward to seeing Sarma’s creations.
Thanks for the review..sounds great. Love her first book.
Patty
The recipes sound fantastic and since I’m in Wisconsin and rarely get to New York, I just might go out and buy it. Thank you for a great review
3 more days!!! i am sooooo excited. Thank you for the review!
Exciting! I can’t wait to check it out. We’re still in NY and have been invited to the book launch party. Will be great fun!
Sounds like an awesome book! I hope your favorite random number generator likes me!!! :)
Oh! I would love to get the book!;)
Those recipes sound simply amazing. I’d love to win this one!
Aww, I’m so glad to see Sarma’s new book coming out! I’ve also been eagerly waiting for it, and more importantly I love Sarma want to support her. :) I am a huge fan of Pure Food & Wine, and it’s so funny because I’m more into the food and My Alchemist Man is more into the Wine. ;)
I cannot wait for this book to come out!! If I win, I will be so happy and throw a dinner party for my friends!
would love to win the book … thanks
Sarma seems like a very fascinating woman. Looking forward to your interview on June 30th.
Love Sarma’s recipes and writings and have been looking forward to this release. It would be great to win a copy and if not will purchase.
Pick me Mr. Random Number Generator!
I would love to be included in the drawing for this book. I am so excited to see that she has come out with a book and can’t wait to see it!
Oh, I would love to win Sarma’s new book! Count me in!
If I don’t win the book I’ll definitely be buying it. Sounds like something really original and well-conceived. I’m really needing some inspiration for new dishes and who better than Sarma to look to?
Oh my goodness, I would love, love, love to have a copy of this beautiful book!!! Your generosity never ceases to amaze me, and your love of fantastically, delicious books is over the top! :) This book is one that will dazzle the tastebuds and the recipes I’m sure will dazzle my family and friends also, whether they eat raw food or not…how could it not?! :) … please enter my name into your drawing to win the NEWEST, most beautiful, tasty, raw-food book on the block! :) Cheers :)
I know my wife would love this beautiful book, I’d love to win it for her for her Birthday.
Thank you for this contest and for sharing such an exciting review!
Raw Food Real World is great. I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release Living Raw Food!
Wow! I would so love to go to New York and experience Pure Food and Wine. This book does sound like the next best thing until I can get to New York.
I am so glad that you reviewed this book I have been thinking about getting it for a long time! :)
pick me! pick me!
I will love to have that book! I’m a very fan of Sarma’s work and raw food.
Thanks for the chance to win the copy of the book.
Mango hugs,
Lau-raw ;)
Thank you for the review Ingrid. Another beautiful work of art for everyone to enjoy and create with. Joyful Regards, Corinne
Wonderful!!! Thank you for letting us know she has a new book!
I will be traveling to NYC this week and am so glad that I stopped by here. I will be dining at this restaurant for sure! Hope I win the book!!
Pick me! Pick me!! =) Thanks for the review. I loved “Raw Food Real World” and can’t wait for Sarma’s new book!
Great review. I want to win the book!
Nice review. It sounds like a good book to have.
I’m smack in the middle of Penni Shelton’s ‘Raw Food Rehab Experiment’ so this book would certainly come in handy…so glad that I found your site! :)
I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Sarma’s book. I so loved her first collaboration with Matthew Kenney. Not only is she a talented chef, but I love her writing style.
Especially awaiting the Lovely Sarma’s green shake!!! Gauranga!
Thank you for the great review. The book Raw Food Real World, her first book, has been so inspiring to me lately. I love the way it was written, and the photos are so beautiful. I am so happy I found this site. I look forward to exploring it.
Oh! I hope I’m not too late for the drawing! I would absolutely love to have this book. I’m truly enjoying my journey into raw foods and would love to try some new recipes. Thanks!
[...] Living Raw Food [...]
[...] Living Raw Food [...]
Announcement
Hi everyone! Hope you are having a great day today, and an great week so far.
Here are the names of Raw Epicurean’s reader/participants who’s number was chosen via the online random number generator:
Courtney Twomey #37 and Michal #49, congratulations to you both!! :-)
If you participated in the draw for this book but your number wasn’t chosen, you are welcome to participate in the giveaway accompanying Sarma’s interview, which I posted today. Two more readers will have the chance to receive either a copy of her book Living Raw Food, or a One Lucky Duck totebag and snacks. I hope you will enjoy the interview.
Woohoo! You are really doing a great thing by giving these books away. It’s a really fun give away! Thanks! Great blog.
As a One Lucky Duck regular, I’ve been highly anticipated this book! Thanks for the wonderful review :)
GREAT review for a great book!!!
I have been enjoying it so much. There is such great information about individual ingredients and the recipes are fabulous. It was really hard narrowing down the selection for our summer issue.
This book is a great addition to any library! Thumbs up baby.
(PS. Please don’t include me in the drawing)
XOXO
Rebecca
Purely Delicious
Would love the book!
To answer the question: If you could pick one of the amazing raw food chefs to prepared a raw food meal for you, who would you choose?
I’d have to say Sarma Melngailis would be my top pick to cook a meal for me. I loved her last book, Raw Food Real World.
I hope this was the appropriate place to respond to the question!
Many thanks,
dana joy
What I love about Sarma is that she is just a normal person living her life. She’s doesnt worship food and isn’t at all dogmatic. she rocks.
Hi, I am so thrilled that the new book has finally come out!
SARMA is such an inspiration!
I wish one day i get to visit the restaurant in New York.
All the best, Lidia.
SARMA IS SUCH AN INSPIRAATION!!
I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THE NEW BOOK!!!
I love love love new inventions in RAW recipes/foods. It’samazing how the transition has come by to give us so much to look forward in ‘un cooking’ Now that I practically made every thing from Raw Food Real World…
Looking forward to actually ‘owning’ this book. Hope I win. Never Entered for RAW anything. hehe… Joz
This raw foodist indulges in champagne/sparking wine. Of course it’s fabulous and not for special occasions only!
My husband grew a killer garden this year and we have tons of tomatos, cucumbers, squash, melon, peppers, beans, and herbs. I have been looking for new recipes to try and stumbled across “Raw Epicurean” when looking for a cucumber salad recipe. I think the cookbook would enhance our enjoyment of our garden and help us to determine what we will grow next year. :)
i JUST Found this site looking for butternut soup. Easy sounds good, Julianos book has a million ingredients per recipe :-)This new book sounds interesting