Sustainable Kitchen

by Jaynie McCloskey and Heather Wolfe

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Sustainable Kitchen is a well written philosophical guide to plant-based Earth-conscious food and lifestyle by Jaynie McCloskey and Heather Wolfe. Due out 22nd Sept 2020 from Herald Press, it's 320 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

Every day we're bombarded with news of the dire state of our environment and the strains of overpopulation, pollution, plastics and fossil fuel pollution, diminishing resources, and general man-made global climate impact on our planet. It's very easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless. This book allows readers to take some responsibility for those things we can control.

The introduction covers our interconnectedness with our environment, the connection between health and nutrition, and the basics of stocking and maintaining a resource conscious kitchen. The recipes are arranged thematically: breakfasts, salads, soups & stews, sandwiches & wraps, main dishes, sides & supports, snacks & sweets, drinks, and sauces dips & dressings. Recipes have ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar. Recipe measurements are given in American standard measures only, with a conversion chart for metric measurements provided in the appendices. Serving sizes and suggestions follow in the step by step instructions.

The recipes are varied and appealing but for me the biggest value of the book is in the extra information scattered throughout as well as the appendices. The authors have included lots of suggestions and tips for meal planning, processing and preserving foods, selecting and maintaining cooking utensils (such as cast iron) for longevity, and more. It really is a lifestyle book with useful recipes. During the current time of uncertainty with a pandemic and economic crises looming, it's a very good time to make basic sensible changes for sustainability, and physical and mental health. This is a really good book.

The photography is abundant and the photographs which are included are clear and well done. The serving suggestions are stylish and appropriate.

Five stars. I found a lot of useful information here.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.