Review of Nourished, A Cookbook for Health, Weight
Loss, and Metabolic Balance by Judy Barnes Baker. Purchase: Here and Here
I have Judy’s first cookbook, called Carb Wars and
it is my favorite low-carb cookbook, besides my own. It is beautiful. I was anxiously anticipating receiving my
copy of Nourished and I knew it would be beautiful as well. I was not disappointed! It is a large cookbook like her first and has
tons of gorgeous photos (eighty to be exact!).
I said to Judy, her cookbooks are like beautiful heirlooms that she can
pass down to the next generation. Now I have two favorite cookbooks from Judy!
We’ve been friends for a few years and frequently
correspond. We can really relate to each
other and some of the ups and downs of cookbook writing. I was delighted to see some of my recipes in
her wonderful cookbook (she shared some of her recipes in our cookbook too). Recipes of mine that I spotted were: Splendid Low-Carb Bake Mix, Biskmix (like
Bisquick) and Biskmix Crackers, Cheddar Cheese Muffins, Favorite Chocolate Chip
Cookies, Cheddar Biscuits, Whole Grain Bread and the Two-Loaf Oven Baked Bread
recipe. Judy has photos for most of
those recipes too.
The preamble to Judy’s recipes is very interesting
and thorough with a Preface from Mary C. Vernon, M.D., a Foreword from Jackie
Eberstein, R.N. (she worked closely with Dr. Atkins during a large part of his
career) and a scientific perspective by Richard Feinman, PH.D, R.D. I even
enjoyed the introduction written by Judy and several other interesting articles
about low-carb diets, who can benefit from a low-carb diet, the birth of Fat
Phobia, and more.
There is a section where many of the different fats
and oils, sweeteners and low-carb products and flour alternatives are
discussed. There is also a neat section
for Snacks, Food for Travel and “Freebies”!
I’ve never seen that in a cookbook before. The Index is very in-depth and professionally
done.
This cookbook of Judy’s is different to her first
one in that it is a menu-oriented cookbook as that is what the ADA asked for
(long story which is on her blog, I believe and HERE (Jimmy Moore tells the story) – basically, they turned it down on
the premise that it was too low-carb! She was ahead of the times.). Judy gives wonderful ideas for menus for all
the different meals, special occasions and holidays.
My friend, Barbara Goldstein and her husband, made one
of the menus and this is what she said: “I
made Menu 3, pages 169 through 172, a wonderful Egg Flower Soup, Pork in Peanut
Sauce, Sauteed Broccolini and ending with a Coconut Mousse with Caramel Sauce. My husband, Jay, gives the entire meal a 10 –
highest praise! The soup was wonderful
made with homemade chicken stock. The
peanut sauce was pure heaven with the pork and pasta. The entire menu was so thoughtfully written
and the flavors balanced up perfectly in taste and texture; not too much
garlic, not too much anything – just right!
I love the idea of menus that are written so well. I will try another menu soon.”
Judy is so clever with her recipes. For instance, she mentions that smoothies
often contain bananas, but she said a perfect, low-carb alternative is avocado. She makes a wonderful Chocolate Avocado
Smoothie that might become your favorite!
Not only does Judy provide lovely, innovative recipes, but she also
provides tons of very interesting reading material and tips throughout the
cookbook about various products such as chia and flax seeds or coconut milk,
etc. I think Judy is the Veggie Queen –
said tongue-in-cheek – she sure knows her veggies! Plus, Judy tends more towards gourmet cooking
but she makes it look easy!
Hmm, as I read through the recipes, there are many I
would like to try. How about Chocolate
Granola, Dried Cranberries, Peanut and Chicken soup, Poached Chicken with
Coconut Curry Sauce served over Hominy Faux rice and with Chayote Chutney on
the side, Carnitas Soup, Protein bars (these look seriously good!), Sautéed Cabbage
(simple but really good!), Snow Pudding with Custard Sauce, Jicama Shoestring
Fries, Oven Baked Fish Fillets, “Apple” Cobbler, Barbecued Country-Style Ribs,
Cheese Polenta, Yellow Cake with Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting, Ginger
Pumpkin Puree, Eggplant Casserole, Mocha Mousse, Celery Root Puree, Raspberry
Marshmallow Squares, Rose Flavored Ice Cream, Simply Roasted Asparagus, Pork in
Peanut Sauce, Waldorf Salad, Eggplant and Sun-Dried Tomato Mini Pizzas, Stuffed
Zucchini Blossoms, Coconut Macadamia Pie, Coco-Choco-Chia Bars, French Fries
(Fried Green Beans), Home Fries (using Rutabagas), Baked Custards, Steamed
Artichokes with Garlic Lemon Butter, Bannock Bread, French Style Peas, Ambrosia
Panna Cotta, Turkey Dressing with Mushrooms and Hominy, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin
Soup, Standing Beef Rib Roast, Browned Butter Sauce, Christmas Puddings with
Cranberry Syrup and Custard Sauce (Yum!), Cauliflower Faux Potatoes for Cottage
Pie, Hominy Faux Rice, and Rutabaga Faux Potatoes. These are just some of the recipes that
caught my eye, but there are dozens more to suit every need and taste all
artfully interspersed in various menus.
This beautiful cookbook is way underpriced! You will love having Nourished in your
low-carb cookbook library, as well as her other cookbook, Carb Wars!
As an aside: Judy will be joining us in volume 3 of Low-Carbing Among Friends.
As an aside: Judy will be joining us in volume 3 of Low-Carbing Among Friends.