Product Description

"Offers the kind of cooking wisdom and inspirational recipes that I will turn to again and again." (Jennifer Hawthorne, coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul)

Written with the support of the Maharishi Ayur-Veda Institute, this comprehensive cookbook shows how to incorporate the timeless principles of Ayurveda into the twenty-first-century kitchen.

A result of Miriam Kasin Hospodar's twenty-year culinary journey, Heaven's Banquet draws from a rich palette of international cuisines and shows how to match your diet to your mind-body type for maximum health and well-being. The more than 700 recipes included here range from Thai Corn Fritters and Asian- Cajun Eggplant Gumbo to West African Avocado Mousse and Mocha-Spice Cake with Coffee Cream Frosting. Readers will discover the most effective methods of preparing food, the benefits of eating seasonally for individual types, and how to create a diet for the entire family. There are special sections on how to lose weight and control sugar sensitivity, a questionnaire to help determine mind-body type, and essential ingredients for a well-stocked Ayurvedic kitchen.

Fully illustrated, and written for everyone from the beginner cook to the experienced chef, Heaven's Banquet shows how to use food to tap into your body's intelligence and create lifelong health.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #55846 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-01
• Released on: 2001-10-02
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 624 pages

From Publishers Weekly
"The Ayurvedic meal," writes Hospodar, "is designed to promote optimum digestion and maximum pleasure." Indeed, the Indian "life science" of Ayurveda has been ensuring the health of mind, body and spirit for many centuries. Applying ancient philosophical and dietary concepts to contemporary, holistic food preparation, Hospodar has spent over two decades researching and adapting recipes from three continents; the result is a wide-ranging compendium of 750 vegetarian dishes and a storehouse of practical information and advice. Twenty-six chapters, arranged by main ingredient (Grains, Tofu, etc.) and course (Appetizers through Puddings), present flavorful, healthy selections, such as Artichoke-Filo Pie, and Lentil Burgers with Herbed Ch?vre Sauce. The recipes are designed to suit each of three body typesAVata, Pitta, Kapha (readers complete a questionnaire to identify their type). Introductory chapters explain the tenets of Ayurveda and offer cookware, seasoning and menu-planning suggestions. Recipes are geared to the fairly proficient cook and, though not specifically low calorie, are often wheat-, milk- and oil-free. Illustrations and an amusingly eclectic assortment of quotations enliven the text, which, although devoted to serious principles, manages to be unfailingly upbeat and enthusiastic.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Ayurveda, which means "science of life," is an ancient Indian system of medicine that Hospodar calls "an art and science of nourishment." Hospodar, who has worked as a chef and baker at Ayurvedic spas around the world, has been working on this book for 23 years. Upbeat and sprinkled with inspirational quotes, it includes a detailed explanation of the Ayurvedic diet and a questionnaire that allows the reader to determine his or her dosha, or body type. The recipes, though clearly written, emphasize Ayurvedic principles over flavor, omitting, for instance, eggs, garlic, and onions. Many of the recipes call for the spice hing, which is hard to come by for many cooks. Those looking for a vegetarian cookbook with broad appeal may prefer Deborah Madison's excellent Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone (LJ 9/15/97). Recommended only where there is an interest in holistic health.?Jane la Plante, Minot State Univ., ND
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Hospodar follows the principles of good health and happy living laid down in the Vedic literature of ancient India and updated for today's vegetarian consumers. This prescription for healthy eating calls for lots of laws governing everything culinary. Ten commandments order bread making. Quotations from many sacred sources pepper the text. Thanksgiving dinner includes stuffing and cranberries, but this quintessentially American feast features not turkey but a pateof ground nuts and cheese baked in a pastry crust. A variety of ethnic traditions contribute to the text, and Hospodar reinterprets them all to conform to Vedic principles. Many of Hospodar's desserts rely on fruits, but there are plenty of satisfying puddings as well. Whether or not one follows all the Ayurvedic analyses of body-mind types, vegetarian cooks can find plenty of good ideas here. Mark Knoblauch

Customer Reviews

A Banquet of Information
I am relatively new to the Ayruvedic Lifestyle having read several books and consulted an Aryuvedic Physician. The book however is a wealth of information about Ayruveda and eating healthy. The author presents much general information in an informative and at times humorous style that is clear. The recipes are sometimes complex but once the reader assembles the ingredients, the rest is fully explained. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is serious in learning how to cook for balance and health.

My favorite inspirational cookbook
I usually shy away from cookbooks with no pictures because they're not as inspiring and it's more difficult to decide on recipes. However, I've been interested in Ayurveda for a couple of years and thought I'd try it out. I turn to this book everyday...It's a shame that people are writing reviews about the recipes in this book using too much fat or sugar. I wonder if they actually read the first section of the book that explains why the recipes are this way and to remember to honor what one feels like eating. Sugar has a place in our diet, but as Miriam states, those of us who crave sugar might have an imbalance. Those recipes are to be used sparingly. Also, if you find that you'd prefer cooking with alternative flours to white flour, or alternative rice to white rice, I think the idea here is to follow your intuition. These recipes are only meant to be a base for your ideas and not to be the end.

What I love about this book is the flexibility the recipes provide with suggestions for variations depending on your mood and what you have on hand. In no time, you'll be creating your own recipes inspired from Miriam's.

This is the first Amazon review I've written, that this book has truly inspired me to do so.

The Best Ayurvedic Cookbook
This is my favorite, most-used cookbook. It is the Gold Standard for Ayurvedic Cookbooks. The name of the book says it all. It is filled with wonderful, taste-full recipes that are fairly easy (for Ayurvedic recipes) and that turn out pleasing to all of the senses.
So many Ayurvedic cookbooks seem to be from post-Macrobiotic types that focus on the 'austere' and 'clean' aspects of food (so much so that they overlook the 'wonderfulness' of food). Ms Hospodar's book is about beautiful and sensual food that is true (as far as I know) to Ayurvedic guidelines. Her book is enjoyable to read and is full of useful information. I have used this book for over two years and still grab it first.
It is simply the best. It is not exclusive to vegetarians or followers of Ayurvedic. Any lover of good food should be satisfied with this Banquet's offering.
I highly recommend this book.