Leite’s Culinaria

Such a lovely review of The Conscious Kitchen, part of an Earth Day round up. Highlights:

Mantra
“You will never again stand in the market bewildered, wondering what to buy,” the author of this indispensable little reference guide says right up front. No small promise, yet Zissu delivers big.

Epiphanies
The author, bless her, includes a list of conscious chocolate makers (open the book straight to page 136). And although it’s not a cookbook, this little guide does include seven “recipes,” in a manner of speaking, including the simple, seasonal, satiating reminder that takes the shape of Roasted What’s-In-the-Garden.

Hippie, or Hipster?
Neither, actually. “Conscious food is for everyone. It is not holier-than-anything, judgmental, or elitist,” says Zissu. Thankfully, neither is her writing style, which has an easy-going, just-like-one-of-us, only marginally sensationalistic approach that transcends cliques and social allegiances. She’s not dogmatic, just diligent in her research.

Planet-Saving Potential
Immense. It could easily become as thumbed-through and trusted a resource for conscious cooks as Mastering the Art of French Cooking was for home cooks.