A tasteful arrangement of South Indian and Sri Lankan dishes perfected in homes and temples as offerings to the Lord. Indian ashrams serve the finest cruelty-free meals enjoyed anywhere, and the monks at Kauai's Hindu Monastery carry on that 6,000-year-old tradition. Believing that good food is humankind's best medicine, they are sharing their secret collection of recipes gathered over the years. Includes a comprehensive introduction to ayurveda as it applies to nutrition and health, including the values of spices and herbs and their effects on the body.

How did medieval hermits survive on their self-denying diet? What did they eat, and how did unethical monks get around the rules? The Egyptian hermit Onuphrios was said to have lived entirely on dates, and perhaps the most famous of all hermits, John the Baptist, on locusts and wild honey. Was it really possible to sustain life on so little food? The history of monasticism is defined by the fierce and passionate abandonment of the ordinary comforts of life, the most striking being food and drink. A Hermit's Cookbook opens with stories and pen portraits of the Desert Fathers of early Christianity and their followers who were ascetic solitaries, hermits and pillar-dwellers. It proceeds to explore how the ideals of the desert fathers were revived in both the Byzantine and western traditions, looking at the cultivation of food in monasteries, eating and cooking, and why hunting animals was rejected by any self-respecting hermit. Full of rich anecdotes, and including recipes for basic monk's stew and bread soup -- and many others -- this is a fascinating story of hermits, monks, food and fasting in the Middle Ages.

A fascinating (and mouthwatering!) look at the wonderful food and drink produced by monks and nuns in America, Belgium, France, and Germany. Part travel guide, part cookbook, A Taste of Heaven is a delightful survey of the fine food and drink made by Catholic religious orders in America, Belgium, France, and Germany. From positively scrumptious beer and cheese to some of the richest chocolate on earth, the treats presented in this book are heavenly indeed, and author Madeline Scherb beautifully captures the heart and spirit of the holy work that goes into producing them. With vivid descriptions of the monasteries, their fascinating histories, and helpful advice for travelers on getting there and getting the most out of their visit, this book will serve as an invaluable guide. A Taste of Heaven also contains more than thirty recipes from notable chefs that incorporate the products found at these monasteries, as well as a helpful guide to buying and ordering these delectable ingredients if you are unable to travel to the monasteries themselves. Recipes include such delights as: * Flamiche (a Belgian version of quiche that uses Postel cheese from the Postel Abbey in Belgium) from chef and food columnist Sandy D'Amato * Brownies à la Mode with Trappistine Caramel Sauce (uses caramel from Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, Iowa) * Blackberry Cabernet Sorbet (made with Pinot Noir from St. Hildegard Abbey near Rudesheim, Germany) from Ciao Bella Gelateria in Grand Central Terminal, New York City Featuring lovely original black-and-white illustrations that perfectly capture the tranquil atmosphere of the monasteries, A Taste of Heaven is a treasure for anyone who loves spirited food, drink, and travel.

In addition to not eating meat, vegan vegetarians also avoid milk and dairy products and eggs. This cookbook is jam-packed with vegan recipes, including basic recipes for using wheat gluten to make "un-chicken" and "un-beef". Line art.

Monastic cookery, as it has been practiced through the centuries, is cherished for its emphasis on simplicity, wholesome frugality, basic good taste, and the seasonal rhythms of ingredients used. Healthy eaters, practical cooks, cookbook collectors, and recipe readers will treasure this edition of this classic cookbook containing more than 125 recipes, arranged seasonally.This best-selling cookbook from renowned author Brother Victor-Antoine is now available in paperback at a popular price. Healthy eaters, practical cooks, cookbook collectors, and recipe readers will treasure this edition of this classic cookbook containing more than 125 recipes, arranged seasonally. Paperback

"Of soup and love, the first is best." Brother Victor-Antoine makes a passionate case for this Spanish proverb in Twelve Months of Monastery Soups, bringing easy, delicious, soul-satisfying soup recipes from the monastery to your kitchen. From simple, clear broths to thick, hearty soups, there's a recipe to appeal to every taste. Arranged by month with an eye toward seasonal variety and at least one recipe for every vegetable native to North America, the 175 soups include classic favorites such as Cream of Corn and Tomato and more unique recipes such as Jerusalem Artichoke, Provenþal Rainbow, and Danish Onion-Champagne. With inspirational quotes proclaiming the goodness of soup sprinkled throughout and beautiful period block prints, Twelve Months of Monastery Soups is a celebration of the art of soup-making.

From a Benedictine monk and celebrated cookbook author, “hundreds of eclectic salad recipes from around the world” organized by month (Publishers Weekly). In Twelve Months of Monastery Salads, Brother Victor celebrates creative, nourishing salads—a cuisine in harmony with traditional monastic cooking. Monastic cooking centers on simple, fresh, wholesome ingredients, and monks rely a great deal on the seasonal harvest of their gardens. This engaging collection of more than two hundred delicious, satisfying salads is organized according to the bounty of the seasons from the first spring harvest (Salmon and Cucumber Salad) to the heartier fare of the winter months (Venetian Gorgonzola Salad). In each season there are salads that honor saints, such as St. Michael’s Salad, which pairs delicious ripe tomatoes with onions, olives, fresh basil, and mozzarella. There are also salads from places across the globe, including German Potato Salad, South American Bean Salad, and Indian Curried Lentil Salad. As Brother Victor says in the book’s introduction, a salad, carefully prepared, is always an occasion for celebration. “D’Avila-Latourrette tells readers whether a salad is appropriate for a celebration or an outdoor picnic, if it should be served chilled or at room temperature and if it should be eaten before the entrée or as a palate cleanser before dessert. Each page contains an appropriate and entertaining proverb or brief quote about eating, cooking or the spiritual life.” —Publishers Weekly