Heads Up: New Paleo Cookbooks

If I’m honest, the paleo cookbook that I’m most excited about these days is Well Fed 2 (available on October 22. WOOT!) — but a slew of other paleo cooks recently released recipe collections that are definitely worth mentioning.

What follows are not reviews of these books. I have not read them cover to cover, nor am I providing a concise overview of their merits and foibles. I’m sorry! I’m too busy taking photos and doing last-minute testing on Well Fed 2 recipes to even entertain the thought of cooking someone else’s recipe. The information below is more like, “Heads up, friend! These paleo cookbooks are available and you might want to check them out.”

The great thing is that all of these authors have websites where you can try their recipes for free before investing in their cookbooks. They’re all strong contributors who have proven track records in the paleo community. It’s clear that they care about their readers’ health and enjoyment of the food. Note that none of them are as strict as I am with my recipes, so they include various flours, some dairy, and recipes for paleo treats. I’ve included some of that info in my overviews, but be sure to check them out in detail before buying if you, too, mostly follow Whole30-ish guidelines at home.

Paleo Lunches and Breakfasts On The Go
by Diana Rodgers, NPT, of Radiance Nutrition

What It’s About
Diana is one of my favorite paleo people: sweet, down-to-earth, smart — and she lives on a farm! She’s the real deal, people. As Robb Wolf says, “Diana is one of the most important people in the burgeoning sustainable food story…” But her new, friendly cookbook isn’t overwhelmingly lofty and idealist. Instead, it delivers practical meal ideas that can be made with simple, fresh ingredients. And for those times you want something a little special, she’s got recipes for crepes, biscuits, and crackers made from coconut and tapioca flour.

Defining Quote from the Book
“I know the meaning of busy. My typical day includes running my own business; darting from my workouts to graduate school classes; seeing nutrition clients and picking up my kids at school. I’ve got a fast-action life and it has inspired me to create some easy solutions for tasty lunches and breakfasts that are Paleo compliant… Just want until you see all the delicious and quick-to-assemble dishes that will soon liven up your workday and reinvigorate your diet.”

What’s Inside
Diana provides a quick overview of paleo, then offers suggestions for how to eat in restaurants without abandoning your good eating habits. She also covers how to make paleo work with kids (which seems tremendously helpful if you have wee ones), common paleo pitfalls, and tips for how you can support sustainable farming. The recipes focus on wraps, salads, soups and stews, breakfasts, side dishes, and “entry-level essentials” like roasted chicken, pulled pork, and chicken stock.

Available for pre-order on Amazon now!

Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry: Gluten-free, Grain-free, Dairy-free Recipes
by Elana Amsterdam of Elana’s Pantry website

What It’s About
Elana is the well-known and much-adored author of the blog Elana’s Pantry and the book The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook. Her new cookbook takes her gluten-free approach a few steps further to full-on paleo recipes that are grain-free, but do include added sweeteners in the form of honey and a fat source with which I’m not familiar: Spectrum all-vegetable shortening. If you’re a Whole30-er, you might have some challenges with her recipes.

Defining Quote from the Book
“I enjoy eating comforting, familiar dishes that use terrifically healthy ingredients. The dishes on the following pages are those my family and I eat on a daily basis…. I think you’ll find that eating a Paleo diet is delicious…. and that the recipes here are satisfying enough to eat day-in and day-out.”

What’s Inside
It starts with a quick intro to the Paleo diet and recommendations for stocking the pantry, then jumps right into the recipes: Breakfast (bagels, muffins, granola, breakfast sausage); Breads and Crackers (tortillas, banana bread, garlic crackers); Vegetables (cauliflower rice, vegetable bisque, sautéed turnips); Entrees (chicken gumbo, beef with broccoli, sesame fish sticks); Condiments, Spreads, and Toppings (Caesar dressing, cherry berry syrup, strawberry applesauce); Pies, Pastries, and Crusts; Ice Cream; Cookies and Bars; Beverages.

Buy now on Amazon.

Primal Cravings: Your Favorite Foods Made Paleo
by Brandon and Megan Keatley of the Health-Bent web site

What It’s About
Brandon and Megan are the cooks behind the site Health-Bent. Their approach is primal, so their recipes are grain-free, but also can include added sweeteners (c0conut sugar, honey, maple syrup) and dairy (cheese), as well as a few things that will be a problem for Whole-ers (potato starch, a hamburger on a bun made of french fried potato). These recipes look delicious and definitely bridge the gap between the foods we remember fondly from our pre-paleo days and now. Many of them definitely flirt with treat territory, but there are lots of good ideas for everyday, too.

Defining Quote from the Book
“Whether they are comforting to us, are associated wth fond memories, or stem from curiosity to find variety and seek out new tastes, the desire for flavorful foods is universal. But we also want our food to be nourishing. It’s in that spirit that we set out to provide the best of both worlds, with foods that satiate our deep-seated, visceral urges, made from ingredients that satisfy our ancient, genetic needs for good health..”

What’s Inside
The authors do a good job of laying out their philosophy of ingredients and the primal lifestyle, provide a list of tools and equipment, advise on stocking the kitchen, then get into the 100+ recipes. Sections include Rise ‘n’ Shine, Meats & Mains, Sides & Salads, Snack, Sweet, and Basics. Full-color, full-page photos illustrate every recipe, and the back of the book provides nutritional information and menu suggestions.

Buy now on Amazon.

Everyday Paleo Around the World: Italian Cuisine: Authentic Recipes Made Gluten-Free
by Sarah Fragoso of the Everyday Paleo web site

What It’s About
Sarah traveled through Italy with her family, gathering recipes and inspiration to write this book that’s “part-travelogue, part lifestyle guide.” The 100 recipes in the collection are grain, dairy, and legume free. In addition to the recipes, Sarah has included planning tips for travel to Italy, including how to pack, sightseeing recommendations, and where to eat gluten free in restaurants.

Defining Quote from the Book
“This book is much more than just Italian recipes made Paleo; it’s a resource filled with life lessons that can only be learned when embedded in another culture, a book that will take you on an adventure with us to the beautiful, amazing country of Italy.”

What’s Inside
The beginning sections of the book are Sarah’s personal reflections on her family’s travels in Italy, including Milan, Bologna, Le Marche, Abruzzo, Rome, and Sardinia. Then the 100 recipes are presented in sections that represent the parts of the meal: Antipasti, Pizze, Primi Piatti, Secondi Piatti, and Dolci (desserts!). Every recipe comes with a full-color, full-page photo, and the back of the book includes a clever visual index.

Buy now on Amazon.

One more thing! I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that I am stupid-excited about Nom Nom Paleo’s cookbook Nom Nom Paleo: Food For Humans. I pre-ordered mine already — you should probably do that, too!

The fine print: I received a complimentary copies of these books, but all opinions are mine. If you use the links above to purchase books through Amazon, I earn a small commission.