The Primal Blueprint Cookbook by Mark Sisson and Jennifer Meier is a Paleo cookbook – with, you guessed it, over 100 paleo recipes that are loosely based on Sisson’s version of the Paleolithic diet. These recipes are low-carb, grain-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. There’s no pasta, no bread, no rice, and no beans – no kidding.
My wife and I received this as a gift in late 2010 and have since tried about a dozen recipes. There are things we love about it and things we don’t, and it’s about time I gave this paleo cookbook the review it deserves. Ultimately, this review is meant to help you decide if this cookbook is right for you.
Note: This is a somewhat lengthy review as I’d rather be thorough and cover all of the important information than try to condense this down to 500 words or less. Given that it will be long and detailed (please scan away!), I’ll tell you right up front that my wife and I unanimously agreed to award this 2 out of 5 stars. That may sound like a low rating, and it is, but those two stars might be reason enough to purchase this cookbook if it aligns with your nutritional philosophy. Please don’t disregard this paleo cookbook simply because of the low rating. We’re still happy with it and plan to continue using it in the future.
The Noms Master Speaks
First things first, who am I to be recommending any particular cookbook – especially a paleo cookbook? Well, you should probably know that I am NOT an expert in nutrition. I literally have ZERO credentials. Sure, I aced nutrition 101 in college and have read a lot of books on the subject, but that doesn’t mean diddly, and it certainly doesn’t make me an expert.
Though I am neither a nutritionist or dietitian, I am an expert in something else. I like to call it “eating.” My credibility is based on a lifetime of experience. I’ve literally been doing this my entire life. In fact, I’m even considered a guru in my local community (true story). This review is completely based on that perspective. Please keep that in mind while reading it (this isn’t nutritional advice).
What’s to Love About The Primal Blueprint Cookbook
It was very difficult trying to finalize our overall rating of this book, but it wasn’t hard to determine what would ultimately contribute to awarding it two full stars.
Yummy in Your Tummy
100% Primal Bacon Poppers
The paleo recipes in this cookbook are, in a word, delicious. In 28 words, this book is chock-full of appetizing, delectable, luscious, mouthwatering, savory, scrumptious, tasty, and finally, palatable paleo recipes that are fit for a king and border on divine. Succulent doesn’t do it justice, but it’s close. Exquisite is a fine descriptive word, but it’s a bit girly for my taste (no pun intended).
Seriously, almost everything we have tried (10 out of 12 recipes) have been utterly delicious, and fully-approved by everyone present. This is no small feat either. Usually, when you start using a new cookbook, you try a few recipes, and you get mixed results. The first one could be a clear winner – a “keeper.” But then you try another one, and it’s good, but not great. You probably won’t try it again. Then again, you try a third recipe and it’s awful – a complete dud and you’ll never, ever make it again. It has been our experience that you have to wade through the so-so recipes and the not-even-close-to-so-so recipes in order to find the real winners. That’s not the case with this cookbook. You will be pleasantly surprised with the end results.
Maybe we’ve just tried all the good ones (I doubt it), but if probability is on our side, then the majority of the recipes in the Primal Blueprint Cookbook are keepers. If you ask me, good food is reason enough to purchase a cookbook. That said, there’s probably some more info you’d like to know before you buy.
Continue reading The Primal Blueprint Cookbook – Complete Review (2 out of 5 stars)
