A wonderful cookbook that harnesses the culture of Blue Zones and the benefits that come with their recipes. The way of life and eating in Blue Zones has a proven effect on those that live and eat there, and this cookbook provides a great guide to utilizing that culture in your own home.

First of all, this book is so pretty! The lay out is simple, organized and easy on the eyes. Your attention is directly focused on the recipes. Speaking of recipes, they're nothing fancy or too complicated which makes it a plus for those who don't have much time prepping or don't have much experience cooking. Ingredients can be purchased from your local grocers and the equipments pretty much those we use everyday. I also love that even if they have vegan recipes, they also recognized the importance of meat.

It would've been great to have a glossary of the ingredients and/or a short description of the particular food to accompany each recipe.

I enoyed reading this cookbook. It may not exclusively be Mediterranean but oddly enough reading this took me to those shores and the color blue made me calm and invigorated.

The photos are beautiful and every recipe looks delicious. The recipes I'm excited to be able to try are Fermented Mango Lassi, California Bowls, Minestrone, Pita Bread and Apple Butter. I would recommend this! Special Thank you to Cedar Mill Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really like the idea of this book, but I found it lacking in information, inspiration, and flavor?

There were so many cuisines from so many cultures, but there was no description of the food, the people, or the place from which it came. This made it feel like a collection of recipes rather than a cookbook.

The recipes themselves were also lacking and felt repetitive.

This was so vibrant and exciting to get into. The Blue Kitchen just flowed so well with such intrigue that I wanted to join in on the fun. There wasn't much explanation or teaching moments, mind you, just simply a collection of recipes to have and to hold and to try and to enjoy. Almost an important collection to have with just damn good recipes.

Plenty of cookbooks would go into explanation this, explanation that, which was usually fine and appreciated, but The Blue Kitchen trusted that you knew all that. You just want great recipes in a book and here it is - you've got it. Ranging with so many variations from. such different cuisines, this was just so fascinating and uplifting to get into!

Thank you to NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for a copy of this cookbook. All opinions are my own.

Unlock the secrets to a happier, healthier life with recipes that embrace centuries-old traditions, nutritional wisdom, and the remarkable power of food. From colorful salads to hearty grain bowls, these dishes are as delicious as they are healthful.

The Blue Kitchen isn’t just about cooking—it’s about transforming your lifestyle. This book brings the very best of these dishes into your home and proves that living a long life is not just a matter of luck, but something we can control.

The Blue Kitchen: 100+ Recipes from the Happiest, Healthiest Corners of the World is a vibrant and inviting cookbook that takes readers on a culinary journey through the world’s most joyful and health-conscious kitchens. Published by Cider Mill Press, this collection features over 100 recipes inspired by diverse cultures, blending flavors from across the globe while emphasizing nutritious, wholesome ingredients.

The book is divided into sections that cater to different aspects of home cooking, from appetizers, snacks, and sides to salads, bowls, soups, and stews. Recipes like plant-forward appetizers and protein-packed entrees highlight the book’s commitment to fresh vegetables, grains, and simple but bold flavors. Each dish is designed to be accessible and adaptable, encouraging readers to cook with what’s in season or available locally.

The underlying theme of the book is balance—not only with ingredients but also in the cooking process itself. The emphasis on mindfulness in the kitchen makes each recipe feel like more than just a meal to prepare, but an experience to savor.

With its beautiful photography, easy-to-follow instructions, and a focus on health and happiness, The Blue Kitchen is an inspiring addition to any home cook’s collection. It encourages a positive relationship with food rooted in flavor, wellness, and joy.

Thank you NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for this eCopy to review

I recently had the pleasure of diving into "The Blue Kitchen: 100+ Recipes from the Happiest, Healthiest Corners of the World" by Cider Mill Press, and I must say, it was an absolute delight!

From the moment I opened the book, I was captivated by the vibrant and wholesome recipes that promised not just delicious meals, but a healthier lifestyle. The book is beautifully organised, making it easy to find recipes for any occasion, whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a more elaborate weekend feast.

One of my favourite aspects of "The Blue Kitchen" is its focus on plant-forward dishes. The recipes are packed with fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients that make you feel good about what you're eating. I particularly loved the colourful salads and hearty grain bowls, which were both satisfying and bursting with flavour.

The book also does a fantastic job of incorporating centuries-old traditions and nutritional wisdom, making each dish not just a meal, but a celebration of food's remarkable power. The tips and tricks scattered throughout the book are incredibly helpful for anyone looking to maintain a healthier lifestyle.

"The Blue Kitchen" is more than just a cookbook; it's a guide to living a happier, healthier life through the joy of cooking and eating well. If you're looking to transform your kitchen and your health, this book is a must-have!

I have only the digital version. It would have been good to have receipe on left hand side and the picture of the dish on the right hand side, I had to turn the page to see what it looked like. I do like a few sentences describing the dish above the ingredients and this would have been helpful especially when the name of the dish is not familiar to me, It would have described what the dish was and gave some background to it and made the dishes more interesting.

I do like the look of the powke bowls.

The Blue Kitchen focuses on plant forward recipes. to live a balanced fulfilled lifestyle

The Sections are
Appetizers, Snacks, & Sides
Salads & Bowls
Soups & Stews
Entrees
Appendix

Each recipe has yield, active time, total time, ingredients, and directions. The photography in the cookbooks were stunning. The recipes are inspired from cuisines around the world.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The recipes found in this book are plant forward. There is some meat and fish recipes but even when they are included they are mindful about proportions. After the introduction to the book and having flipped through the entire thing, I wished there was more insight to the cultures and people that each recipe came from. Instead it was a hodgepodge of different cuisine types mixed together with no information on the culture's they hailed from. This book is based off the Blue Zones and the only information we got on that was in the intro. Even a few sentences under each recipe could make the difference. Especially if you include what region the recipes are from!

The recipes were ordered by meal type, meaning, snacks/appetizers, salads/bowls, entrees, etc. The sauces or accompanying recipes were thrown into an appendix at the back of the book, which I think is a bit odd.

One thing I did not like in this copy was that the photos for the recipe were on the wrong page. For instance, the recipe for blueberry and chia jam had a photo of caponata (eggplants, olives, capers, tomatoes, etc) with it. The photo of the jam was next to a Natto recipe, which is bacteria fermented soybeans. Hopefully that got fixed!

Thank you to Cider Mill Press and NetGalley for the ARC! ♥

A lovely concept, but something about the execution didn’t quite hit the mark. That said, there are still some gems in here, and I wouldn’t mind revisiting a few recipes.

This book is based on the Blue Zone diet and provides recipes that can be used to implement these nutritional principles: less meat. more plants, and smaller portions. It is worth noting that there is no information on the diet itself beyond the recipes, so those who want to know more about it will need to get information elsewhere. The recipes are not entirely plant-based, but where animal protein is included, it is in a light, nutrient-dense package.

The recipes are clearly presented, with a list of ingredients and clear instructions, along with the number of servings, active time and total time. I was a little annoyed by the recipes that referred to other recipes (e.g. for the Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Tahini and Feta you have to flick to another page to get the recipe for the tahini sauce), but this is personal preference as I like to see all of the steps of a recipe at the same time. The book is divided into the following sections: Appetizers, Snacks and Sides; Salads and Bowls; Soups and Stews, and Entrees. At the end, there is a conversion tale for weights, volumes, lengths and temperatures, and a recipe index. The photographs of the recipes are gorgeous as are the illustrations - both would make owning this book in physical form worth it for me.

While the recipes seem delicious, a lot of them are (understandably) tailored more to an adult palate, so this is not a cookbook I would regularly use for family dinners at home. Some of the recipes I really want to try are: Caponata, Kimchi-Stuffed Cucumbers, Vegan Poke Bowls, Saffron & Mussel Soup, and Grilled Pork Loin with Green Goddess Pesto.

A recommended read for those who are looking to improve the nutritional value of the food they eat and who are not feeding picky eaters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Some of the ingredients will be a bit hard to get hold of but I’ll definitely be trying them. The main recipes look more enticing than some of the starters and snacks. It’s a great premise for a book; to increase longevity through food.

I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m trying my best to thrive in 2025. Bettering my health is one of my main goals and I am so happy this book came into my life at this point. We are always hearing “the Mediterranean diet is the best,” and this book is chockful of amazing recipes to help incorporate more ingredients and food from the region. The photography is stunning as well.

The recipes I tried and loved from each section before reviewing were:
Appetizers, Snacks & Sides – Peperonata, Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Fermented Mango Lassi & Spicy Carrots
Salads & Bowls – Cauliflower Shawarma Bowl & Greek Chicken Bowls
Soups & Stews – Minestrone
Entrees – Beet Poke, Grilled Pork Loin with Green Goddess Pesto, & Crispy Lemon Chickpea Cakes

I tried to stay a bit basic (due to time and budget currently), but I loved each of these. I enjoyed it all around and can’t wait to make a few more recipes from it for family and friends on special occasions.

Thank you to #NetGalley for a review copy of #TheBlueKitchen. All feedback is my unbiased opinion, not paid, and simply for the love of books.

This is one of those cookbooks where almost every page will be folded down as a "must try".

The photographs are beautiful, and while the text is light on any extra details or stories for each, the recipes seem solid and do-able for the home cook. A good chunk of the dishes are plant-based, but there are also ones that feature chicken, shrimp, pork, and salmon. I'm really looking forward to trying some (most!) of the recipes here.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

What a beautiful cookbook with unique, accessible recipes. I enjoyed learning more about ingredients associated with cultures with long lifespans. The recipes are interesting, incorporating a variety of nutritious, delicious foods. The photographs are visually stunning. Most recipes contain ingredients that are easy to find in most grocery stores, with some ingredients that may be more seasonal or challenging to locate. Though this is not a 100% plant based cookbook, the recipes are definitely plant-focused, with animal products added sparingly.

Overall a wonderful book to add to your cookbook shelf!

I actually had everything in my pantry to create the fermented blueberry and chia jam on day 1 of getting this ARC. And the results were delicious. The photography and illustrations in this cookbook are stunning. I've never thought to put tahini and feta on brussel sprouts- turns out it' a fantastic combination. 5 stars. The recipes are easy to follow and mostly do not contain ingredients that would be hard to source. What I miss in this cookbook is why any of these recipes fit the bill for being bluezone. There are no introductions to the recipes. Thank you to the publisher for an ArC copy of this book.

A beautifully illustrated cookbook. The recipes are easy well written and easy to follow. I made quite a few of the recipes and…yum. The crispy lemon and chickpea cakes are so good and now are on my list of comfort foods. If you’re not a fan of Brussel sprouts, the crispy sprouts with tahini and feta will change your mind immediately. And the cauliflower tabouleh and chicken meatballs tasted as good as the photo looked. Definitely glad to have this book on my shelf. This book is a great combination of healthy eating, easy prep and delicious tasty delights.

Eat better to live longer.

These recipes originate from blue zones.
Healthy, plant based as well as protein based recipes.
Very informative with easy recipes, well laid out and attainable.
Recommend.

With vibrant images and thoughtful recipes, The Blue Kitchen is a delightful foray into some seriously delicious and healthy meals!

I found the recipes to be easy to follow and ever so delicious. With a plant forward, unfussy approach, this book will surely make your kitchen a place filled with happy healthy gatherings.