Keuneke's work transcends the traditional cookbook structure, entering a realm of culture and cuisine that provides a comprehensive experience that will likely be relished by all audiences. A delectable fusion of health and wellness, memoir, and recipes, the work offers an unrivaled sensory experience, complete with timely health advice, origin stories galore, and recipes delivered with such authenticity and simplicity that they create a homely feel throughout. The same awe the author experiences while standing with her mother atop the highest ridge on Salt Island is imbued within the presentation of every recipe and every travel destination.

The story is what makes Keuneke's work stand out, though. Whether it's the image of neanderthals roasting mushrooms over bonfires or her scintillating interviews with renowned chefs Carme Ruscalleda and Elena Arzak, the organic portrayal of life from the perspective of one's diet is easily relatable. In this work, Keuneke focuses on Northern Spain and the Spanish Mediterranean diet to demonstrate how eating the right foods can promote self-cleansing, eliminating toxins from the body while significantly improving coronary and gastric health.

As the author traverses the regions of Spain, she taps into history dating back a millennium. From thirteenth-century Barcelona to modern-day Aragon and its never-ending acres of organic farms, the evolution of "real food," as the author attests, is the only direct way to combat the influx of highly processed foods and the subsequent, inevitable health risks that follow. With over seventeen thousand Spanish residents hitting the century mark, culinary fixtures like sofrito, "that irresistible and shielding preparation of tomatoes, onions, and garlic, sautéed in extra-virgin olive oil," seamlessly toe the line between flavor and superfood.

As the work delves deeper into the recipes, it retains much of the same energy, storytelling, and personality that characterizes the first half of the work. Nevertheless, the recipes are crystal clear and easy to understand even for the layman. For instance, the instructions to make garlic prawns are concise and actionable, coupled with stories of Galicia and the ocean that add unparalleled perspective and meaning to the dish. At the same time, the author concocts unique recipes that one would typically not combine. The chicken in chocolate sauce is one such recipe that colors beyond the lines, yielding unexpected yet bursting flavors.

The vivid imagery that wafts throughout the work is its own special ingredient, especially when the author transports readers into places like El Sidron, a cave in Asturias that led to the discovery of yarrow and chamomile, herbs that are still prominent in the food humans consume today. Interestingly, the origins of commonly known items like artichokes and chili peppers (pimientos) are juxtaposed with lesser-known yet equally potent and exquisite peppers, such as piquillos, noras, and choriceros. To facilitate a streamlined transition from eating processed foods to a health-conscious, Spanish-Mediterranean diet, Keuneke breaks down five weeks of meal plans to establish a strong foundation and path to a holistic lifestyle change. At its core, the book utilizes the author's storytelling ability to demystify complex topics, ultimately delivering a poignant reminder that food, when consumed in its purest form, is integral to the human spirit—a pathway to living a quality, wholesome life.

RECOMMENDED by the US Review

A 2024 Eric Hoffer Book Award Home Category Honorable Mention

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