Kristen Hong, author of the blog Hello Nutritarian, brings readers her first stunningly beautiful cookbook and guide to refrigerator organization. Unlike a typical cookbook, Fridge Love begins with multiple chapters devoted to the history of refrigeration, the proper care and maintenance of a refrigerator, and where in the fridge to store various types of foods to make them last longer.
Given that Hong eats a strict vegan/nutritarian diet, seeking out highly nutritious and unprocessed foods, the eye-catching pictures of Hong's fridge burst with fruits and vegetables. The second half of Fridge Love offers more than 100 mouthwatering plant-based recipes, such as Pumpkin Hummus and Carrot Cake Bites. Each recipe notes tips for proper preparation and storage, as well as details on how long the ingredients will last in the fridge, considering ethylene production, humidity and many more variables.
Hong's tips apply to various styles of refrigerators, from those with fancy French doors to basic freezer-tops, which makes Fridge Love appealing to cooks everywhere. As a champion of a no-waste style of eating, Hong includes the typical shelf lives of foods based on where they are stored in the refrigerator. She also offers practical tips on how to fill fridges properly to accommodate maximum airflow, which can prolong the life of produce and other perishables. Sure to leave readers hungry, Fridge Love is an excellent, approachable cookbook and reference guide to food storage. --Jessica Howard, bookseller at Bookmans, Flagstaff, Ariz.