Recipe Book Review: Infused! by Angèle Ferreux-Maeght

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Adding a slice of lemon to a glass water is common practice and is the very basic idea behind Angèle Ferreux-Maeght’s hardcover recipe book. If “water is life” as the book suggests, then this is the giver of life. Within the pages are 70 naturopathic ideas for infusing water to provide hot and cold flavoured drinks with added health benefits.

The Introduction discusses the importance of water generally and provides tips for cleaning your running water if filtered options are not available. From there, Ferreux-Maeght leads into the idea of infusions with natural fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. The principles and differences between detox waters, infusions, decoction, and maceration are covered, as are the benefits of spicing up plain water. The four pages of information are interesting and useful, but not enough to make this book stand out from the more in-depth information available freely on the internet. Ferreux-Maeght offers no unique selling point to warrant the financial investment.

Both the Table of Recipes at the rear, and the Index, are more useful than the initial table of contents, which only splits the recipes into Detox Waters and Detox Infusions. The first contains 36 recipe ideas, with the remainder in the second half. Neither section offers a list of what recipes are included. You need to flick to the Table at the back for that. Likewise, the recipes themselves are numbered instead of the pages.

The simplicity of infusing water means there is minimal text on each page. The drinks are made by the litre and require only basic instructions. Each comes with a clue as to the expected flavour. For example, “spicy and acidulous” or “fruity and tangy”–along with a note on the health benefits – “promotes digestion, strengthens the immune system” etc. The full-page photography by Anne-Laure Varoutsikos is as bright and enticing as you would expect.

Health benefits aside, infused waters and teas are an added bonus to any social gathering and will be sure to earn attention from guests. While most hosts focus on the food, the ideas found in Infused! will add that extra attention to detail at a dinner party or when lazing on the patio on a hot summer day.

Immunity (No. 13)

Featuring lemon, honey, and cloves, this blend is made and served at room temperature, although some ice cubes won’t go astray on a hot day. The recipe claims to tone and strengthen the immune system, and it requires about 30 minutes to let the flavours infuse the water. As suggested in the book, it’s a spicy and tangy treat thanks to the cloves and lemons respectively. The honey tones down the bite without adding too much sweetness. I enjoyed this drink more when served cold, although the flavour of cloves–which I’m not accustomed to in a drink–did make me feel like I was sipping medicine. Even so, it was surprisingly satisfying.

Classic (No. 19)

Lemon, cucumber and mint are the elements that make up this classic refresher. The recipe calls for a mini cucumber which I replaced with a regular cucumber that I had on hand. The result was that I used too much of it and the cucumber flavour overwhelmed both the mint and the lemon in my first attempt. Use it sparingly! Served chilled and on the rocks, this detoxifying bevvie is supposedly good for skin. It’s also good for the tastebuds and thirst on a hot day. Even visually, this drink begins to cool you down. It’s a winner all-round.

Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet

Distributed by: Simon & Schuster Australia
Released: February 2021
RRP: $29.99 hardcover

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