The Golden Door Cookbook

I was a guest for one week at The Golden Door in Escondido, CA the week of September 7, 1997. The experience was one of a lifetime. The most memorable experiences were the meals. And no, we are not talking all nuts, grains, oats, and greens! Although I am vegatarian, there was chicken, salmon, and other meat served to non-vegetarians. I remeber thinking, "If I can get food like this at home, who needs to go to a spa?" A "conscious cooking" lesson in Michel Stroot's kitchen at the spa was one of the featured events that Wednesday September 10. The cooking was surprisingly simple, yet the results elegant and delicious. The basic concepts of healthy cooking were emphasized - and fortified with a cooking demonstration. Dahl and an apple pie were made while the audience watched - from start to finish - under an hour. And yes, we ate the proceeds. Oh, and there were invaluable tips on making stocks - the real secret to adding flavor without the "bad stuff". The audience observed the Golden Door trademark vegetable broth being made (we lined up for this deliciou concotion like lemmings every day at 10:50 AM). I for one was shocked at how easy it was to please so many with such little effort. I couldn't wait to get home and try out what I had learned. Fortunately for me, the recipe book came out soon after my stay at the spa. I can honestly say that the recipes are quite easy to follow. The ingredients required are obtained with relative ease. Most importantly, the results are EXACTLY like being at the spa! That life-changing week in September 1997 now lives on every day of my life. I highly recommend this book for the simple, elegant, healthful, and delicious recipes contained in it. Vegan and vegetarian recipes are included. (I had my first vegetarian hamburger at the spa - and had to ask the staff to make sure I had not received a burger made with some sort of meat by mistake! )