Healthy Cookbook Reviews

Hollyhock Cooks by Solomon R Jolar

If you've ever been to Hollyhock you will understand why I think this book sizzles. This non-profit resort/retreat center hosts workshops and retreats that inspire, soothe and inform individuals and families. Everyone breaks bread together in a lovely dining room overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Vancouver Island and the food is wonderful. It caters to specialty diets and focuses mostly on vegetarian fare that, in season comes from their own gardens but also includes some seafood dishes as well. While our family was visiting they even had an oyster roast! Cortez Island where Hollyhock is located boasts an impressive oyster business, shipping over 10,000 pounds per month around the world.

The cookbook is a compilation of the best dishes served at the center over the twenty five years they have been open. Several cooks contributed to the making of the book and only the favourite recipes were included. With these recipes being tested by hundreds of guests you can rest assured that they taste great. My favourite dog-eared page is the Hollyhock Yeast Dressing. I pour this flavourful dressing over salad, stir fried vegetables, and baked potatoes. MMM!

The cookbook has an amazing array of healthy foods that incorporate mostly local ingredients. You won't find ingredients in their recipes that aren't readily available and as they focus on local food it serves up a sustainable feast. Each recipe has both metric and English measurements with cooks tips throughout.

This cookbook fits the philosophy of the Healing Kitchen by combining fresh, local and nutritious foods into dishes that tantalize the senses and stimulate healing of the body, mind and spirit. Why not try the Salmon Salad with Capers and Chipotle or Thai Sweet Potato Soup, then add Herbed Polenta Torta with Spinach and Mushrooms and follow it with Portuguese Rice Pudding. You will have created a meal anyone would be proud to serve and delighted to eat.

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