The Whole Foods Market® Cookbook

July 29, 2002
The Whole Foods Market has been a pioneering natural-foods-oriented alternative supermarket since it opened in 1980, and their broadly appealing cookbook reflects a gourmet approach to healthy food. Appetizers such as the Spicy Chickpea Patties with Cilantro, Lime and Chilies and such soups as Sweet Potato, Corn and Kale Chowder have flavor kicks often missing from other health-conscious cookbooks. One-Pot Meals such as Spicy Mac and Cheese and Thai-Style Green Curry Chicken abound, along with hearty salads and sandwiches like the Mediterranean Tuna Salad and the Mushroom Goat-Cheese Quesadillas. Naturally, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan recipes, such as Kung Pao Tofu and vegan French Onion Soup. Main courses such as Athenian Chicken Roll-Ups, Lime Seared Scallops over Baby Spinach and Firecracker Shrimp emphasize fish and white meats. Sauces and dips such as the low fat Buttermilk Ranch dressing and the Spinach Artichoke dip double as marinades or toppings. The uneven Cooking with Kids chapter is sandwiched between some great smoothie and drink recipes, and to cap it off there's a dessert chapter with Lemon Lime Bars and Unbaked Brownies. Recipes include nutritional information. A glossary and information panels throughout the book explain how to do everything from storing chilies to keeping vegetables from losing their color. This ambitious book is one of few that both vegetarians and omnivores keen on gourmet-quality organic foods will embrace.

August 12, 2002
Whole Foods markets are part of a national chain of upscale organic groceries that also includes Bread & Circus, Fresh Fields, and other stores. This ambitious cookbook includes information on natural foods, menu suggestions, a brief wine guide, and a glossary, along with hundreds of recipes. Many of these are vegetarian or vegan, but there are also dishes made with meat, poultry, and fish. Some of the recipes have a "Silver Palate" feel (e.g., Raspberry-Stuffed Brie Wrapped in Phyllo, Sonoma Chicken Salad); others are more reminiscent of the early days of the health food movement (Millet and Yam Burgers). The prose is not exactly lyrical, to say the least, though someone on "the team" tried hard ("this potent soup has ardent New Englanders snubbing their taste buds at clam chowder"). The popularity of the markets ensures a good deal of demand.

Copyright 2002 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.