Rancho La Puerta Cookbook
The Rancho La Puerta spa in Baja California has been around for almost 60 years and has gained a reputation for its flavor-packed, low-fat vegetarian meals. Longtime chef Bill Wavrin, known for stunning his guests with his expertise, lets his love of Southwestern cuisine show through in his (mostly) simple recipes. Few dishes require more than a dozen ingredients, and he includes information on calories, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, and sodium for each dish. Orange-Corn Muffins and the Rancho La Puerta Granola have been satisfying guests after the strenuous morning hike for years. Dishes such as Mango Tomatilla Salsa, Broccoli Soup, Curried Rice Salad with Fruit, Banana-Oatmeal Cookies, and Blueberry Cheesecake will make you feel like you're indulging, but won't cost you more than 120 calories per serving. In between the chapters, Wavrin offers cooking tips (how to eat a mango; how to identify and prepare various chilies) and soothing ways to "take the ranch home" with you, including stretches and other fitness tips. If you can't get to Baja, this book is the next best thing.