Pamper Your Palate

Savor this: Mandarin Cornish hen spiced with tarragon, curry, and sage; tomatoes stuffed with kernel corn and chopped green pepper; brownies baked with applesauce, chopped walnuts, and milk chocolate chips. This is a meal that would make even Giada de Laurentiis drool. But what she, and perhaps you, might be surprised to know is that these dishes are part of an über-healthy trend called spa cuisine.

Often when people think of spa food, they envision lettuce, tofu, and raw vegetables. But spa cuisine isn’t a diet; it includes satisfying meals made with whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats, says Linda Jaqueth, general manager of Birdwing Spa in Litchfield.

“I think there’s been a misconception that spa cuisine is a very stark food on a big plate that’s not very flavorful,” says David Owen Jones, executive chef at The Marsh, a spa in Minnetonka. But spa cuisine “can be anything that we’ve all grown up with,” he says. “It can be as simple as mom’s meat loaf, just prepared with quality ingredients.”

The secret to spa recipes is using fresh, raw ingredients that are natural. Jones relies on local farmers for organic foods and in-season produce. Spa cuisine avoids packaged and processed foods. For example, instead of adding artificial sweeteners, chefs might use applesauce or honey. Herbs such as basil and tarragon add flavor to traditional dishes.

Spa cuisine also emphasizes portion control and choice, not deprivation. “You’re feeling good about what you’re eating because you’re not compromising,” Jaqueth says.

This is especially important when eating at a restaurant. The portions are large, you don’t know the calorie count, and it’s easy to overeat. Spa chefs changed that; their portions leave you satisfied, not stuffed, Jaqueth says. The proper balance of fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein satisfies a person’s hunger.

There’s more good news: You don’t have to spend big bucks to enjoy spa cuisine; you can make these recipes at home. Spas, such as Birdwing, have their own cookbooks, which feature easy-to-follow recipes that use ingredients you can find at the local grocery store. “People need to kind of get back to the basics a little bit,” Jones says. “Cook more in your home, experiment a little, mix it up, and feel good about what you’re eating.”

Still scared of the spatula? Don’t worry. Birdwing offers cooking classes, so you can be a spa chef, too. Imagine serving chicken breasts prepared with raspberry vinegar and Chinese plum sauce, which has 247 calories per serving. Add whole-wheat couscous and green vegetables to complete the meal. That will please everyone, including strict dieters.

For a full day of spa cuisine, try these recipes from the Birdwing Spa Cookbook. After all, your palate deserves some pampering, too.

Farm Buttermilk Oat Pancakes
Birdwing Turkey Burger
Spinach Feta Pie
Chocolate Cake
Crunchy Gingered Coleslaw
Baked Corn-Stuffed Tomatoes
Mandarin Orange Salad