Recipes and techniques for wholesome home cooking. The Essentials of Healthful Cooking is a beautifully photographed and designed cookbook with over 130 appealing recipes from elegant appetizers for entertaining to everyday dinners, sandwiches, side dishes, and desserts. Useful and detailed introductory information on the Basics of Healthful Cooking. Recipes by Marie Simmons and Dana Jacobi and text by Mary Abbott Hess.