Bless This Food: Four Seasons of Menus, Recipes and Table Graces

I have *A LOT* of cookbooks and there is definitely a space on my shelf for this one. The food is off the charts good. It's special occasion food, and probably not for a beginner cook just starting out as many of the recipes take some time to prepare. If you want to your guests to rave about your cooking, check this cookbook out! My favorite recipe is the Herb Cheesecake appetizer- a real hit.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (7/06) Julia Pitkin, Karen Grant and George Grant, combined their talents to create this one of a kind cookbook. There are four divisions in this book, one representing each season. Each season is divided into special occasions; each occasion has appropriate table graces and menus, with recipes for each menu. It is the best of many cultures and their many holidays the authors remind us of what the term "fine dining" truly means. Currently I'm assisting my future daughter-in-law in planning her wedding reception. This book has been extremely helpful. The Cucumber Mint Butter Sandwiches will definitely be on the menu, as will several other recipes. Several of the recipes took me down memory lane. The Old Fashioned Lemonade reminded me of summers at my grandmother's. She'd gather the whole family together for a reunion. There would always be homemade banana ice cream and lemonade made with real lemons. The Roast Chicken with rosemary, thyme, oregano and other spices brought back the memories of dinners with a favorite aunt. I can still recall the smell of roasting chicken greeting me when entering her home. We live in a hurry up world, where we look for the fastest way of completing everything and anything. Rarely do we realize that we've lost much. We no longer have the taste of real lemons; instead we open a can, measure out powder and add water. Rarely do we take time to make our own bread, it's easier to open a can or a bag. But the feel of kneading bread relieves stress and homemade bread always tastes better. The menus and recipes in this book are good. But this book is so much more. This book is about elegant dining. I picture white table linens and silver candleholders. I picture families sitting down together to enjoy the meal. I send many thanks to the authors for creating this great book.