Comfort Foods: America's Favorite Foods, Cooked the Way You Like Them

As I look at my copy of Comfort Foods by Rita M. Harris I have to smile. The cover is a bit worn, and the edges curled. There is a small rip in the lower left bottom. Some pages are speckled with color from food that splattered and others are a bit wrinkled where I can tell moisture had once came into contact. Still? One of my favorite cookbooks to grab on a cold snowy day, a chilled rainy day, when something has upset me or I'm feeling stressed. The recipes are foods that bring me back to comfort and warmth. I've had good luck with them although of course, I do have favorites, as do my kids and my husband. Out of the hundreds of cookbooks and cooking magazines that I have, like most good cooks there are a handful that I grab first and foremost without a thought because I know I'll find 'just the right recipe' quickly and easily; it will turn out wonderfully; the recipes use foods that I have on hand; and the way it's laid out and written makes for a comfortable read. This is one of those books. My copy was published in 1997 and I got it soon after. It makes me smile to know it's been 'close at hand' for almost 10 years now, through 3 moves across the country and raising 3 children. It's one I'll be passing on to my daughter as these recipes should never be lost or go out of style.

I don't know why the Rachael Ray fans seem to be so upset. I enjoy her too. There is room for everyone! I am looking forward to trying more recipes in this book that will also become family favorites.

I absolutely LOVE this cookbook!!! So far I've made Mama Rita's Fudge which is incredibly easy and tastes great! I've also made the chewy brownies and they are so rich and I've gotten SO many compliments! I've been asked where I got the recipe and I can't decide if I want to give away the secret yet..

Comfort Foods has wonderful, uncomplicated recipes that taste great and are "familiar"--no gourmet surprises here. And that's the beauty. Very Rich Cheesecake on p.292 is fabulous and easy to make. Ambrosia Salad on p. 90 is a family favorite. If you're looking for recipes for good, common, down-to-earth food, this cook book has them.

This has got to be on of my all time favorite cook books, I've bought 4 copies! Everyone that reads it want's one. I've tried about 25 of the recipies so far and they have all been great. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves to cook.