The Cornbread Book: A Love Story with Recipes

I've had this book since it was published in 2003, and at this point, my copy is lightly dusted with cornmeal from near-constant use. Sure, Jackson's prose is laugh-out-loud, read-it-to-the-nearest-person funny, but this book is a keeper because the recipes are terrific. By now I've surely memorized the recipe for Sweet Cornbread, but I still like to take out this sunny little yellow book and prop it open while I bake.

Mr. Jackson's book is not only informative but the recipes are the best I've ever found. There's nothing like a "from scratch" recipe for full flavor and these cornbread recipes have proven to be great for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. This is definitely a book for all of us cornbread lovers.

What a fresh voice to discover in the cookbook aisle--I was so charmed that I paid full-price! (And the recipes are fabulous, too.) As someone who once longed for an MFA of her own but is now in culinary school studying pastry arts, I couldn't possibly be more appreciative of Mr. Jackson's talents--unless he were to provide color commentary all day long while I baked. I will without doubt be purchasing his other efforts, both literary & culinary.

I confess to not having tried a single recipe yet, but this book gets five stars from me just for the read. Jeremy Jackson is the next Edouard de Pomiane - very, very funny, surprising, smart, literate, and enthusiastic. Even if you hate cornbread (one word, note), you must have it. Buy it, read it, laugh out loud, and preheat your oven to 350F, because you, like me, will be dying to pup a butter-slathered hunk of cornbread down the hatch before you get half-way through.

This is the kind of cookbook that is as entertaining as it is useful. I've already used three of the recipes (my kids are big fans of cornbread in all its various forms), and all were winners. Gem & Pearl muffins are a decadent breakfast treat, and the two types of cornbread we made were a big hit: suffice to say that there were no leftovers. Next time we'll have to make double batches. Jackson is very funny and charming, and his deep appreciation for his subject comes through on every page. I think we'll be breaking this book out on a regular basis!