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The Comfort Table
by Katie Lee Joel
Simon Spotlight Entertainment
ISBN 1-4169-4835-X
Published April 2008 - Hardcover - 242 pages - $25.00

I first saw and heard about Katie Lee Joel and her book on The Oprah Show.  Her husband Billy Joel was also a guest, and he just happens to be one of my all-time favorite singer/songwriters of all time, if not the favorite.  His words and music have got me through some really trying (and happy) times.  So, it was a natural progression to check out his wife's cookbook.  Miss Katie grew up in West Virginia and offers us quite a few "southern" dishes - not that I'm all that clued up about Southern fare I have to admit.  In her book she covers Starters; Salads; Soups; Entrees; Side Dishes; Breads; Breakfasts; Desserts, and Drinks.  She also gives Tips for Entertaining.  Having grown up eating off the land, Katie firmly believes in eating local and seasonal foods.  Some of her mouthwatering dishes include: Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip; Flat Pies; Chopped Salad; Chilled Cucumber Soup; Tarragon-Citrus Mahi-Mahi; Spinach and Bacon Timbales; Buttermilk Pancakes with Caramelized Bananas (yum yum), and Peach Fuzz.  Not really Southern-sounding I have to conclude, but nevertheless they sound delicious.  Miss Katie also writes for Hampton Magazine, Gotham, and The Huffington Post.  Throughout the book there are photos (rather like a little portfolio) of Katie shopping, cooking, walking down the street, having coffee, a drink, with her family, etc.
Beautifully illustrated.  No nutritional guides.
Conclusion - Uncomplicated recipes using healthy ingredients and all recipes are very do-able.