The Comfort Table [Hardcover]

Katie Lee (Author), Miki Duisterhof (Photographer), Paula Deen (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008

Nothing is more comforting than a home-cooked meal. And the best home cooking starts with fresh ingredients found close to home with foods that are local, seasonal, and organic. Raised in her grandmother's Southern kitchen, Katie Lee Joel comes from a "family of great cooks and big eaters." And she knows exactly what appeals to the home cook: recipes that are delicious, easy to follow, quick to prepare, and made with readily available seasonal ingredients.

In The Comfort Table, Katie dips into her archive of family recipes and updates all the classics from her childhood growing up in West Virginia, and also creates some inventive new favorites. This mouthwatering assortment of more than 125 recipes includes Southern staples like Fried Green Tomatoes, Chicken and Dumplings, Peach Cobbler, Meatloaf, and the quintessential Pulled Pork BBQ, which stand alongside contemporary classics like Roasted Carrot and Ginger Soup, Citrus-Tarragon Mahi-Mahi, and Dijon and Pistachio-Crusted Rack of Lamb.

But The Comfort Table is about more than just good old-fashioned home cooking. It's about sharing delicious, healthful meals -- made with love -- for friends and family. Katie's rich assortment of recipes for starters, salads, soups, entrees, side dishes, breads, breakfast, desserts, and drinks, is accompanied by entertaining tips and anecdotes to delight the modern foodie. The Comfort Table is a comprehensive, unpretentious, refreshingly accessible guide to creating unforgettable meals for occasions big and small.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Katie and I met a couple of years ago and became fast friends. We have so much in common, particularly our love of food. Like me, Katie's family had a huge influence on developing her awareness of food and its role at the family table. The Comfort Table is a perfect example of how the table becomes this gathering place where ideas, laughter, memories and love are shared and brought together by fantastic dishes like the ones you'll find in this book. I LOVE Katie's savory Flat Pies and her Strawberry Shortcake is nostalgic with every bite. I couldn't be more pleased to champion The Comfort Table. -- Giada de Laurentiis

"Katie Lee Joel, the sweetest Southern belle of cooking, fills your table with easy-to-do comfort foods. First up for meÉbuttermilk coleslaw for my next BBQ." -- Bobby Flay

"Is there a bigger 'foodie' than Katie Lee Joel? I doubt it! The Comfort Table allows all of us to truly understand and realize Katie's appreciation (and hunger) for all things edibleÉ.especially the cherished recipes handed down to her from family. Katie's warmth and generous spirit comes shining thru in this beautiful book; the dishes are easy to replicate and so delicious, you'll soon be taking credit for them as your own. -- Michael Schlow

"I have had more home cooked meals around Katie's table than anywhere else in recent years...and each evening, whether two friends or ten, is filled with warmth, laughter, and of course, incredible food. Southern comfort in the heart of the city...don't turn down an invitation if you ever have the chance." -- Nate Berkus

Review

"Katie and I met a couple of years ago and became fast friends. We have so much in common, particularly our love of food. Like me, Katie's family had a huge influence on developing her awareness of food and its role at the family table. The Comfort Table is a perfect example of how the table becomes this gathering place where ideas, laughter, memories and love are shared and brought together by fantastic dishes like the ones you'll find in this book. I LOVE Katie's savory Flat Pies and her Strawberry Shortcake is nostalgic with every bite. I couldn't be more pleased to champion The Comfort Table.-- Giada de Laurentiis

"Katie Lee Joel, the sweetest Southern belle of cooking, fills your table with easy-to-do comfort foods. First up for me - buttermilk coleslaw for my next BBQ."-- Bobby Flay

"Is there a bigger 'foodie' than Katie Lee Joel? I doubt it! The Comfort Table allows all of us to truly understand and realize Katie's appreciation (and hunger) for all things edible - .especially the cherished recipes handed down to her from family. Katie's warmth and generous spirit comes shining thru in this beautiful book; the dishes are easy to replicate and so delicious, you'll soon be taking credit for them as your own.-- Michael Schlow

"I have had more home cooked meals around Katie's table than anywhere else in recent years...and each evening, whether two friends or ten, is filled with warmth, laughter, and of course, incredible food. Southern comfort in the heart of the city...don't turn down an invitation if you ever have the chance."-- Nate Berkus --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Gallery Books; Stated 1st Edition edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141694835X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416948353
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Didn't want to like it...but I did, March 26, 2009

By 

rubytonic - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Comfort Table (Hardcover)

I honestly tried hard to dislike this book. It had all the usual red flags for me: overly glamourous, perky, pseudo-celebrity fawning for the camera - more sex than substance. However, once I got past the pre-requisite Giada DeLaurentis comparison, I was pleasantly surprised to find some real recipes in this book.

Before I go further, I do want to categorize the cookbook as **not** for experienced chefs. The recipes are quite basic. That being the case, however, it was the perfect cookbook for me: simple, straight-forward food that I don't have to buy a lot of specialty items to make. I also like that there are photos for each recipe. What is it with other cookbooks these days and the no picture thing? Yes, there are a few too many snaps of "Katie buying cheese" and "Katie putting on her kitten heels". But the target audience for this cookbook is **not** a harried mother of 3, or someone with a lot of expensive culinary gadgets who needs a special recipe for the visiting Premier. I like the recipes because they are the kind of thing I would make when the family comes to visit: casseroles, stew, mixed drinks. And the kinds of foods that I eat several times a week: homemade soup, salads. Nothing in here that's hard, but it's not like just putting any old thing on the table either.

The book's description clearly indicates the simplicity, purpose, and outline of the cookbook. The only thing I disagree with is that the cover also states that it is "unpretentious". Sorry, Katie. Showing us a peak at your oh-so-glam bath with its marble decor is pretentious. But I like your cookbook.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite cookbooks for everyday food, September 20, 2008

By 

Virginia L. Johnson (WV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Comfort Table (Hardcover)

I have to snicker at all the foodies who trashed this cookbook. Yes, the food is basic, so if you want gourmet keep on looking. I have many cookbooks by world-renowned chefs, however, I keep grabbing this one to use several times a week. Someone mentioned in their review that Katie is like a younger Ina Garten. I would agree, that opinion is probably influenced by the photography in the book. It is almost identical to the photos in Ina's cookbooks. There are many must have recipes in the book. My family's favorites are the refrigerator rolls. They are heaven; sweet, fluffy, melt in your mouth, I could go on and on. The chili recipe is a keeper. The spaghetti is definately a WV recipe (WV resident too), very yummy. Apricot braised pork chops are a quick weeknight meal that my family enjoys. I could go on and on. Bottom line is that I haven't tried anything I wouldn't make again. Give this one a try if you are looking for some truly comforting, easy recipes.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Wanted to like it, but didn't, June 20, 2009

By 

t "t" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Comfort Table (Hardcover)

I was excited about this book, but found it to be a bit of a disappointment. While the recipes are simple (a plus), they're also not very interesting--there are a lot for things that one doesn't really need a recipe for (such as plain sweetened ice tea). I thought I was prepared for the fact that there would be lots of photos of the author, but I found them more annoying than I'd expected, mostly because so many had nothing to do with the food (e.g., the many superfluous pictures of the author putting her shoes on, walking down the street, modeling various dresses, etc.). I also found her commentary on the recipes kind of vapid as it didn't really provide a lot of insight about the recipes, but mostly consisted of self-congratulation. (In this respect, I found it very different from other books like Giada Dilaurentis's, which are also attractive but are focused on the food.)