More Pats & Pans on Comfort Food from BDL patrons

Do you recommend the book Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs?

Yes.  Eric says "A delightful read regarding a TV food hostess who faces getting older and feeling threatened by a young bimbo hired to co-host."

No.  Marilyn says "Score 2 out of 5 stars.  Almost stopped reading this 'chick' book of little substance.  It's a book guys would not read.  Felt it was written for the purpose of going to movie format."

Neither Yes nor No.  Mary says "It is a very current book in regards to so many TV shows on food.  I enjoyed getting the book from the library rather than buying it, because I doubt I would ever refer to the book again.  I found it a 'light' read."

Yes.  Pat says "Good book but I preferred [Kate Jacob's] Friday Night Knitting Club more."

Yes.  Suzanne says "I loved Comfort Food.  It made me look up my mother's old recipes."

Brighton Library Patron Comments on Comfort Food book

Amy says thumbs up. "It's a delightful story about a woman whose life is changing. Somewhat predictable, but an easy, light, fun read."

Cassandra says thumbs up. "Gus is a quirky chef you can't help but love."

Cynthia says thumbs up. "I really enjoyed this book, it reminds me of myself."

Elaine says thumbs up. "Loved the book. Kate Jacobs is one of my favorite authors. I found this a delightful read."

Dori (from Howell) says thumbs up. "It was a delightful book. I love to cook & bake, so it inspired me to go online and find a recipe for lemon blueberry muffins to serve my book club."

How to Make Pain au Chocolat (A Photo Essay)

If you're a sucker for the chocolate pastry that Panera Bread sells, take a look at the 4/9/10 entry in
My Morning Chocolate
The photos make me salivate with anticipation!

Wait Forever Pork Chops

These are so easy, and the longer you hold 'em, the better they taste!

10 minute prep

Serves 4-6

4-6 pork loin chops
1 cup applesauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cloves

Brown chops with a bit of salt and pepper.
Into a baking dish, put the chops, then mix the rest of the ingredients and pour 'em on the chops.
Bake at 300 degrees F. for 1 hour or more.
Hold in warm oven until ready to serve.

The Best Creamy Tomato Bisque with Grilled Cheese Croutons

We have my friend and cook extraordinaire Renee Chodkowski to thank for this fabulous recipe!  Renee has been teaching cooking classes through both Brighton and Howell Community Education for 22 years.  Last week, she came to the Cromaine District Library in Hartland, MI and put on a wonderful Comfort Foods program for Livingston Reads!  She prepared and served not one or two recipes, but five recipes; inspired by the book Comfort Food by author Kate Jacobs.   I personally can vouch for how wonderful this soup is as I made it over last weekend, and my husband and I ate it all up!  Yum!

Creamy Tomato Bisque

4 c. chicken or vegetable broth

2 cans condensed tomato soup

15 oz. can Italian diced tomatoes, undrained

15 oz. can petite diced tomatoes, undrained

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

l c. half and half or milk

dried or fresh basil for garnish

In medium stockpot, bring broth to a boil.  Reduce heat and add cream cheese and tomato soup, stirring constantly until cream cheese is melted and blended.  (There will be some lumps...) Add tomatoes and half and half, stir and heat through before serving.  Garnish with Grilled Cheese Croutons.

Grilled Cheese Croutons

Preheat oven to 350.  Prepared 4 grilled cheese sandwiches using your favorite bread and cheese.  Let sandwiches cool completely before cutting.  Cut into small squares using pizza cutter or sharp knife.  Spread out on baking sheet and grate a little Parmesan, Romano or Asiago cheese over croutons.  Bake 10 minutes or until croutons are brown and crispy.  Store leftovers in sealed container in refrigerator.

Enjoy!

Check out more of Renee Chodkowski's recipes at her website, www.greatfoodini.com!

Welcome to Foodifull! The Comfort Food Blog!

Welcome to Foodifull!  This Comfort Food Blog is meant to be a place where food lovers everywhere can discuss Comfort Food, a delightful book by Kate Jacobs. Comfort Food was selected as the Livingston Reads! book for 2010.

Livingston Reads! is a consortium of the six Livingston County, Michigan libraries that has done a very popular One Book, One Community program for the last six years.

As well as a book discussion, we hope that this blog will also provide a forum for sharing, not just literature, but also reader's favorite comfort food recipes to warm not only our tummies, but our spirits!