Tyler Florence once named a cookbook of his Eat This Book. Ditto for the incomparable Melissa Clark’s cookbook. Not only are the recipes varied and appealing and not too fancy so they would scare a budding cook, but Ms. Clark is a wonderful writer- engaging and funny. ( )

I absolutely LOVE the granola recipe from this book. Haven't tried too many other recipes yet.

Melissa Clark writes for the New York Times and if this makes you think she must be literate and well informed then you would be right. Memories, stories and general meanderings accompany each recipe which has the effect of making one keen to try the well written recipes with detailed, often fairly lengthy ingredients lists. I do have to admit that I'm struggling to get my head round Bacon and Pecan Pralines. Perhaps you have to have been brought up on a continent where they eat bacon with maple syrup to really understand. A tremendously good read with food to extend horizons - probably my book of the year 2010.

If you love cooking and playing around with recipes and flavors, this is the book for you. Clark's stories about her family and how they endlessly altered recipes, encouraged her to try new foods and just enjoyed life and eating are heart warming. The recipes which follow are a good match for my taste buds and the ones I have made were delicious. ( )