Member Reviews

Comfort Food Essentials is a cookbook full of comfort food recipes, from classic staples to more unique ones.

Was this review helpful?

Comfort Food Essentials by Kim Wilcox is a delightful treasure trove for anyone who loves cozy, hearty meals that bring warmth and nostalgia to the table. With over 100 recipes covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, sides, breads, desserts, toppings, and condiments, Wilcox has created a versatile and inviting cookbook that truly lives up to its name. Whether you're craving classic chicken noodle soup, indulgent mac and cheese, or savory meatloaf, this book has something for everyone.

One of the standout features of Comfort Food Essentials is how adaptable the recipes are. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters, dealing with food allergies, or simply want to substitute ingredients to suit your tastes, Wilcox’s recipes can be easily tweaked without losing their comforting charm. The cookbook provides enough flexibility for seasoned home cooks to experiment, while still being accessible to beginners.

Wilcox’s experience as the owner of It’s All So Yummy in Knoxville, Tennessee, shines through in the thoughtful way she approaches each recipe. It’s clear that she understands the importance of family-style meals that can be enjoyed by all, and her passion for comfort food is infectious.
Whether you’re looking to whip up a classic pizza or try something new from her selection of condiments and toppings, Comfort Food Essentials is a go-to resource for anyone seeking heartwarming meals. It’s not just a cookbook—it’s an invitation to slow down, gather with loved ones, and savor the simple pleasures of good food. Highly recommended!

Was this review helpful?

This cookbook had a lot of recipes I can't wait to try!! I like that they were nice & simple so not put off by lots of ingredients!!

Was this review helpful?

Such a wonderful and helpful collection of recipes! I highly recommend this book for anyone trying to cook at home.

Was this review helpful?

Comfort Food Essentials brings readers popular and well-loved recipes. Recipes are easy to follow with a clear ingredient sections and instructions. The serving size is clearly labeled. I wish the recipes included an average time to help with planning ahead.

Was this review helpful?

There are some delicious recipes in this book. I look forward to trying all of them as soon as possible for my family.

Was this review helpful?

A great book for a cook who only wants one cookbook with all their favorite, classic recipes. So many traditional food items included!

Was this review helpful?

This cookbook seems to want to be a cookery magazine. It starts with a spread of things we might need, like a chalk board (?!), and after a page of tips shows its metier with a spread of baiting images and the "find on page…" directions of a magazine's wasteful preamble. And the layouts of the dishes seem to be that eye-grabbing, instant-gratification, dashing kind of style too. The creamy chicken noodle soup has the page in almost equal quarters of image, ingredient list, actual recipe, and notes as regards prepping and the contributor's brand choice. Before then we've had a few baked options and breakfasts, that only prove this has been aimed to eliminate any single ingredient or course anyone could take objection to. This is not insert high-end USA brand here, this is not centuries-old mom and pop stuff, this is pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap cooking, the Walmart-feels-posh cuisine.

Elsewhere, "there is simply no end" to what you can put in a sandwich – well, there clearly is, as you only let us have seven choices. And two of those are salads. Mac 'n' cheese becomes "pizza mac and cheese" when it gets pepperoni added.

Now before I get dissed for being so dismissive of this, I do well know there is a place for this. I don't care that it features zero nutritional data, and nothing in the way of proof to the author's pedigree until the very end. It's a welcome relief not to get yet another shakshuka recipe, fer cryin' out loud, and the lack of endives, escargots and edamame on these pages is not a problem. I'm not ornery about how ordinary this looks, but this is your bang average cookery, creating pleasant but bang average dishes. And, to coin an American phrase, that lasagne is hella burnt. A generous three stars.

Was this review helpful?

Comfort Food Essentials is a very well done cookbook. Comfort food is always welcome in my house. Clear recipe instructions with easy to find ingredients with recipes most families will enjoy. In also appreciated that every recipe has an accompanying photo included.

I for one can’t wait to try her recipe for Sunday Pot Roast, cube steaks with mushroom gravy, and pan seared hot honey balsamic chicken thighs.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the e-arc I received in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I didn't love this one but I also didn't hate this one. However I'm not sure how I feel about this one.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Fox Chapel Publishing, NetGalley, and Kim Wilcox for the opportunity to look over this great cookbook. Comfort Food Essentials has all kinds of yummy recipes that make you feel good whenever you need it most. It is hard to actually just pick one recipe that I love more than another. This is a wonderful cookbook to give as a gift for graduation, birthdays, weddings and any other holiday. There are great recipes for everyone in this book.

Was this review helpful?

So many good food options...especially if you are looking for some southern recipes. I can't wait to make several of these recipes--mac and cheese soup, butterscotch pumpkin pie, or country cornbread.

Was this review helpful?

This cookbook is a culinary treasure! The recipes are not only easy to follow but also yield delicious results. The diverse range of dishes caters to various tastes, making it a go-to guide for both novice and experienced cooks. The vibrant photos add an extra layer of inspiration, making this cookbook a delightful addition to any kitchen.

Was this review helpful?

Comfort Food Essentials is the perfect title for this cookbook. There are so many delicious-looking foods and items I remember from my childhood. I can't wait to work through this book because 90% of the recipes are items I would enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley.

Was this review helpful?

A really terrific cookbook of comfort food recipes. Many standard comfort foods are included, quite a few with interesting twists, and several new and exciting recipes as well. The photos are wonderful and the descriptions and instructions are well written and easy to follow. This cookbook will have your tummy grumbling until you get into the kitchen to make a few of the recipes!

Was this review helpful?

Nicely illustrated cookbook
This cookbook is full of delicious sounding recipes and clear instructions. I enjoyed trying out a few and as they were a hit, I would recommend.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc to peruse gratis and offer my opinion in the same

Was this review helpful?

What an incredibly beautiful book! This book is filled with vivid, colorfilled pictures of each recipe and it truly added to the book. The recipes are simple and easy to follow for all levels of cooking. Each one is a recipe that you can picture yourself eating on a cozy night wrapped up in a blanket and being with the ones you love. There is always more room for comfort food!

Was this review helpful?

This is a really great cookbook! The top three recipes I'm really excited to try are the Chili Beans and Rice Recipe, Scalloped Potatoes and Ham and Grandma's Chocolate Cream Pie. The photos are great and the recipes seem easy to follow. Special Thank You to Kim Wilcox, Fox Chapel Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This cook book is so fantastic!!!
Its got so many classic recipes and so many new ones that i am way excited to try!
The layout is wonderful, and the pictures are mouthwatering,

thank you Netgalley and Publishers for sharing a copy with me!

Was this review helpful?

With gorgeous color photos and a variety of easy-to-follow recipes, Comfort Food Essentials provides recipes for everything from drinks to entrees and desserts. I like that the author had recipes from other food professionals; it gave different viewpoints. The only thing I will say is that you can't call it "Country Cornbread" if you don't cook in in cast iron. lol

Was this review helpful?