Southern plate : classic comfort food that makes everyone feel like family

Review

Ninth-generation Alabamian Christy Jordan's collection of classic comfort food is filled with recipes requiring only ordinary ingredients and is suitable for new cooks or those who don't want to rush out and buy truffle oil or an exotic spice.  Lots of pictures, and a family anecdote accompanies most of the recipes, which are arranged by season.  Busy people will appreciate occasional shortcuts with some of the ingredients, such as using cream of chicken soup in the Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole or instant pistachio pudding for the Watergate Salad.  Check out Christy's fun blog, with postings on subjects such as the uses of bacon grease and how to make garlic mozzarella mashed potatoes.