Cooking for Comfort    by Marian Burros Order:  USA  Can Simon & Schuster, 2003 (2003) Hardcover      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Marian Burros is the author of twelve - that's right, twelve - cookbooks. And here's her lucky thirteenth. In Cooking for Comfort, she deals with our need at this moment in time (after 9/11, the war in Iraq, terrible storms, and general unrest in the world) for personal comfort. What better way to comfort ourselves and those around us than by cooking 'comfort food'. In her previous books, Burros has advocated foods that are quick and easy but also good and nutritious. She feels that we can gain peace of mind in food preparation as well as in the pleasure of eating the end result. So kick back, settle into your kitchen and prepare old favorites that will rekindle old memories, perhaps of less rushed and harrowed times. The cookbook's cover showcases a wonderful photo of a luscious dish of macaroni and cheese - the ultimate in comfort food, if you ask me. Unless maybe mashed potatoes. Or a grilled cheese sandwich. Or how about the perfect BLT? A cheese omelet comes pretty high on the list as well as cole slaw. And who can resist Mom's Apple Pie? Or a succulent peach cobbler? I'm a real sucker for a raisin oatmeal cookie. Bliss. Marinara Sauce for pasta is my idea of nirvana. Chicken cacciatore was always one of my favorites but I don't have Mother's recipe. Now I can re-create it with the author's wonderful recipe. And what could beat the smell of roast chicken for Sunday dinner? Desserts. Nothing in my estimation tops rice pudding. Could eat my way out of a vat of that great stuff. Then bring on the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Finish off with a lovely meringue pie. And maybe just one or two chocolate chip cookies. Treat yourself to a copy of Cooking for Comfort. Just reading the recipes will slow down your mind. Imagine how good it will feel to start cooking. And then, the proof of the pudding, eating and sharing your dishes. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews