Recipes Across America: Taste of Home    by Taste of Home Order:  USA  Can Readers Digest, 2013 (2013) Hardcover      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Taste of Home: Recipes across America, put out by Reader's Digest, is one wowser of a cookbook! It includes recipes from the five corners of the United States - Northeast, South, Midwest, Southwest and West - and is crammed with 735 dishes shared by family cooks in all fifty-one states. There are beautiful color photographs of many of the dishes along with tidbits of interest about the states themselves. Hundreds of food facts, culinary trivia, snapshots of popular landmarks, as well as food festivals grace the pages of this extraordinary cookbook. The Apple and Pear Pie on one of the introductory pages is enough to whet anyone's appetite. From Maine lobsters to blue crab from Maryland, the section on the Northeast provides recipes for Main Dishes to Sides & More to Sweets. You can surely find more than one recipe that does it for you and your family. It wouldn't hurt to start at the first one and work your way through. Being as it's summer, the Jersey-Style Hot Dogs should be a winner. From Brooklyn, New York is a suggestion for an Antipasto Sub! Never heard of that before, but would sure like to try it. Or try the famous Pat's King of Steaks Philly Cheese Steak. Now, that is a real treat. Or the New England Salmon Pie. Popular in Amish country in Pennsylvania is Special Raisin Pie. That is nectar on a fork for me. Now we head South for Bourbon Baked Ham; Deluxe Muffuletta; Cajun Catfish Sandwiches; Southern Eggs and Biscuits; Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie; New Orleans Beignets. All of these ring a bell with me. Surely there is something for you. A myriad of recipes await your perusal. Midwest: Swedish Meatballs; Herb-Roasted Turkey; Crown Roast with Plum-Apple Stuffing; Howard's Sauerbraten; Black Bean 'N Pumpkin Chili; Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing; Latkes; Mashed Potatoes with a Kick; Beer Margaritas. Southwest: Chili Rellenos Burgers; Corn Dogs; Barbecued Beef Short Ribs; Lime Chicken Tacos; Mexican Pork Stew; Mom's Tamale Pie; Arizona Chicken; Braised Pork with Tomatillos; Chili Con Queso; Fresh Lime Margaritas; Horchata; Sopes; Lime Coconut Cheesecake; Mayan Chocolate Biscotti. If your taste buds aren't screaming for relief by now, read on. They will be. I guarantee it. If that stew on the cover page for the West, (page 384) doesn't send you to the kitchen, you must be in a coma. There are recipes for Aloha Burgers; Colorado Lamb Chili; Pan Fried Venison Steak; Northwest Salmon Chowder; Vegetable Pad Thai; West African Chicken Stew (the one referred to above); Stuffed Mountain Trout; Grilled Huli Huli Chicken; Mai Tai; Viva Panzanella; even Classic Pesto (using fresh basil gives you the treat of the week); Cherry-Cream Crumble Pie; Wyoming Cowboy Cookies; Portuguese Doughnuts. Recipes Across America is truly a beautiful cookbook. The recipes are easy to read and to use. I like the variety of sidebars relating to the state the recipe is from or to the little vignettes about that state. The only thing that bothered me is that there is no indication of the nutrition for any of the recipes. No doubt, this is the cookbook of the year. If nothing appeals, I feel sorry for you. There are enough suggestions to keep you going for a long, long time. Break out your apron, pots and pans and get going. And let me know what time dinner is. A true gastronomical delight. 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