Heartland - The Cookbook by Judith Fertig

Book Title: Heartland - The Cookbook

Author: Judith Fertig
Genre: Cooking, American
ISBN: 978-1-4494-0057-6
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Suggested Retail Price: $35.00

From the book:

Heartland pays tribute to both the land and the people who call it home.  Alongside its recipe collection, the book offers humorous stories, historical facts, sidebars about local food purveyors, and memorable quotes that forge connections between readers and Midwestern natives.  Beautiful color photographs of food, animals and landscapes bring America's heartland to life.
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Heartland is more than a cookbook, it's a journey through the midwest. It's a trip through not only the foods most common in the midwest but a look at the history and traditions of American farm life in that area.  It's a look at heritage breeds, heirloom ingredients and seasonal and local favorites.  The one thing constant throughout the cookbook is an amazing selection of photographs of not only the foods but the animals, people and landscape found in the midwest.

The book starts off with a truly amazing introduction that discusses the history and geography of the midwest as well as the foods most commonly found in the region. From heritage turkey breeds to foraged foods and leftovers, you'll get a sense of what the midwestern kitchen is like.  Chapter one gives you a sneak peak into the Heartland pantry and offers recipes like Farmhouse Butter and Farmhouse Egg Pasta. These are the basics from canning to making syrups. The second chapter introduces you to breakfasts and brunch including Double Smoked Bacon, Farmhouse Breakfast Sausage, and Baked Eggs with Prosciutto and Asiago Cream. Chapter 3 is all about the breadbasket and includes a wide variety of breads to tempt you from Dried Cherry Scones to Golden Onion Sour Rye Rolls.

Chapter 4 introduces you to appetizers and drinks where you'll read about Homemade Chips with Chargrilled Onion and Blue Cheese Dip as well as Popcorn with Smoked Gouda.  Chapter 5 is one of my favorites and features salads and soups.  The photographs in this chapter will have you seriously yearning for spring to start your garden.  A few of my favorite recipes are Loaded Baked Potato Salad and Smoke Roasted Tomato Soup.  Chapter six includes main dish recipes using fish, cheese, pork, beef, lamb, chicken, duck, pheasant, wild meats, and even a few vegetarian options.  Chapter 7 is all about desserts from Fresh Pumpkin Pie and Ohio Lemon Tart to Sunflower Cookie Brittle and Praise and Plenty Cupcakes.

This is truly a cookbook you'll want to read cover to cover for the enjoyment of learning about the midwest and an opportunity to visit the area through the stunning photographs. Almost every recipe includes a photograph of either the finished product, the ingredients or something typically found in the area like stunning wheat fields, farmhouses or farm stands.   The recipes are very well written with easy to follow instructions and detailed ingredient's lists.  There is something for everyone in this cookbook from simple recipes to more complex.  Recipes include old favorites as well as new tastes.  I highly recommend you add this one to your cookbook shelf.

My thanks to the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.