Gooseberry Patch,

Oxmoor House, $27.95, 420 pages

A quarter century of love and old-fashioned home cooking fills the hefty Gooseberry Patch Keepsake Cookbook: Treasured Heirloom Recipes from Our Family to Yours. From delicious apple and brie toasts to tasty fiesta beef fajitas, you’ll find amazing munchies, beverages, and quick and easy recipes that will have family and friends asking for another helping. Appetizing soups, salads and sandwiches will fill you up, but after taking a look at the scrumptious dessert recipes, I imagine you’ll find a way to save a smidgeon of room for a bite. However, if you’re looking for low-cal recipes, this isn’t the recipe book for you, although, many of the recipes could be adapted to a lower calorie version.

What’s impressive about this tome of recipes, besides the variety, is the exceptional photography. Nearly every recipe features a full-color photo, making this book a total package that every kitchen needs and deserves. It feels like a trusted friend you’d invite to your kitchen, share a cup of coffee, and reminisce about the bond between food and family. Extra recipe card pages at the back of the book allow readers to share their favorites with friends and family or add new-found culinary delights to an already-stuffed book. I’m excited to share this cookbook with my daughter.

Reviewed by LuAnn Schindler