Comfort and Joy: Cooking for Two

I feel like I've been waiting forever for this cookbook to come out. I've been following Christina on her blog for years and love her recipes. They're easy to make and simple to follow. When her first book, Dessert for Two, came out, I was amazed at all the small batch desserts she created. After all, as much as I love desserts, there's only so much I can eat. So I was super excited when I saw this book: Comfort and Joy. Comfort and Joy is filled with every day recipes inspired by Southern comfort foods. These recipes are made for one to two people, but they can easily be adjusted to feed more people. Which I absolutely love. Because I really rather make half a dozen cookies and not four. I love Christina's approach to this book. You can hear her voice in her writing, inviting you to try her recipes. It's as if a friend is talking you through the steps to create every day comfort foods in your own little kitchen. You can find all sorts of recipes from breakfast to dinner and even more small batch desserts.The recipes are amazing and simple, the photos are gorgeous. Where else would you find recipes for eggs baked in baguette, sweet tea fried chicken, or bacon parmesan biscuits! And these are only some of the recipes that she shares with us in her latest book. I recommend this cookbook to anyone who wants to make small batches of food. As much as I love desserts and comfort food as the next person, sometimes, I think I prefer small portions of it so that I won't have to eat the same food for days. Because if I make less of one dish, I can try more of other dishes. No? Just me? Seriously, give this book a try, especially if you're a fan of Southern comfort foods. =)

This is a fabulous book! I'm an empty nester and was looking for more recipes "for two." I have enjoyed Christina's blog for a long time and thought I would try her savory recipes since I already loved her desserts. I really appreciate how thorough her recipes are, and I completely trust her spice levels. Her enthusiasm for cooking is quite winning. I have made more than a few dishes from the book and they have all been delicious. I made the 15-Minute Puff Pastry about a month ago and haven't stopped making it since. I have gone quite puff pastry crazy! I used her recipes as a springboard to trying it in all sorts of other ways. I'm telling you, it is magical. My husband is totally spoiled with his puff pastry treats. In fact, we haven't had a bad recipe from the book yet. Anybody cooking for two, at whatever stage of life, would benefit from this book. Highly recommended!

Wow, color me impressed. I've read this like a novel, and am so in love with these recipes. From the best cinnamon rolls I have ever tasted, to biscuits for the most delish b&g, to DIY tea blends (I am loving so so much), to Spicy Asian Salmon. I am learning to cook via her books, and I'm having a hell of a lot of fun doing it! Christina you are a master of your craft, and anyone (including my somewhat helpless self in the kitchen) can learn from you. Your writing style is warm, fun, and I feel like we're going on a foodie adventure together. I'm so happy when I re-create a recipe of yours and sit down and get to really enjoy the fruits of my labor. Thank you for creating this amazing works of art and then developing these amazing cookbooks to share with us. You're amazing, and this book is the best gift. Each meal I feel more proud, confident in my own skillset, and hungry for the next recipe. Cheers!

My cookbook club recently "read" and cooked recipes from Christina Lane's cookbooks. Many of us have small households and often find that other cookbook recipes for 6-8 servings too large. I chose Comfort and Joy as the cookbook I would try out. I ended up buying the book. Pros - the recipes do make 2 or 3 servings, most of the recipes are easy to follow and use everyday ingredients. Cons - A few recipes needed better editing. Another book club member tried the Warm Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Sauce and it didn't cook up well, there is no baking soda or baking powder in the ingredients and the cakes never rose. The pages of the book do not lay flat when opened to a recipe. This is a pet peeve of mine that can be solved by the binding of the book. Note that Ina Garten's and Dorie Greenspan's cookbooks all lay flat when opened to a recipe. My favorite recipes from the book - Green Chicken Chili (delicious and so easy), Rise and Shine Blueberry Muffins (fantastic and only make 6), Apricot-Pecan Chicken Salad, and A Small Batch of Corn Muffins. I'd recommend this book.

Needed help in planning meals properly just for my wife and myself. This currently hits the spot.

I was looking for a cookbook with smaller portions as there are two for us. I've tried several recipes and enjoyed them. While visiting, my daughter noticed the book on the coffee table. I let her borrow and they have also enjoyed using this cookbook as well. Will be looking at others by this author.

The description say it is a continuation with more recipes after the Desserts for Two book. It is not. Beware. This is the exactly same book as Desserts for Two; Small batch cookies, brownies, pies and cakes. They are exactly the same so don't buy both. That said, this is exactly the book I have been looking for. Recipes for just two people. The previous books I've bought have had me make enough for 8 but put them in individual cups or whatever for single servings. Not what I want. I want a small recipe. This is perfect. I can make for two, eat one and save the other for later. That I can handle. Eating a meal 8 days in a row, not so much. However, since I already bought Dessert for Two I don't need two identical books. So choose one or the other but don't buy both. They are exactly the same except for the cover. The Dessert book has meals and the meals book has desserts. They both have brunch, lunch and comfort foods.

Beautiful pictures and nice recipes.. can't wait to start making some delicious meals

Good cookbook for making smaller recipes for two people.

Since our children flew the coop many many years ago i still tended to cook for way too many. As a result the pounds went on this book is great to put me on the right track to adjust my cooking quantity.

As Expected.

Not that great. Recipes aren't that inspiring. Pictures are minimal. Wouldn't waste my money. I'll probably be sending it back.