Homestyle kitchen Fresh & timeless comfort food for sharing

Rutland (The Christmas Movie Cookbook) shares what she considers classic recipes with a focus on fresh ingredients in this wide-ranging collection. Divided by type of dish, the recipes include breakfast treats, party-ready appetizers, sides and salads, hearty main dishes and casseroles, and desserts. Popular favorites such as Parker House rolls and chicken and dumplings appear alongside midcentury offerings such as Cobb salad, wacky cake, and baked tomatoes Rockefeller, plus a smattering of unique treats, such as cookies made with benne seeds. The recipes do not include a separate listing for preparation and cooking time, but the information is listed in the step-by-step cooking instructions, as are substitutions to make the dish less spicy or vegetarian, where applicable. Most recipes include a nicely styled color photograph of the finished dish. There aren't any unusual ingredients or high-end techniques here, just straightforward home cooking with a slight emphasis on hearty Midwestern and Southern American favorites. VERDICT Reminiscent of an old-school church cookbook that features a little bit of everything, this beginner-friendly collection is best suited for home cooks looking for no-fuss, no-frills food.--Nanette Donohue

Buttermilk Crumb Cake This simple coffee cake features a double crumb, arguably the best part of any cinnamon-flavored streusel topping! The tangy flavor of buttermilk offsets the sweetness and adds moisture to the cake. Unsalted butter has a delicate flavor but isn't necessary in this recipe. Substitute salted butter, if desired. Makes 1 ( 9-inch) cake or 9 servings Ingredients Double Crumb Topping (recipe below) 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup buttermilk Powdered sugar (optional) 1. Preheat oven to 325°. Lightly grease (with butter) and flour a 9-inch baking pan or dish. Prepare Double Crumb Topping and set aside. 2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. 3. Beat 1/2 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Beat in flour mixture and buttermilk. 4. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle evenly with reserved crumb topping. 5. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool to room temperature. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired. Double Crumb Topping: Combine 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter in a bowl. Makes 2-1/2 cups. Excerpted from Homestyle Kitchen: Fresh and Timeless Comfort Food for Sharing by Julia Rutland All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.