THERES ALWAYS ROOM AT THE TABLE Farmhouse recipes from my family to yours

For those who grew up in the Midwest or with Midwestern parents or grandparents, this cookbook from blogger Wyse will likely be familiar and nostalgic. There is a definite vintage feel to the recipes, such as the ones for brown-butter frosting and bierocks, but also nods to modernity with a salmon frittata and the inclusion of both ground beef and ground pork in meatloaf. Wyse has taken the time to slightly tweak some recipes in a healthy manner. The cake recipes make one layer, the salads are green (no gelatin here), and many other entries include whole grains, lower-fat meats, garden-fresh ingredients, and dressings made from scratch (no mixes to be found). Kratzer's photography is luscious and showcases Wyse's beautiful family farm. The introduction, family biographies, and recipe commentary add a great deal to the work. While none of the recipes are labeled as gluten- or dairy-free, readers can easily tell when a recipe falls into one of those categories. Wyse does present some canning recipes; refrigerator pickle-type canning that's not intimidating. This is comfort food for readers with Midwestern connections. The work ends with a universal conversion chart and an index. VERDICT A delightful addition for Midwestern libraries.--Sarah Sieg