If you recognize Jane Green’s name, it’s probably as the author of novels such as Falling and Summer Secrets. Now, the busy wife and mother of five children turns her hand to a cookbook, Good Taste: Simple, Delicious Recipes for Family and Friends. Accompanied by beautiful photographs by Tom McGovern, it’s a luscious treat for cooks and for those (like me) who appreciate an entertaining cookbook.

I’m not a cook, but I enjoy the stories that accompany recipes. Green compiled a collection that has “a strong leaning toward my childhood in England and is both delicious and easy. It makes you feel nurtured, comforted and loved.” That’s the aim of the book. With Green’s large collection of soups and comfort food, she does attempt to make everyone feel nurtured. The book is broken into three sections, “Beginnings” with starters and soups (lots of soups), “Middles” with main courses that are easy to prepare, and “Endings”, the desserts. And, admitting she follows fads, she includes gluten-free desserts, and a decadent sounding Salted Chocolate Mousse.

As I said, I’m not a cook. The lists of ingredients for some of Green’s recipes look formidable until you realize they are usually basic ingredients. And, that Salted Chocolate Mousse? Four ingredients at the most.

The photos are lovely, and the food is enticing in Good Taste. As I said, I read cookbooks for the accompanying background stories. And, I’m always searching for the perfect gift. I know just who should get Jane Green’s Good Taste for Christmas.

Jane Green’s website is www.janegreen.com

Good Taste: Simple, Delicious Recipes for Family and Friends by Jane Green. New American Library. 2016. ISBN 9780399583377 (hardcover), 180p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of the book, hoping I would review it.