Come Home To Supper {A Review and Giveaway}

Three years of blogging has given me so many gifts. It has opened up entire foodie world I never even knew existed before that first post. But most of all, it has given me the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful people, both fans and fellow bloggers, that make my world better every single day. And one of those people, who is at the top of the list, is Christy Jordan, from Southern Plate.

Christy, or "CJ" as her friends call her, is by far one of the most generous, kind-hearted, God loving, funny, people I've ever had the pleasure to know. (And when I say "know" I mean through blogging and Facebook. I've never had the pleasure of meeting her in person.) Finding her positive attitude every day in my Facebook newsfeed is sometimes the only thing that makes me smile first thing in the morning. She is always there to lift us fellow bloggers up with an encouraging word, funny story or simple, but so right, advice. Basically, CJ is who I want to be when I grow up.

And now she had a brand new cookbook, Come Home To Supper; 200 Casseroles, Skillets, and Sides (Desserts, too!) to feed your family with love! That pretty much says it all!

Each page is more delicious looking than the last. I love cookbooks, but I really love the ones I can read like a novel; and this is certainly that. Sure the recipes are fantastic, but my favorite parts are the glimpses into Christy's life. The stories, the tidbits of insight, the tips, the things that make you feel like she is in the kitchen enjoying a glass of sweet tea while you cook.

There are too many recipes I am dying to try to list here, bu the VERY first that is going to debut in my kitchen will be:

Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole 

Makes 6 generous servings

My mother was a stay-at-home mom most of our lives. When we became teenagers, though, she went back to school and got her real estate license. This was her first full-time career and she excelled at it. She still made supper a priority, though, and we continued to gather around the family table every night, many times thanks to a casserole such as this.

A few nights a week Mama would put together a casserole and put it in the refrigerator covered in foil. If she ever ran late, she’d just call me and have me put the casserole in the oven so it would be ready to eat when everyone got home.

Cooking spray

1 box (6 ounces) seasoned long-grain and wild rice mix, such as Uncle Ben’s

2 cups shredded cooked chicken (see box, page 159)

1 recipe Cream of Mushroom Soup (page 282) or 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 can (14 ounces) French-style green beans, drained

1 cup slivered almonds

1 cup sour cream (optional)

1 sleeve crackers (about 35), crushed (preferably buttery crackers such as Ritz)

1/4 to 1/2 cup (1/2 to 1 stick) butter, melted

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.

2. Cook the rice according to the package directions and place it in a large bowl.

3. Add the chicken, soup, green beans, almonds, and sour cream, if using, and stir well until combined. Spoon the rice mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the cracker crumbs over the top and drizzle with the melted butter.

4. Bake the casserole until hot and bubbly, 30 minutes. Serve hot.

Does that not look scrumptious? Talk about comfort food!

And guess what! Christy is SO generous, she is offering one lucky EMM fan a chance to win Come Home To Supper!!! But I think it would also make a wonderful gift for any home cook on your shopping list this holiday season, so you can also find it on Amazon. 

Be sure to check Christy out on her website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too! 

*TO ENTER GIVEAWAY* Leave a comment telling me why you want to add this cookbook to your collection. (1) Comment per person. Contest Ends Nov. 4, 2013

Disclaimer: I was given a free cookbook in exchange for this review. Plus one for a giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.