'Long Nights and Log Fires' - Cookbook Spotlight

'Long Nights and Log Fires: Warming Comfort Food for Family and Friends'
Commissioning Editor Julia Charles
Photography by Ryland Peters & Small
Ryland Peters & Small -- 2009
Buy it on Amazon

"When the cold wind blows and the snow piles up outside, where better to be than at the heart of a warm kitchen, enjoying the aromas of good home cooking wafting from the oven?" ponders the intro to the supremely satisfying "Long Nights and Log Fires" cookbook.

Crafting a comprehensive repertoire to all things comfort food, the gratifying collection dishes up everything from "soups and snacks," "sides and salads" to "one-pot wonders," "bakes and desserts" and even heart-warming drinks, including Mocha Maple Coffee and Mexican Chocolate with Vanilla Cream. Using a bevy of autumnal ingredients -- relying on fresh produce, flavorful herbs and spices and a comforting dairy element -- this cookbook features everything sweet, spicy and savory to satisfy palates on cold nights.

See what we tested and find out whether the book's worth buying after the jump.
Takeaway tips: This is the culinary cold-weather bible, inviting readers to "come in from the cold" to enjoy its supremely soul-warming fare.

Quality of pictures: Ample and alluring -- not one page isn't graced by elegant photography, from refined warm-colored autumnal dishes in elegant dinnerware to wintry images, like the cozy cat nestled in an armchair or winter boots discarded near the front entry of a wood cabin. The photography imparts the same warmth that the book's recipes do.

We tested: Butternut Squash Soup with Honey and Sage, Parmesan and Rosemary Wafers

With a roster of tempting recipes -- from hearty meaty recipes like the Sticky Pork Tenderloin with a Pecorino Crust, Mustard Mash and Balsamic Onions, to spicy vegetarian ones (Harissa-Spiced Chickpeas with Halloumi and Spinach) to decadent desserts (Gooseberry and Ginger Wine Crumble) -- the decision was not an easy one, but craving simple comfort, we settled on the Butternut Squash Soup with Honey and Sage.

The soup -- which can alternately be concocted with a pumpkin base -- is a simple one, requiring a handful of vegetables (onion, carrot, garlic, butternut squash and a delicate squirt of lemon), a brothy base complemented with a dash of cream, and the prominently featured sage paired with a soft honey sweetness. But with a silky texture and subtle but unctuous flavors, it's the ultimate respite to bad weather, stress or any other issue prompting comfort-food cravings.

The Parmesan and Rosemary Wafers made for a simple yet delicious nibble, requiring only the two aforementioned ingredients to be quickly baked until crisp. Though amply delectable on their own, they also fared well as attractive additions atop the soup.

Worth the investment: With recipes to satisfy every possible mood or edible inclination, the comfort provided by these flavorful and filling dishes is absolutely priceless.