Book excerpt: For some, nothing says comfort food like creamy mac ‘n’ cheese, a bubbling potpie or even a pizza loaded savory toppings. For others, a wedge of chocolate cake, creamy milkshakes or freshly baked bread offer enough satisfaction to soothe the soul. Whatever comfort food you and your family enjoy most, you’re sure to find it in this enormous collection of favorites from Taste of Home. The mac & cheese is hot, bubbling and just begging to be served. But this is no ordinary pasta, it’s loaded with bacon, two kinds of cheese and topped with buttery bread crumbs, and it’s a dish you and everyone you share it with will never forget. The Double-Cheese Mac with Bacon (p.140) you see on the cover is just one of more than 475 home-style recipes in Taste of Home Ultimate Comfort Food Imagine being greeted by the aroma of freshly baked bread or experiencing the anticipation of a slow cooked stew. The nine chapters in this book touch on all the senses, from the smell of sizzling bacon in the morning to the intense taste of a rich dark-chocolate cake. All the comforts you know and love are here: the chicken soup your mom used to make; the gingerbread men you decorated as a kid; the grilled cheese you turn to on a rainy day. Organized by course and cooking method, you’ll find just the thing you’re craving for a leisurely brunch, Sunday dinner or casual potluck. We believe all of the dishes in this book have a special place in your lives, but there are some familiar classics that are universally recognized as pure comfort. We’re talking about the best-ever meatloaf and mashed potatoes, golden biscuits and gravy, savory chicken potpie… the meals The Ultimate Comfort Food cookbook would not complete without. Look for the ULTIMATE Comfort icon throughout this book to identify these time-honored recipes, as well as the kid FRIENDLY icon for childhood favorites your kids will love.