• sara_md6kei on February 18, 2026

  Easily one of my favorite cookbooks I own. No recipes have disappointed me, especially the desserts. All of them are fantastic and delicious. My copy is so worn it’s all taped up so it doesn’t fall apart. Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves American classics.

• robm on July 05, 2012

  Martha gets on my nerves, but I have to admit that this is an excellent book -- it covers the range of American and regional classics with well-thought-out recipes and attractive illustrations. This would be a good book to give as a gift to an overseas visitor (or for visitors to buy for themselves) if they like American foods and want to reproduce them at home! The recipes aren't extreme, but designed to produce good, flavorful results, even for homey comfort food favorites like tuna and noodles, green bean casserole or meat loaf! But the book includes appealing recipes for chowders and stews, Southwestern favorites, Southern classics, and more. Good job, Martha!

Notes about Recipes in this book

• Blueberry pancakes

  • Dionysiaca on April 13, 2025

    Now my favourite blueberry pancake recipe; no need to rest batter, so it's on the table fast, with perfect texture and taste. I used vanilla paste, not extract, and a sprinkle of maple sugar.

• Baked artichoke dip

  • meggan on December 31, 2023

    Delicious!

• Mushroom-and-bacon dip

  • babyfork on September 30, 2015

    It's been a long time since I made this for a party, but it must have been good. Mushrooms, bacon, cream cheese, sour cream, etc? Need to try again.

• Classic potato salad

  • Kfaber on September 15, 2013

    A solid traditional potato salad but was lacking a bit in flavor

• Yellow layer cake

  • AllisonML on April 12, 2026

    I’ve been making this yellow cake recipe for years and I always come back to it - it’s reliable and sturdy to layer and delicious.

• Corned beef and cabbage

  • vickster on March 18, 2013

    Made with already cured brisket. Pretty basic recipe, but like the way vegetables are cooked separately. Meat comes out very tender.

• Red and green cabbage slaw with bacon

  • meggan on April 13, 2020

    Simple and yummy. Pretty for Easter.

• Blueberry crisp

  • debrakp on July 23, 2014

    The crisp topping was delicious and stayed crisp for several days. Next time I will add a bit more cornstarch, since the filling was a bit soupy.

• Hoppin' John

  • BoniwellBoys on January 02, 2026

    We used one pork shank in place of the ham hocks and it worked great.

• Buckeye candies

  • Kfaber on September 15, 2013

    My favorite version of this treat- so light and they melt in your mouth

• Skillet cornbread

  • trmarvin on January 13, 2019

    Perfect and easy to throw in the oven while you make the rest of the meal.

• Kitchn

  This cookbook just makes me happy. Here's a cookbook for rediscovering favorites and finding a few new ones. You can literally cook your way from one coast to the other.

  Full review

• Oregonian

  ... has put a "fresh, modern" spin on the recipes, for the most part they remain true to their roots. This is very much simple, honest home cooking, not chef-y food, and we find that refreshing.

  Full review

• Huffington Post

  Martha celebrates the unique character of each part of the country and gathers, in one place, the recipes that will surely please your family and friends for generations to come.

  Full review