Book review of There’s Always Room at the Table by Kaleb Wyse

Although the concept of “farm to table” has been hugely promoted and popularized in recent years, the professions of farmer and cookbook writer don’t often go hand in hand. But this pairing is a perfect fit in Kaleb Wyse’s new cookbook, There’s Always Room at the Table: Farmhouse Recipes From My Family to Yours. Crafted with insight, care and thoughtfulness, Wyse’s book offers a huge collection of “farmhouse recipes from my family to yours.” Easy-to-follow recipes resurrect old comfort-food favorites, such as chili mac, lasagna, pot roast, three-bean salad and butterscotch pudding.

Recipe headers and sidebars highlight anecdotes and history from the Wyse family farm in Iowa, which has been around for four generations. Wyse’s popular lifestyles blog, Wyse Guide, embraces rural life, and many of the recipes collected in his book reflect the farm-fresh ingredients he grows, such as rhubarb, peaches, blackberries, pork and potatoes. As a result, the cookbook balances Wyse’s friendly and entertaining writing style with an informative and realistic narrative.“The recipes aren’t set in stone,” Wyse writes, “they live and breathe just like us. Ingredients change, tastes evolve, but the base flavors stay true.”

Chapters are organized into breakfast, main dishes, side dishes, snacks, salads, desserts and breads. Homestyle offerings such as chicken and biscuits are simple enough for a weeknight, yet indulgingly perfect for Sunday dinner. Sauteed garlicky zucchini is a fitting complement for the rich chicken and savory biscuits, layered spaghetti pie, “State Fair” pork tenderloin or any of the other main dishes featured. Desserts range from old favorites such as brownies and raspberry oat crumb bars to more sophisticated recipes like “Grandma’s Special Occasion” cream puffs. Breakfast recipes take cues from hearty farm fare, with stick-to-your-ribs options like cornmeal pancakes with blackberry sauce and peach cobbler baked oatmeal.

There’s no shortage of cookbooks by bloggers, TikTokers and YouTube sensations. But with its focus on beloved farmhouse recipes updated for modern tastes, There’s Always Room at the Table will stand out in any cookbook collection.