Classic Recipes for Modern People: A Collection of Culinary Favorites Reimagined

The Sussman siblings take the age-old concept of comfort food and update it for modern tastes. Home cooks interested in adding to their comfort food canon will likely find some inspiration in this eye-catching collection. In many cases, the original recipe is visible through the Sussmans' changes, as with lamb meatloaf with curried potatoes; spicy Asian fondue; preserved lemon key lime pie; and an eight-layer dip consisting of shrimp ceviche. But the duo don't stop there, offering imaginative dishes like vegetable dumplings with spicy dipping sauce; an omelet made of hash browns; and the incredibly messy full English breakfast, incorporating bacon, eggs, sausage, tomatoes and baked beans. The recipes are, for the most part, fairly easy to source and prepare. A simple chicken liver mousse on toast with fresh blackberries, for example, is well within the reach of even the most novice cook, as is the inevitable burger (pork-based, with a little beef and panko in lieu of traditional bread crumbs). The Sussmans' thoughtful collection is sure to jar readers from their comfort (food) zones and encourage them to branch out to incorporate new flavors and ingredients. (Mar.)