You may think you know what’s inside this book simply because it’s about “breakfast food,” but trust me, you don’t. While “Morning Food,” by Margaret Fox, does indeed contain many scrumptious recipes for traditional breakfast favorites - waffles, pancakes, muffins - each dish has been crafted into something especially unique and inviting. Hence you find yourself with delicious, easy-to-follow recipes for “Mocha Walnut Wonder Muffins,” “Pumpkin & Ginger Pancakes” and “Cindy’s Cherry Chocolate-Chip Scones,” all delightful twists on old time faves. However, more than this, “Morning Food” suggests dishes that one may not usually associate with early, or even mid, morning meals. I certainly wouldn’t have thought to serve “bun bun noodles with spicy peanut sauce” for the first meal of the day, but after taking a chance and following Fox’s suggestion I now have a new take on the whole business of morning eating.

“Morning Food” is a beautifully presented, well-bound book with a generous number of photographs and helpful kitchen tips. Fox introduces you to the finer aspects of bread baking and discusses the history of schnapps (brandy distilled from fermented fruits) in approachable, friendly language. Her relaxed, comfortable style teaches you not to worry about mistakes and how to develop a repertoire of favorite dishes. Did those first few crepes not come out as hoped? No problem, freeze them then use the crepes later, cut into strips, as a garnish for soup. In every respect, Fox makes you feel like she’s an old friend who has invited you into her kitchen, where she happily shares her hard-won kitchen wisdom.

Chapters include: Cereals & Fruit; Muffins, Cookies & Biscuits; Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast & Crepes; Sandwiches & Soups; Side Dishes & Salads; Spreads, Sauces & Dressings; Entrees; Desserts; and Drinks. My favorite sections include the chapter about Bread & Scones and the Coffee Cakes chapter. Here I found delightful recipes for cinnamon-rolls, cinnamon-raisin bread, poppy seed yeast bread, yogurt coffee cake and chocolate-filled coffee cake. While these recipes may sound familiar, my husband is still raving about them, as are our friends. The yogurt coffee cake was a particular favorite, with people marveling at the subtle flavor and perfect texture - moist, yet firm, with a little give, like the best muffin you’ve ever had except in cake form. I recommend this book without reservation: if you are breakfast lover, if you enjoy great food, add this one to your collection.