The Romney Family Table

November 4, 2013
Large and lavish with remarkable color photos of both food and family, the author undertook this project after her husband lost the presidential election last year. There are many vignettes describing family events including stories from Romney's own childhood, her time as a young mother, and the more recent family vacations with her many grandchildren. The recipes reflect a taste for casual and often kid-friendly cuisine, for instance, "the Fluffernutter Sandwich", a standby created when Romney's five sons were young, which consists of peanut butter and Marshmallow Fluff on white bread. Romney says, "My boys affectionately call this âyucky bread,' which I assure you is their term of fond endearment." The recipes are mostly organized by occasion, such as the traditional apricot coffee cake, eaten every Christmas morning. For her husband's birthday, Romney always prepares a dish she names "Mitt's Meat Loaf Cakes." Then there is the "Lake Menu," a series of summer recipes prepared on family vacations at the Romney's Lake Winnipesaukee house. With 34 mouths to feed including those of 22 growing grandchildren, all the adults pitch in on the meals: "Dinner is a big deal. We all sit down together at three picnic tables." Lots of easy and tasty recipes made with love in this endearing cookbook. Color photos.