A State-By-State Guide to American Comfort Food

A classic southern comfort food, this spread is used as an appetizer with crackers, corn chips or celery. It is also smeared between two slices of white bread for sandwiches and as a topping for hamburgers and hot dogs. —Eileen Balmer, South Bend, Indiana

We eat salmon all summer long, and this is our favorite way to fix it. The mild sauce—brushed on as the fish grills—really enhances the taste. —Janis Smoke, King Salmon, Alaska.

My husband loves this beef chimichanga recipe! I often double the recipe and freeze the chimichangas individually to take out as needed. I serve them with shredded lettuce and sour cream. —Schelby Thompson, Camden Wyoming, Delaware

This is one of our favorite recipes. It's quick, easy and delicious. Just serve with a side salad, biscuits and mixed fruit for dessert. We like it a lot for Christmas Eve. —Jan Wilkins, Blytheville, Arkansas

This tastes as good as any restaurant or store-bought California roll. Plus, it's one of the easiest sushi recipes to make! For best results, do use the sushi rice to ensure the right sticky consistency. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

The prep work for this chili is easy thanks to several pantry staples. It’s loaded with shredded chicken and beans. The spicy heat can be tamed a bit by cool sour cream. —Fred Lockwood, Plano, Texas

This appetizer is the perfect start to any meal. It's always been a big hit with our family and friends. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York

I grew up in a German-Dutch community and this dish was a favorite there. I like to eat scrapple in the wintertime, but my husband thinks it's perfect anytime. As he always says, "It really sticks to your ribs." —Mrs. Merlin Brubaker, Bettendorf, Iowa

My state is well known for growing good peaches. This delicious recipe has been a family favorite for more than 50 years. —Marguerite Ethridge, Americus, Georgia

I make Key lime pie at least four times a month during summer, it’s so refreshing. The shortbread crust adds richness. —Brynn LeMaire, Gueydan, Louisiana

I got this grilled chicken recipe from a friend while living in Hawaii. It sizzles with the flavors of brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce. Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian. This sweet and savory glaze is fantastic on pork chops, too. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, California

Having grown up on a dairy farm in Holland, I love our country life here in Idaho's "potato country." My favorite recipe for potato soup originally called for heavy cream and bacon fat, but I've trimmed down the recipe. —Gladys DeBoer, Castleford, Idaho

Since I live near Chicago, I've managed to sample more than my share of deep-dish pizzas. This recipe lets you re-create the best of my town—right in your town! —Lynn Hamilton, Naperville, Illinois

I absolutely love Indiana sugar cream pie; especially the one that my grandma made for me. Here, we serve it warm or chilled and call it "Hoosier" sugar cream pie. —Laura Kipper, Westfield, Indiana

Here's a hearty dish for big appetites. The corn and apples make a tasty stuffing for the chops. —Judith Smith, Des Moines, Iowa

This simple and easy-to-work with recipe is sure to become a family favorite. And the wholesome cinnamon rolls will fill your kitchen with a wonderful, warm aroma. —Judy Eddy, Baldwin City, Kansas

Here's my take on the famous Hot Brown sandwich. Guests quickly saddle up for juicy turkey slices and crispy bacon, piled on toasted rye bread and then topped with a rich cheese sauce. —Annette Grahl, Midway, Kentucky

I’ve been making this gumbo for at least 30 years. I’m originally from New Orleans, and I think it’s a nice taste of the Vieux Carre (French Quarter). Everyone who tastes this gumbo wants the recipe. It’s an old standby for my family, who requests it frequently. —Dolores M. Bridges, Danville, Kentucky

To be truly authentic, melt a tablespoon of butter in a skillet and toast the outsides of the buns before filling with the cool lobster. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ready-to-go crabmeat makes these delicate patties easier than other crab cake recipes. You can also form the crab mixture into four thick patties instead of eight crab cakes. —Charlene Spelock, Apollo, Pennsylvania

Simmered in molasses, these Boston baked beans are perfect to take to your next potluck. The sauce is sweet, dark and rich and they complement anything you serve with them.—Darlene Duncan, Langhorne, Pennsylvania

This tart Michigan cherry pie is delicious with the streusel topping but even better crowned with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan

As the oldest of eight girls growing up on the farm, I began cooking at an early age! This soup—which I first had at my sister's house—brings me compliments no matter where I serve it. —Elienore Myhre, Balaton, Minnesota

Here's one of those "looks like you fussed" desserts that is so easy it's become a standard for me. I love the mocha version, but pure chocolate lovers may prefer using chocolate chip ice cream. The cookie crust is a snap to make. —Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland

Tender and juicy, these ribs are packed with a big smoky punch. You won't believe how quick they are from grill to plate! —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

These juicy steaks are a favorite meal of ours when we go camping. Let them sit in tangy, barbecue-inspired marinade overnight and you've got a rich and hearty dinner ready to grill up the next day. —Louise Graybiel, Toronto, Ontario

When I moved to Nebraska, I discovered many ethnic foods that I had never heard of before. A friend introduced me to this runza recipe, a German-Russian beef sandwich, and it quickly became a family favorite. —Dolly Croghan, Mead, Nebraska

Tomatoes, peppers, onions and cilantro replace traditional cocktail sauce in this lively Southwestern makeover of the popular appetizer. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

The combination of flavors makes this recipe a perfect treat for a cool fall day. These apple and pumpkin muffins are great for breakfast, dessert or an after-school snack. —Beth Knapp, Littleton, New Hampshire

I grew up in northern New Jersey, where hot dogs with grilled potatoes were born. It's a combo you’ll love. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Back when I lived in the Southwest, we wrapped everything up in a tortilla. Breakfast burritos in every possible combination are very popular in New Mexico. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida

This rich cheesecake is incredibly creamy. Even though the cake doesn't have a crust, I guarantee everyone will love it. —George Parsell, Flushing, New York

I live in Georgia, but I appreciate the tangy, sweet taste of Carolina barbecue chicken. In fact, my sons are more likely to show up to dinner if they know I'm serving this slow cooker recipe. —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia

In the summer, we can get beautiful, plump blueberries, which I use in this easy-to-make coffee cake. I like to freeze extra blueberries so I have them available any time I want this treat. —Anne Krueger, Richmond, British Columbia

These buckeyes are always popular at my church's annual Christmas fundraiser. They resemble chestnuts or buckeyes—hence the name. —Merry Kay Opitz, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

As a child, my grandmother taught me how to make this chicken fried steak. I taught my daughters, and when my granddaughters are bigger, I’ll show them, too. —Donna Cater, Fort Ann, New York

I believe Oregon marionberries make about the best berry pie in the world. And when you add some cream cheese and flavorings, you'll be making the best even better! —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon

This ultimate Philly cheesesteak recipe is a best-seller at Pat's King of Steaks Restaurant. Patrons praise its thinly cut beef and crusty Italian rolls. —Frank Olivieri, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The third of July is almost as important as the Fourth in my family. We make these stuffed clams on the third every year, and it's an event in and of itself! —Karen Barros, Bristol, Rhode Island

A southern specialty, this easy shrimp and grits recipe tastes great for brunch, dinner and when company’s coming. It’s down-home comfort food at its finest. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

Many times, I must come up with recipes requiring only ingredients already in my pantry. This is one of them. It's my husband's favorite meat dish. —Dolores, Lueken, Ferdinand, Indiana

I call this America’s best-loved oven-fried chicken. The secret is in the breading, which makes the chicken super moist and flavorful, herby and golden brown. —Elaina Morgan, Rickman, Tennessee

My family likes garlic, so I dreamed up this delicious marinade for our summer fajita dinners. The marinade needs eight hours to work its magic, but it’s even better if the steak marinates overnight. Try it on chicken breasts, too.—Karyn "Kiki" Power, Arlington, Texas

When my husband was in charge of our large pioneer celebration a few years ago, he decided to multiply our family favorite for a crowd. The dish is easy to fix and has become a standby for the event. Here is the original recipe, cheesy and comforting. —Lucile Proctor, Panguitch, Utah

My family has a small sugaring operation in our backyard. This recipe makes good use of the maple syrup we make. It's a family tradition to serve these sticky buns on Thanksgiving every year. —Priscilla Rossi, East Barre, Vermont

One of my best friends shared this recipe with me. My family loves it because it includes one of our favorite vegetables—broccoli. For potluck, it's a delicious and colorful way to use up leftover ham. —Margaret Allen, Abingdon, Virginia

This pie won Grand Champion in the Apple Pie category at the 1992 Okanogan County Fair. The pie looks traditional, but making your own filling gives it a different flair and great taste. —Dolores Scholz, Tonasket, Washington

Here is a fast appetizer recipe that goes over well at my house. Each bite has gooey melted cheese and real pizza flavor. Try serving them with pizza sauce for dipping. —Debra Purcell, Safford, Arizona

In Wisconsin, brats are a food group! We are always looking for new ways to cook them. This recipe is easy and a hit at any tailgate party or cookout, any time of year. —Jessica Abnet, DePere, Wisconsin

These cookies are very popular here in Wyoming. Mix up a batch for your crew and see why. —Patsy Steenbock, Shoshoni, Wyoming