"Like me, Danielle Kartes realizes that food is the great connector—a conduit to bring people together around the table and create new memories." —Rachael Ray, for Rustic Joyful Food: My Heart's Table

What makes food special? Certainly not the most expensive ingredients or the latest trends in cooking. No, it's the people who took the time to make a meal for you, and how they loved you. I always knew there was something special about my grandma Gloria's oven-fried chicken, and I knew that the pains of life were somehow always healed in the kitchen. Every family, no matter what it looks like, has beautiful traditions around food—and it doesn't matter what is served but how it's served. We make memories around the table with the people we love, and we don't necessarily remember food for its expense or extravagance, but for the feelings it evokes in us.

Rustic Joyful Food: Generations is a thoughtful look at family-driven comfort food—heirloom recipes that have been handed down over the years. The recipes within these pages tell a story of a simpler time and well-worn hands. These recipes give a glimpse into my life and how I grew up; here, you'll find heartwarming stories about life, love, and the food that made me. I cook these recipes now for my family and those I cherish. It's my hope you will find a recipe within these pages to cherish as well.