Amuse-Bouche: Little Bites Of Delight Before the Meal Begins Review

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(More customer reviews)I expected the worst when I first bought this book. You know, the usual "just five minutes from raw ingredients to table" sort of promise that ends up being as hollow as a celery stalk. This book actually delivers on its rather bold premise. The recipes are technique-heavy, but ingredient light. If you have the items on hand (some are downright exotic), you have a poretty fair chance of getting these tasty openers in your guests' mouths in very little time. This is not a cookbook for beginners, but if you are comfortable with fairly involved techniques, then you'll have a GREAT time trying out these interesting and challenging recipes. A true must-have for the complete entertainer!

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At Home With Carolyne Roehm Review

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(More customer reviews)As a fan of Carolyne Roehm's A Passion for Flowers, I was anxious for the release of At Home with Carolyne Roehm. Given her instinctive sense of color, texture, and proportion in designing luxuriously elegant flower arrangements, I was hoping to see her talents applied to interior design in her latest book, At Home. I had expected to see favorite rooms in her houses with tips on decorating, but please be advised, "At Home" refers only to entertaining including menus, recipes, place settings and more flower arrangements. Although I was frustrated at having misinterpreted the title, the sheer loveliness of her ideas on seasonal dinners, afternoon teas and picnics did make up for some of my disappointment.
If you're interested in still life photography or design layout, you will enjoy the visual appeal of this book. Chapters are organized by season and subdivided into holidays and other events. Roehm creates poetic tableaux - for example, a springtime picnic photo shows a canoe laden with cushions, picnic basket, fruit and flowers. It's moored at the banks of a grassy island (yes, owned by Roehm) and leafy branches trail at the surface of the water.
I have tried a few of the recipes, which are for the most part, simple and tasty. But what makes Roehm's meals extraordinary are not the recipes, but her impressively extravagant collection of china, silverware and glassware. Although there is an appendix ("Details") on table setting design and care of china and linens, etc., this is not for someone who is looking for an extensive "how to" a la Martha Stewart. It probably wasn't meant to be.
I believe Roehm simply offers us artistic inspiration. This is her visual interpretation of a year's worth of entertaining. And while most of us don't have the extensive resources she has, we are still able to draw several ideas about presentation that will delight our own guests.

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Former fashion designer Carolyne Roehm is renowned for combining a keen appreciation of beauty with practical know-how. Now, with this gorgeously illustrated guide, readers can go behind the scenes of her memorable parties, learn her entertaining secrets, and visit the glamorous homes where she has dazzled her prominent guests. Imparting fresh ideas and inspiration for knockout events on any budget, At Home with Carolyne Roehm follows the calendar’s seasons to provide year-round suggestions for place settings, floral arrangements, and menus. Emphasizing creativity and natural elements, Carolyne Roehm’s tips are not exclusively geared toward elegant functions: Picnics, cozy fireside meals for two, afternoon teas, and formal dinner parties are treated with equal verve. Drawing on ingredients and imagery appropriate for spring, summer, winter, and fall and all the major holidays, this handsome collection yields a trove of simple but sophisticated recipes along with perfect tabletop and decorative accents to accompany them. Biscuit sandwiches of Mustard-Glazed and Smoked Cheddar; Shrimp and White Bean Salad; Zucchini and Watercress Soup; and Fudgy Rum Chocolate Cake are just a few of the delicious and easy-to-prepare dishes. For successful festive occasions that friends and family will remember for years, from a grand New Year’s Eve gala to a spring brunch with a floral theme, At Home with Carolyne Roehm is itself glorious cause for celebration.

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The One-Armed Cook: Quick and Easy Recipes, Smart Meal Plans, and Savvy Advice for New (and Not-So-New) Moms Review

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(More customer reviews)The easy-delicious recipes made me really look good when we took care of the exhausted-new parents and baby for two weeks.
Of the sixteen recipes that I tried, during our two-week visit, the family said that every one turned out delicious and elegant! I'm not that secure of a cook either. The slow-cooker recipes are fabulous too.
Beside the recipes, the ideas for new mothers are a great read!


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Superb recipes that can be made with a whisk in one hand and a baby cradled in the other with most recipes prepared, start-to-finish, in 30 minutes or less.
Appetizing menus for any season or occasion.
Game plans for success—stocking the pantry, filling the freezer, and dining out tips.
Comprehensive list of essential kitchen equipment sure to make cooking with baby in tow faster, easier, and more fun.
Tricks for preparing no-fail dinner parties and everyday meals, hosting family celebrations, and feeding weekend guests.
Sage advice for joyfully entering into motherhood, establishing family rituals, and keeping baby safe while working in the kitchen.

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Halloween Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family (Holiday Celebrations) Review

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(More customer reviews)I enjoyed the wonderfully festive pictures and I was able to glean some ideas from her book as a starting point for my own Hallowe'en projects. However, I'm not so sure there is enough substance nor wholly original ideas to make it a worthwhile purchase. It is a fun book to thumb through but most of the "magic" is to be found in the photographs. I tried some of the recipies: the cocoa cobweb cupcakes were not "chocolatey" enough and the pumpkin soup was okay but not spectacular.

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Thanksgiving Dinner: Recipes, Techniques, and Tips for America's Favorite Celebration Review

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(More customer reviews)This little book is my Thanksgiving Bible, as it were. I have other cookbooks that are designed with the Thanksgiving feast in mind, but only this one has proven to be my "go to" volume, year after year. It provides everything you could possible need, whether you are a novice or an experienced cook--how to prep and cook the bird (including a very helpful timetable, broken down by bird size and stuffed vs. unstuffed cooking times), how to plan a meal for various group sizes from family size to "oh my God, what was I thinking when I invited all these people" size, and recipes for all sorts of appetizers, starter courses, sidedishes, gravies, relishes, breads and desserts--more than you could ever need or want. Some of the recipes I'm asked about year after year have come from this one under-appreciated slim volume. Find a copy; it'll be worth every penny.

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A reissue of a holiday crowd-pleasing cookbook that features more than 160 creative and delicious recipes for America's favorite feast--from soup to leftovers--beautifully illustrated in two colors and praised by food critics and connoisseurs around the country. Originally published in 1990 by HarperCollins.

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FamilyFun Kitchen: Fast Family Dinners Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm so sick of "family" cook books that expect me to spend an hour or more cooking dinner. No one in the Real World has time like that when you've got little kids. This cook book is great. It's full of yummy recipes that don't take too long to make. Even my VERY picky toddler will eat most of them. Some top picks include Cracker Chicken, Sweet and Sour Grilled Chicken, Spaghetti Pie, Apple Crisp a la Mode, and Pork on a Bun. I do wish the book had more recipes but it's well worth the money. And it's especially worth it since you'll actually be able to spend some time with your kids, rather than just cooking for them!

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In a hurry to get dinner on the table? Before your kids start raiding the snack cupboard, take a look at this collection of superfast recipes from FamilyFun magazine. Here you'll find dozens of delicious dishes that will appeal to kids-and their parents. The recipes, from Apricot Chicken Drumsticks to Fish Fingers to Baked Ziti, take anywhere from only five minutes to an hour to prepare, so parents can choose just the right meal to fit their busy schedule.

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Christmas Entertaining (Williams-Sonoma) Review

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(More customer reviews)These Williams-Sonoma books have always been good but the newer editions are better because in addition to the menu, they also provide a work plan. I made the entire Italian Christmas dinner almost without a hitch (had trouble finding squid and had to improvise with octopus). But wow - it was amazing.

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Christmas EntertainingChristmas is a time for entertaining, and for the host that means hours spent planning, shopping, cooking, and decorating the house. With a good guidebook in hand, the work of holiday entertaining can be one of the joys of the season. In Williams-Sonoma Christmas Entertaining, you'll discover everything you need to know to welcome guests into your home with style and ease.Organized around six festive holiday occasions, this book provides complete menus and decorating ideas, all designed to fit the way people like to entertain and spend time together today: a cozy Fireside Cocktail Party; an Italian Christmas Eve supper; a chic Christmas Eve in the City; a lavish, traditional New England Christmas; a sparkling Snow Country Breakfast; and a casual New Year's Day Open House.There are some fifty easy-to-master recipes for everything from make-ahead finger food to appetizers, main courses, and desserts. The beautiful color photography and step-by-step tyle and drink ideas make it easy to create elegant centerpieces, signature beverages, and delightful welcoming touches that transform the table and the house. helpful reference sections provide guidelines on tableware, setting up a buffet, selecting wine, and more.You can follow the detailed work plans included in each chapter to create a complete party, or mix and match recipes and ideas to assemble your menus. Either way, you'll find everything you need for hosting memorable holiday get-togethers with style and confidence.

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Williams-Sonoma Entertaining: Thanksgiving Entertaining Review

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(More customer reviews)I made my first T-day dinner and used many recipes from this book. The Sourdough/Apple stuffing was a huge hit!! As will all WS books, it is a beautiful text. This is truly an entertaining cookbook with decor tips, beverages, and after holiday meals.

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Thanksgiving EntertainingThanksgiving is perhaps the most American holiday of all, a celebration of beloved foods, and customs that evoke happy memories of good times shared with family and friends. Williams-Sonoma Thanksgiving Entertaining is a complete guide to creating those favorite traditions in your own home. Equal parts cookbook and how-to manual, it presents five menus for entertaining over the Thanksgiving weekend, including three distinctive ideas for the holiday feast.Fot traditionalists, there is a classic New England Thanksgiving dinner featuring roasted turkey with pan gravy and all the trimmings, including an old-fashioned oyster stuffing,, cranberry relish, and buttery mashed potatoes. A contemporary California-style holiday menu showcases a butterflied turkey and light, seasonal Mediterranean-inspired accompaniments, while an elegant southern buffet offers a glorious glazed ham, spooned bread, and collard greens.Because Thanksgiving entertaining often extends beyond the holiday meal, this book includes menus for a casual Day-After Lunch, with turkey sandwiches and snacks, and a homey weekend breakfast, with French toast, smoothies, and an irresistible Pumpkin Bread.In addition to the nearly fifty recipes, there are step-by-step instructions for decorating your home, setting an attractive table, and making a variety of festive drinks -- all lavishly illustrated with color photographs. Detailed work plans accompany each menu, and helpful reference sections provide guidelines on tableware and glassware, setting up a buffet, pairing food and wine, and more. You'll find everything you need to know to host a memorable Thanksgiving that both you and your guests will enjoy.

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In Style Parties (The Complete Guide to Easy, Elegant Entertaining) Review

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(More customer reviews)Instyle's latest book "InStyle Parties (The Complete Guide to Easy, Elegant Entertaining), is a step by step guide to hosting your best party!
The 192 page hardcover, coffee table sized book (10x9x1/2)describes in detail the invitations, decor and menu for a variety of parties ranging from a backyard luau to a mediterranean dinner. Other parties include super bowl, afternoon spa, baby shower, birthday dinner, thanksgiving dinner and more. The super bowl party for example suggests a buffet menu that includes chili with turkey and white beans, sugar and spice pecans, tortilla chips with bean dip and an ice cream sundae dessert bar. Make the invites by writing on card stock glued on mini football pennants and decorate with mini plastic football players and goalposts. The book tells you exactly what to do from week to week to prepare for the party.
It also suggests modifications for each party. Don't feel like fixing food? Order a platter of preassembled gourmet deli sandwiches.
There are a lot of cute, novel ideas in the book. The holiday cocktail party has you crushing candy canes in martini glasses. Oscar night suggests sending invites in film canisters. The baby shower party would have you decorating with tea lights in baby food jars and serving goodies in silver baby cups with baby spoons.
The book serves as a launching pad for ideas. The spa party suggests you consider splurging on Swarovski crystal studded spa invites..well I am not likely to do that..but using this idea I might buy some crystals at a craft store and doctor up a another cute invite. The book does give some "over the top" ideas for parties but it also gives substitutes. It all depends on your budget and desire.
The book also includes chapters with some great basic information; how to stock a bar, the decor, the table, the food and the invitations. The table section for example, details tableware. linens, setting the table, serving styles, seating and extra help.
Choc o' bloc with full color photographs of different parties and interspersed with the occasional picture of a celeb noshing on this or that, Instyle Parties is a super resource and sure to make your next event even more special!
Lee Mellott


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Want to throw an A-list party without spending heaps of time and money? "In Style: Parties", the complete guide to easy, elegant entertaining, is the one-stop guide to making every event stylish and personal, and it proves once and for all that entertaining at home can be easy, fabulous, and fun. Organized in three sections, the book includes: the basics of party preparation, including what to serve and how to create the perfect atmosphere; complete party guides for every occasion, from dinner parties for 8 to cocktail parties for 30;and a listing of the top resources for food, drink, and decor, from artisanal cheeses and exotic chocolates to flowers and flat wear. The book begins with the basics section, which arms readers with the essentials of party planning. In thorough yet accessible detail, this section provides tips on how to plan a menu, stock a bar, set a table, serve cocktails, and feed a crowd, efficiently and with finesse. Also covered are tips on invitations, decorations, and music, which set the tone for a special occasion. The heart of the book is twenty of the most popular party guides published in "In Style" magazine over the last five years.Playful themes, fresh and simple recipes, sexy drinks, elegant decor, handy timetables, and a non-stuffy approach make it easy to stay on top of all the little details. Readers can follow the guides closely, mix up elements from different guides to suit their unique vision, or simply use them as inspiration. With its elegant illustrations and vibrant images of celebrity-studded evens, colourful drinks, luscious foods, and sophisticated decor, "In Style: Parties" put the fun of parties first.

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Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers And Eaters Review

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(More customer reviews)I love to browse through different cookbooks. I have quite a collection, and usually go to the library to find new recipes to try before I decide to purchase the entire book. I normally look for 3 things in a cookbook, besides delicious recipes that will work for my family. This includes:
1) Pictures of more than ? of the recipes (Color pictures are the best)
2) A spiral binding, or at least on that easily lays flat
3) New & innovative recipes that have ingredients I can easily find at a grocery store
For this book, I was intrigued by the fact that each fairy tale in the book was accompanied by at least one recipe that goes along with it. For example, Little Red Riding Hood is accompanied by recipes for Deviled Eggs, Granny's Potato Salad, and Chicken Salad Pockets (all of the items that may have been included in Riding Hood's basket). The book offers great illustrations to go along with each story...this is a beautiful book! However, there are no actual photographs of the finished recipes, and was not in a binding that laid flat. Even though I normally wouldn't rate a cookbook as a 5 star without these items, the premise of the book was fun and fresh, and the book itself was lovely.
I loved the concept of this book, and highly recommend it as a gift for children that like stories and cooking.
Some of our favorites include: Chicken Salad Pockets, Sweet-Smelling Cinnamon Bread, Jack's Magic Party Beans, and Snow White's Baked Apples. Enjoy!


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Thanksgiving (Williams-Sonoma) Review

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(More customer reviews)From Williams-Sonoma, "Thanksgiving" has 40 essential recipes that you can count on to be delicious. Thanksgiving is all about the experiance of enjoying home cooking. Learn to make a no fail classic roast turkey, or Hickory-Smoked Roast Turkey with Horseradish-Apple Sauce if you want to get fancy. All the side dishes are here and maybe some new ones too including wild rice and chestnut stuffing, butternut squash Soup, dressings, breads, cranberry sauce and more. A whole chapter is dedicated to the important staple "potatoes" and they varied ways you can prepare the humble spuds. Sweet Candied Yams are here too. Desserts are not forgotten such as Creamy Pumpkin Pie
One of the nice things about this company is that they include large color photos of their completed dishes, and these help with presentation as well. The recipes are accessible and easy to follow for any level cook. You will rely on this book every year, a worthwhile investment. And it looks prettier on the shelf than most cookbooks I have seen.


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No other holiday captures the spirit of home cooking the way Thanksgiving does. From the perfect roast turkey with wild rice and chestnut stuffing to a rich, old-fashioned pumpkin pie, good food shared with family and friends is what makes this day so special.Williams-Sonoma Collection Thanksgiving offers easy-to-follow recipes you will want to include in your own holiday menu year after year. In these pages, you'll find inspiring first courses and a tempting variety of side dishes and desserts as well as some new ideas for the main course. This vividly photographed, full-color recipe collection will become an essential addition to your kitchen bookshelf. "Whether it's your first time preparing a Thanksgiving meal or your twentieth, I hope these recipes make your feast enjoyable."

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