Reviews (4)

Incredible recipies
This is one of my favorite cookbooks, it contains many of my favorite deserts such as the Italian cream cake ,Coconut-Chocolate-Almond Cheesecake,Chocolate Truffle Cake,etc.. I also love the fact that the author included lots of color photos giving visual cooks like myself an idea of what the finished product should look like. For those who are tired of making the same boring holiday meals,I would definitely encourage you to buy this cookbook.

So Living Christmas cookbook
Outstanding!A true 5 Starr book.It has been several years sine they have had a totally all Christmas cookbook and this one is great.

Christmas is Coming
Great Christmasideas for both family and entertaining.Lots of new ideas with easy to follow directions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    5. Holiday - General    6. Holidays - Christmas    7. Regional & Ethnic - American - Southern States   

Reviews (11)

Can't live without this book
This is the greatest slow cooker recipe book I've ever bought, and I've bought quite a few.I have 3 young children and a business so my time is valuable.I just "set it and forget it." The recipes are so easy to prepare.Most with ingredients you find in most kitchens.I ate over my brothers house and a friends house and found 1 thing in common.Great food.The recipes were both from the same cookbook.Thats when I knew I had to have it.We eat from this cookbook at least 2 times a week.

A timesaver for busy people
After years of a stored crockpot, I updated mine and have begun using it, once again.I've made a half dozen of the recipes in the Fix-It and Forget-It Recipes for Entertaining.My family enjoys them and my friends enjoy the "comfort" of homecooking.Being busy outside the home doesn't mean making dinner plans with friends a rare event.With the ease of preparing quick, easy meals with convenient ingredients, I'm delighted with this book.

Fix it-----You won't forget it!
I love this book, even more than the origianl Fix It and Forget It.The recipes are very easy to put together, and are family friendly.I can put these meals together in the morning before I leave for work and have a good meal ready when I get home.I have used some of these recipes to take to pot-lucks or when having family over.Although they do not make a grand, 12 course meal, thess recipes are perfectly acceptable for friends and family.As a homeschooling mom with three kids and a 30-hour-a-week job, this book has been a lifesaver!It keeps my husband from making pbj every night that I work!Well worth it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Electric cookery, Slow    4. Electric cooking    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Methods - General    8. Methods - Special Appliances    9. Cooking / General   

Reviews (13)

A reader from Atlanta
I have just discovered this very charming book The Thanksgiving Ceremony.In these extraordinary times "new traditions for America's Family Feast" is a glowing jewel.I am reminded that "it" is not about polished silver, starched linens, the right amount of sage in the stuffing, the side dishes, desserts or wine selections, who gets to carve, and whether or not you-know-who will embarrass everyone."It" is about our past and our future, fellowship, commitment, joy, perseverance and progress.And about faithful thanksgiving - every day.
THE GREAT AMERICAN TRADITION
In many ways, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.Even though retailers are now jumpstarting Christmas even before Halloween, Thanksgving is still the true kickoff to the Holiday season.
Afocused, dignified andmeaningful Thanksgiving
Celebrated New York Times columnist William Safire, in his foreward to Edward Bleier' "The Thanksgiving Ceremony" Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Customs & Traditions    3. Entertaining - General    4. Manners And Customs    5. Seasonal    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Thanksgiving Day    9. Social Science / Customs & Traditions   

Reviews (3)

Great Text for Culinary Nutrition Class
I was assigned this text in my nutrition class in culinary school.The book was a joy to read because it was fun and easy to read.I really liked the section on vitamins and food sources of each vitamin.However, if you really want to know the type of questions asked in nutrition class in culinary school get the following."Nutrtion Study Guide for Food Service and Culinary Professionals: Key Review Questions and Answers by Melissa Heilman. The isbn of this book is 1933023058.This book is right on with the type of questions that I accounted on my tests.With the help of these two books getting an "A" was quite easy.

A great guide for nutrition.
Very knowledgable book on nutrition including information for children and older adults.As a culinary professional I wanted to read up on the latest nutrition especially on soy and to improve my diet.I am also considering taking some courses, one of them is Sanitation.The Study Guide for the National Servsafe Exam by Dr. Leonardi was a book I found also very knowledgable and I am certain that it will help me with my exam once I decide when to take it.

Exactly what I needed.
This book was exactly what I needed. It contains all the information I needed. A great learning tool. The part of the book I am most impressed with is the section of infant nutrition. It explains month by month what you can feed your infant. An example is the 4th month of life, you can start your child on iron enriched cereals. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Cooking    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Entertaining - General    5. Food Science    6. Food service    7. Methods - Professional    8. Nutrition    9. Food & Drink / Cookery    10. Technology / Food Industry & Science   

Reviews (4)

A BOOK FOR MY TWO FAVORITE HOLIDAYS
Boy, right when Halloween is over I am in full Thanksgiving mode.I've been doing Thanksgiving dinner for my family for over ten years and each ear I seek out at least one or two new recipes to try out on my guinea pigs....errr...guests.This book is culled from the most wonderful recipe site on the internet, allrecipes.com.Long has this been a favored site of mine and millions of other cooks as well.The editors have pulled together 200 of the finest holiday recipes for inclusion in the book.
Essential for the holidays
I just tried the marbled pumpkin cheesecake at a Halloween party and it was the best tasting mix between pumpkin pie and cheesecake I'd ever had!This book has it all, from simple roasted turkeys to delicious squash casseroles. I can't wait to try more this season!

A Great Book for the Holidays
I, too, spent some time searching for the perfect holiday book before finally picking up this one.It has a great selection of easy-to-make recipes, all tested by home cooks across the nation.Allrecipes.com is my all-time favorite food website, and this book is a holiday dream come true!Happy eating! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - General    5. Holiday - General    6. Thanksgiving cookery    7. General cookery   

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - General    4. Entertaining - General    5. Methods - General    6. Reference   

Reviews (1)

Another wonderful book from Karen MacNeil
I pre-ordered Wine, Food and Friends by Karen MacNeil and could hardly wait to receive it.In her true fashion, Ms. MacNeil has created another wonderfully accessible book on wine and food.The Wine Bible (her first book) is a staple in any true wine enthusiast's library and her new book is also a must.The recipes, along with wine pairings, and sharing of Ms. MacNeil's vast knowledge and expertise in wines and the wine world, make this more than just a visually beautiful book ... but a book one will turn to again and again for advice on entertaining with food and wine.Ms. MacNeil exhibits a warm, witty and personable style of writing that is universally appealing.I will be sending many copies of this book to friends and family! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Entertaining - General    6. Essays    7. General    8. Wine And Wine-Making    9. Wine and wine making   

Reviews (9)

Spooktacular finds and helpful hints
i found this book to be helpful for decorating and having the scavenger hunt which i hope is a hit at my party. the foods were okay, because i think when you're having an adult halloween party, you need to have less sugary foods and more grown-up foods so to speak. otherwise, it was fine. thank you

101 Spooktacular Party Ideas
I love Halloween and had looked FOREVER to find a book to help with some ideas in the celebration and this book is it!This book gives ideas and step by step how to's in playing games, making recipes and creating props. Straightforward, easy, non-crafty and fun.Age limits are put on the games so you know which ones to use, or not to use.I have bought so many Halloween how to books that just sit on the shelf.This one does not!I have dog eared and paper clipped this one into tatters! This IS the book to buy!

Best Halloween Book for Kid's Halloween Party!
This year I purchased a number of books on Halloween in order to get more ideas for my annual Halloween party for children ages 2 to 8. This book is a gem, best of the batch. I was able to use at least 10 ideas from this book, including "Stick the Nose on the Pumpkin", "Bopping for Apples", "Halloween Hunt" "Witches Brew" punch, etc. These ideas are easy to use, and not time consuming, unlike the ones I found in other books... where the prime requirement seems to be having a lot of spare time to carry out their ideas. I will use this book over and over again in years to come! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Cooking / Entertaining    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Crafts for Children    5. Dance    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Family & Relationships    8. Family/Marriage    9. Seasonal    10. Social Science / Holidays (non-religious)    11. Entertaining    12. Halloween    13. Holidays (non-religious)    14. Parties    15. Planning    16. Social Sciences   

Reviews (6)

Cook's Illustrated Test Kitchen
Even though I subscribe and have many Cook's Illustrated books this was worth the purchase.Yes, some of the info is repeated from other pubs but often tweaked a little and some new stuff also.A very good read, too!

Avid Cook
I ordered the first volume of the series and was very pleased with my purchase.This is a fine addition to my cookbook collection.

Excellent book but could use a better index
This book is OUTSTANDING.America's Test Kitchen is like the Consumer Report's of recipes and cooking products.I enjoy learning WHY certain products and techniques work.They try and try until they get a particular recipe to be the best it can be. Then they share what they learned.The one disappointing aspect of this book is the Table of Contents and indexes.For example each "chapter" contains several recipes, but you have to go to the chapter in order to see what all the recipes are within that chapter.But the book is so very excellent that I can forgive this flaw. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - General    5. Entertaining - General    6. Methods - General   

Reviews (5)

Love it!
This book has easy to follow instructions and is very informative about the history of the napkin folds.My husband smiles when he sits down to eat.It's fun decorating the table now.

Somewhat palatable
Being a napkin enthusiast, naturally I'm quite an avid fan of Linda Hetzer, however, I find it immensely unnerving that she inexcusably has omitted several key napkin folding solutions.Apparently, she just wouldn't make the effort to list 100 Fancy Folds, just only 94 - how revolting. Splendid and informative
Hetzer and Penny have excelled themselves with this fine work, which truly does offer 94 napkin folds.They are all relatively simple, even for people at the art of their origami careers.The book loses a star, though, for not properly discussing which fold is best suited to the Subbuteo tabletop. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - General    4. Etiquette    5. Napkin folding    6. Table setting and decoration    7. Tablesetting    8. Cooking / Tablesetting    9. Handicrafts    10. Home furnishing & decoration   

Reviews (11)

Absolutely charming!!
You know how you wonder if a book is as good on the inside as it looks on the outside? The old cliche of "don't judge a book......"? Well, go ahead and judge this book because the cover is definitely a peek into what is on the inside!!
Best cake decorating book I've ever seen
I have a vast array of cake decorating books in my collection and I've never come across one that I liked anywhere near as much as this book.With such a beautiful cover, I assumed that this would be the highlight of the book and then there would be a few other nice ones that I might try as well.I was not prepared to want to try about 90% of the ideas in this book.In fact, there are about 10 in here that could have easily been the cover recipe.The Romantic Rose Tower (although VERY intimidating) has got to be the most beautiful and original cake I've ever seen.I highly recommend this book - if just for the artwork!I can't wait to get started.

Excellent
This book is more than I expected... it's just great for ideas and quick tips. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baking - Confectionery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - Cakes    5. Courses & Dishes - Cookies    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Cooking / Cakes   

Reviews (5)

Party Planning 101, 201 and the Graduate Course
This is the most creative, realistic, inspiring party planning book I have seen! It covers all sorts of parties from Baby showers to retirement banquets and everything in between.
Party Planning!
Great book filled with cost effective ideas for throwing a great party! Pleanty of variety in the book to suit everyone's taste and budget!

Very helpful when it comes to organizing!
This book offered many tips on many different themes in parties. Although, it seems that Diane is more oriented with weddings, she tends to have quite a few chapters on weddings in this book. She does, however, have good ideas for barbeques, post-prom parties and random special events.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Parties    8. Tablesetting    9. Etiquette & entertaining   

Reviews (8)

Heaven & Hell
I was in Heaven through the fresh flower chapters, and then... I was descending to Hell through the dried flower chapters.My math counted 90 pages of Heaven and 54 pages of Hell.

Flower Power
This is a great book for people who are new to flower arranging.

Complete Guide to Flower Arrangeing
The book is very good. However, I am not so sure if some of theRead more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Flower arrangement    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging   

Reviews (9)

Must-have book for entertaining!
This is simply a gorgeous book that all entertainers must have.If you want to do something creative with your guests, Dina Cheney's book Tasting Club offers simple yet very impressive ways to do so with "tastings" for your visitors.We can't wait for our dark chocolate tasting party!

A Book You Will Love
A book worthy of a complete read. I took it with me on a recent flight. "The Tasting Club, I want to join!" the flight attendant said. I smiled, agreeing. What fun! Who wouldn't want to come to a tasting party. This book is filled with gorgeous photographs and plans for 10 kinds of tasting parties. A lot of us have enjoyed wine tastings, but who would have thought of a party tasting apples or honey or tea or balsamic vinegar. The book is clearly organized - each party has the information needed to put together a tasting - information about the food, "learn your palate" and even recipies to accompany the event. I couldn't wait for a tasing party to try Dina's hot chocolate - oh sooo delicious. You will love this book.

Buy two!
You'll love this book! Its both delicious and smart. If you're a novice to the dinner party, its a great alternative - a really fun spin on entertaining. I hope to attend future tastings because I've given this book as both a housewarming and bridal shower gift. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - General    4. Entertaining - General    5. Cooking / Entertaining   

Reviews (37)

Quite useful for the straight (or gay) man
Now first off, I have to get something off my chest. I am not a homophobe - I had a homosexual roommate sophomore year of college and we got along fine - but I get tired of people (most commonly women) who either drool at anything or anyone homosexual or having this belief that homosexuals are inherently good at anything involving home decor or style. I hate to break it to you, but homosexuals are like you and me, and not all are like the Fab Five. Remember my homosexual roommate? His side of the room was the messiest I have ever seen a human being make. The Fab Five would have had collective heart attacks upon seeing the state of it. By the logic of the homofangirls, I was the homosexual. Not to mention that half the things said in this book I have also read in "straight" men's magazines including "Men's Health" or the alternate "Men's Fitness." I'm sorry folks, but there's no Cult of Gays out there in brown robes meeting in caves and passing down tablets written by God that tell you what brand of shaving cream to use. The reason the Fab Five are so good at what they do is because they have had the training or education and DO know what they are talking about. For example, Thom Filicia founded an interior design company, and Kyan Douglas has had experience in professional and commercial salons.
Excellent
Fun format, visually appealing (of course!), useful information in all subjects, even some really delicious, simple-to-cook but impressive-to-serve recipes, and take it from a girl: what these guys say about what appeals to women (or turns us off) is absolutely true.Best of all, it's never about changing who or what the reader is, but about bringing out the best that's already in him.

Plenty of useful advise here!
Heard the taped version of QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY by Ted Allen et al. . . . I must admit to not being a big favorite of the TV show (of the same name); however, that said,
Read more

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - General    2. Conduct of life    3. Entertaining - General    4. Fashion & Grooming    5. General    6. Interior Design    7. Men    8. Men's Health    9. Personal Growth - General    10. Self-Help    11. Self-Help / General   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (7)

GREAT book!!!
I absolutely LOOOOVE this book. Not only is it beautiful, but the ideas are very easily implemented.
Shallow book like the author
There are better Christmas books on decorating and entertaining.

The most beautiful christmas book!
I can see this book is not new. It is to me, and I find is very inpirational! I use it every year for Christmas, for getting the house ready, for baking, for decorating and setting the tables, for ideas on how to use my plates, bowls and dishes in different ways, for altering things I already own into new settings - Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas decorations    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    9. Seasonal    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal   

Reviews (3)

More than just a holiday cookbook!
This is a GREAT book! It has many, many different and interesting recipes that are not the same-old, same-old holiday fare. The suggested menus and wine pairings make it simple and undaunting to throw together a small or large party. And I love that a lot of the recipes list make-ahead components. The recipes included in this book are ones you can enjoy all year round. Don't wait for a holiday to try them!

Many Wonderful Recipes
This book has many different takes on traditional holiday food plus many unique recipes that one might not usually consider when preparing their holiday feast. There is even a section that includes ideas for edible holiday gifts. I am a subscriber to Cooking Light magazine and own many of their other books, and the recipes never dissapoint. Everything I have made has been delicious. There are so many good recipes I had trouble narrowing down what recipes to make for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"Eat Smart, Be Fit, Live Well."
Lushly photographed and filled with stunning winter holiday recipes from breakfast and cocktail parties to the Big Events themselves, this cookbook features lighter versions of many old favorites and some great ideas for reducing the fat in your own recipes.Ingredient substitutions, decorating tips, make ahead meals, and even wine and food pairings are included, as the editors make the holidays a joyful time, foodwise, even for those on special diets.Clearly printed nutritional information appears with each recipe so that those on special diets, such as cardiac patients, can choose among the many selections.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Health & Healing - Low Fat    4. Holiday - General    5. Holiday cookery    6. Holidays - Christmas    7. Low-fat diet    8. Methods - Lite    9. Recipes   

Reviews (4)

GREAT COOKING IDEAS FOR PARTIES
This is a very practical book, fool of wonderful recipes. Very well written, simple to follow. I've only had a chance to try a couple so far, but with great success. Black and Orange Halloween Party for 24 was simple enough to do, and an instant hit. The Chocolate Chili with Beef, Pork, and Black Beans was to die for. I can't wait to try other dishes from this book. Highly recommend this cookbook.

Excellent treatment of neglected subject. Buy It.
`Cooking for a Crowd' by Susan Wyler has come out in a new, substantially larger edition, based on a volume originally published in 1988, and I, for one, am really happy to see it. Among all the various genres of cookbooks, those dedicated to cooking for large numbers of people are very difficult to find. Even many works on meals for entertaining only cover recipes for six to twelve. Of those books I have reviewed, the most notable exception is Martha Stewart's now classic original book, `Entertaining' which gives us recipes for 25 or more. As a dedicated viewer of the Food Network, I can also say with some authority that in all their programming for the last four years, I have seen but one show done on Tyler Florence's `Food 911' show which gives recipes for feeding a large crowd. Even otherwise excellent cookbooks such as David Waltuck's `Staffmeals' doesn't give us recipes for serving a large group of people, and I am sure he feeds a lot more than eight or twelve people at his restaurant's staff dinner. And, the only other book I have seen (the name escapes me, as I have not yet reviewed it) costs a whopping $60 retail for something no larger than the usual $35 Culinary Institute of America or `Cooks Illustrated' volume.
THE book about organizing fine dining for many!EXCELLENT!
I absolutely love this book.It is so practical, straight forward, and varied.Whenever I have more than six guests, I turn to this book for great ideas, and fantastic menus carefully planned out for any occasion, as well as any time constraint.Some recipes are complex, others simple, but always the directions are crystal clear.Susan Wyler understands the constraints and the schedule of the modern cook. I highly recommend the Slow Roasted Goose with Pork & Prune Dressing and Port Wine Sauce (I'm making this for Thanksgiving).Other outstanding dishes were the Lamb Shank Cassoulet, the Curried Ginger Carrot Soup, and African Peanut Butter Chicken Stew.And, by the way, I've found myself halving some of these recipes--you don't need a crowd to enjoy these great dishes.So far, each recipe I've tried came out perfectly, but I still have many to wade through.I'm almost looking forward to next Christmas dinner although my entire in-law family will be visiting, driving me crazy.That's how good this book is. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Menus    6. Methods - Quantity    7. Quantity cookery    8. Cooking / Entertaining   

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. General    6. Methods - General    7. Reference   

Reviews (17)

If You're Counting Points (WW), Take a Look....
I received my book last week, and I've made 2 meals from it so far. The first meal I attempted was little overcooked, so I submitted a question on the website. To my surprise, I received a response from the author herself. She gave me great tips to make my next attempt more sucessful.
Not your mother's crock-pot recipe!
I received this cookbook as a gift from a family member who lives in Denver, where the author lives. I guess that is where this method is most popular, but I wouldn't be surprised if it starts spreading like wildfire. As the mother of a very active toddler, I know first-hand how tough it is to get a healthy, tasty, and not-the-same-as-always meal on the table. I've had this cookbook for several months now and have tried many different recipes. I always add my own flair depending on what I have in the fridge and pantry, and that is the beauty of this method... you can make up your own meals without having to do special shopping but once (I highly recommend getting olive oil spray (Trader Joe's has a good one)to liberally coat your pot -- I do that and do not experience any of the burning that a few others have mentioned in their reviews).
Great wedding gift!!
I received this cookbook and a Dutch oven as a wedding gift last year! It has been amazing because we didn't really know how to cook before. My husband and I have made and enjoyedMANY One Pot meals - both recipes from the book and our own creations - and we've never experienced anything like the previous writer described. In the book it's very clear that you can control how spicy or non-spicy your meal can be, and it's so easy to adjust the recipes to your own tastes. If anything, I'm surprised the writer didn't contact the author directly through her website because I have found her to be responsive and helpful in walking me through the method.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Entertaining - General