Reviews (7)

Unusual Tablescapes w/ some good-looking "modified for quickness" recipes
Not sure why I picked this up from the library, we don't really do a lot of entertaining, just family. I DID enjoy looking through this book which had some very interesting and pretty tablescapes. I was surprised about the recipes but some of them actually sound good. I plan on trying them, maybe not for guests, but just because I am always looking for quick recipes. Like another reader said, if you want the real deal, there are great cookbooks out there. Christopher is not a chef!
Give me a break!
With all the wonderful books on the market on entertaining, we have to be subjected to this egomaniac on every page, food out of a can and horrible table designs.Too over the top, too gaudy and waaaayyy too centered on someone who has seen better days.Don't waste your money.
GREAT recipes, "tablescapes" overdone....
I liked both the recipes and his "party notes" at the beginning of the book--a lot of useful information. The recipes are a good compromise between cooking gourmet and just bringing something from the Costco Deli Section style of entertaining.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. House & Home    8. Menus    9. Tablesetting    10. Cooking / Entertaining    11. Etiquette & entertaining    12. General cookery   

Reviews (3)

Disappointed
The best thing about this cookbook is that the quantities of ingredients are all set.You don't need to double or triple the recipe.I bought this cookbook especially for today b/c I was in charge of preparing a lunch for 20 people as part of an all day workshop at work.I made the cream of broccoli soup, the black bean soup, and the greek salad pitas.The only recipe I would make again would be the greek salad - which was wonderful.The cream of broccoli soup was so bland that I was desparately tried to fix it.What saved me was that I created a red pepper pesto type paste to add to each bowl.Without it, I didn't even want to serve the soup.The black bean soup lacked luster as well.I was not proud to serve either soup.Like I mentioned earlier the large quantitiy recipes made grocery shopping and preparation easy.But who cares if it is easy to make mediocre soups - no thanx.I am disappointed in Moosewood.Also I specifically chose two soup recipes that the cookbook raved about as 'a time-honored favorite' and 'one of the most poplular'.

Healthy Cooking Vegetarian Style!
This is the ultimate book on cooking vegeterian entrees.It's based on volume but don't let that scare you away.With a few simple reductions you are on your way to preapring some of the most mouth watering, vegetarianitems from the tried and true recipes of the Moosewood Restaurant. Worthwhile Investment
I originally bought this book for the kitchen at our organic farm, where we regularly feed >15 people a day. After reading it myself, I wanted a copy for home too. Anyone who's vegetarian will need to cook in quantity atsome point (dinner parties, etc.), and this book makes it easy to do so. Nomore multiplying like crazy and ending up with haphazard results. I alsoliked that the ingredients were given by weight, which makes it much easierto measure out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery (Natural foods)    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Quantity cookery    6. Vegetarian - General    7. Vegetarian cookery    8. Cooking / Vegetarian    9. General cookery    10. National & regional cuisine    11. USA   

Features

• Box set

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Reference   

Reviews (1)

Delicious bites for every occasion
Do you like entertaining? If you do than you'll enjoy this book. It is full of ideas as to what to serve for friends who come for afternoon tea, snacks for friends who drop by to say hello, the mouthwatering recipes for your guests who come for cocktails and the stylish appetizers for dinner parties. The recipes are easy to follow and the attractive photos guide you as to how the end result should be. Most of the recipes in this book are Asian influenced with some Mediterranean twists and the presentation styles used are minimalist. It is a perfect guide for chic and effortless entertaining. The recipe for herbed pancakes with pear and blue cheese topping is simply delicious. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Appetizers    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Appetizers    6. Entertaining - General    7. Sale Books   

Reviews (2)

Sure to provide new interest.
GOOD DAY FOR A PICNIC SIMPLE FOOD THAT TRAVELS WELL goes beyond the standard picnic fare to provide new recipe ideas for the park, backyard and beyond. Over a hundred such recipes cover everything from drinks to sandwiches, entrees and desserts, and provide easily-prepared dishes which are just as easily transported to be served later. Crisp Green Beans in Jalapeno Oil, Ham and Swiss Cheese Biscuits, and Barbecue Shredded Pork are only some of the dishes sure to provide new interest.
another lovely, lovely book from Jeremy Jackson
This book inspired my husband and I to have a picnic on Mother's Day - tablecloth on the picnic table underneath the oak tree, portable radio playing tinny-sounding oldies on the AM dial.What a perfect brunch. We started with Jackson's "Champagne Punch #5" and later had the delicate and scrumptious "Crepes w/Swiss Chard & Golden Raisins."I'm making his "Rhubarb Custard Tart" next, which looks really delicious -- even though, as he says, food tastes a little better when you're outside, I'm sure this is going to taste pretty darn good when I eat it in the house as well.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Methods - Outdoor    6. Picnicking    7. Regional & Ethnic - American - General    8. Cooking / Outdoor   

Reviews (10)

I liked it
I had to buy this book for my Quantity Foods course as a part of my Dietetics major. I actually liked the book, and I am going to keep it for later use. I thought the book was organized very well. Some of the charts in Chapter 2 and 5 that we used quite often were a little hard to find (because there are so many!).
Wow!!! A must have for all chefs
I had seen this book at a friends business and thought it was good.Since I have ordered and received it I have had the chance to really review the contents and find it one book that I can use daily.The CD rom is also fantastic in the number of recipes it contains.One nice feature is that you can size the recipes to what you need.Another great plus.Well worth the money. Tom Elliott, CEC

Food For Fifty
Very well written book, leaves nothing for the mind to question,I would highly recomend this book! ... Read more

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

Reviews (9)

Good book but run by advertising
I just pinned down a wedding venue, and I found this book helpful, with a few caveats.Firstly, brides-to-be should know that every venue in the book must pay "Here Comes the Guide" to be included.This engenders a lack of objectivity for the writers judging these locations.I am a travel writer myself so I felt a litle cheated by not having access to a trustworthy critical eye in the site reviews.Secondly, I was frustrated with the lack of photographs and felt the "Here Comes the Guide" website was much more helpful in this regard.All the locations in the book are online, and it's free there.
The Book that Saved My Wedding
I absolutely dreaded planning my wedding and this book was the only thing that saved my fiance and I from spiraling into madness. We are both from the East Coast, relatively new to the Bay area, and had no family here to help us. Neither one of us had ever been married before or helped plan a wedding. Here Comes the Guide was the single most useful tool for planning our wedding, and is reliable enough that we didn't feel the need to interview a ridiculous number of vendors for each service before choosing one. If a vendor we liked was recommended by the book then we knew they had to be good. Here Comes the Guide is concise, recommends cool traditional and non-traditional reception sites, and provides all of the information you need to plan your own wedding without the help of a wedding planner. The only area which was lacking was limousines and transportation. Pretty much everything else, including bands, calligraphy, invitations, cakes, vendors, tuxedos, reception sites, and florists, was there in abundance.

A must have for all N. CA Brides
I was given this book as a gift soon after my engagement.At the time, I hadn't given much thought to where I wanted to hold the event.This book was a great help in finding several locations that were ideal.As the wedding market in Northern CA is rather busy, it was very nice to have several choices so that we could find a venue that was availible on our desired date.Read more

Subjects:  1. Directories    2. Entertaining - General    3. Marriage    4. Personal & Practical Guides    5. Quantity Food Production And Service    6. Reference    7. Weddings    8. Reference / Personal & Practical Guides   

Reviews (2)

Buy This Book Before Making A Business Decision, Ladies!
****
A Must read for beginners
I think this was a o.k book on the toy party industry and I recommend it to those starting out in the business and need some idea or base in which to start. I learned a few things from it but as you advanced and need more training and understanding a source I would recommend is [...] ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Entertaining - General    2. Home-based Businesses    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Popular Culture - General    5. Sexuality    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Psychology & Psychiatry / Human Sexuality    9. Small businesses & self-employed   

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Criticism    3. Entertaining - General   

Reviews (1)

Palate pleasing recipes without alot offuss
Caprial has written another inspiring cookbook this time with the addition of wine suggestions and entertaining ideas.Both help to make this latest cookbook one that you will reach for again and again.This book is aboutusing the freshestingredients and preparing the most delicious food.Therecipes will allow you and your guests to enjoy unique dishes but with aminimum of fuss. From appetizers to desserts Caprial has assembeled recipesthat let you enjoy the experience of cooking but still leave you with timeto enjoy your family and friends.Choose something new like the roastedpork loin with a rosemary balsamic glaze or something fun like corn dogs. It's all in this book from a chef who understands what food is meant to be. Enjoy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, American    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Pacific Northwest style    6. Regional & Ethnic - American - Western States   

Reviews (1)

A new approach to entertaining
Casual entertaining is what this is.There are some delicious meals that will impress your guests!The peach bread pudding in my husbands favorite.The crab cakes are a huge hit with any crowd, and the tomato salad isdelicious.A few items are time consuming but worth it.I think you willfind this cook book very helpful in sprucing up your next dinner party! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Methods - Quick & Easy    7. Regional & Ethnic - American - General    8. Regional & Ethnic - International   

Editorial Review

Susan Spungen, the founding food editor of Read more

Reviews (4)

Refresh Your Receipe Collection
Many flavorful and some simple to prepare meals for the new or bored cook who needs some fresh ideas. She includes excellent versions and variations on classics, The directions for food preparation are clear and complete.

Excellent Essays on Familiar Recipes, Beautifully Packaged
`RECIPES, a collection for the modern cook' by former `Martha Stewart Living' Editorial Director for food and entertaining, Susan Spungen is the answer to my question over what Miss Susan was doing with herself since her name disappeared from the `Martha Stewart Living' masthead. Miss Spungen was one of the very few `Martha Stewart' staffers who commonly appeared on `In Martha's Kitchen' when it ran on the Food Network before Ms. Martha went into the slammer. Since Ms. Spungen was obviously had talent in converting information about food into good magazine features, I expected her name to pop up somewheres. Well, here it is, as the author of a book with either the most unoriginal or the most clever of titles for a cookbook since Apicius.
It's a keeper, but ...get out your magnifying glass!
This book has received quite a bit of high praise (NY Times gave it a glowing review) and it's easy to understand why: the book itself is beautiful and the recipes are fresh, really delicious and not too complicated. It is readily apparent that Ms Spungen was once an employee of Martha Stewart, as aside from Martha penning the book's forward, you can see the "MS Esthetic" throughout the book. This unfortunately includes a typeface that is really too small and it makes the book a tough read. I assume that I'm like most people in that I read a recipe carefully (OK, sort of carefully) before cooking and then refer back to it a dozen times on the fly while in the kitchen. (And no, I'm not yet of an age where I need reading glasses!) But having to stop and fumble around until I can read detracts from all the book has to offer. That said, this is one of those cookbooks that makes a terrific wedding shower gift or housewarming gift to someone in their first apartment: the recipes will become workhorses in anyone's repertoire, but while you're at it buy them a magnifying glass too. ... Read more

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

Reviews (5)

A Favorite
I got this book when it was first published ten years ago and it continues to be one of my all-time favorite cooking and entertaining books.The recipes are simply wonderful -- favorites include the spicy shimp salsa, poached rolled chicken, checkerboard of roasted peppers with olives, capers, and anchovies, and the spinach and risotto casserole, now a standard in my side dish repertoire. I have made each of these many times and still need to try more of the recipes in the book. The photos with party and plating ideas have inspired much of my entertaining over the years -- from intimate family gatherings to parties of more than 100.I love to cook and entertain, and Colin Cowie's volume has become my bible.

Enjoy Life
Elegance without effort is what we need nowadays.

In a class of its own.
This book is beautiful to look at.The recipes are excellent as well.There are a broad range of dishes for a variety of occassions.I turn to this book for ideas every time I entertain.Even if I don't use a recipe from this book, I often find ideas that make special occassions that much more special.I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to entertain.One word of caution, all the recipes are for a large number of guests.The recipes are not for an intimate dinner party for four.I have successfully scaled some back though. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Decorating    4. Dinners and dining    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. General    8. Menus    9. Tablesetting   

Reviews (9)

CREATIVE & TASTY INSPIRATION
A beautiful book to inspire any party planning with out of this world recipes and easy to understand tips for decorating. Many ideas for elegant settings to simple elements with just the perfect menu to enhance each.Stunning photographs will get "your creative" juices flowing.Tutera's tips (Essentials,
Another Amazing Treat!
David is truly an amazing talent who can transform any idea into magnificent! I loved his first book and was so delighted to have book number two.His ideas are fresh, original and imaginative and the recipes are incredible too.If you are looking for the perfect party planning book, this is IT! David Tutera is magic!

MY ENTERTAINING SURVIVAL GUIDE
America Entertains was my holiday survival guide! The December in NYC Party gave me so many festive home decorating ideas and amazing recipes. My guests simply couldn't stop eating the Molasses Christmas Crinkles or drinking the Mistletoe Martinis.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - General    4. Entertaining - Party Planning    5. Parties    6. Regional & Ethnic - American - General    7. Cookery dishes & courses    8. Cooking / Entertaining    9. Etiquette & entertaining    10. National & regional cuisine    11. USA   

Reviews (1)

Cool
Cool party ideas, for young people living on the cheap. A lot of retro themes. This book is a feast for the eyes, because the photograhy is really well-done.
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Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - General    4. Entertaining - Party Planning    5. House & Home / Decorating   

Editorial Review

Like Julia Child, Jacques Pépin offers readers delectable French-based recipes while teaching vital, confidence-building techniques. Read more

Reviews (10)

Jacques Pepin's Greatest Hits. Familiar, but still Great
Jaques Pepin may be unique among American culinary figures, as he is both a widely recognized master chef who is also a leading culinary educator to both professionals at the French Culinary Institute and to laymen through many books and PBS series. He is also closely connected to American culinary aristocracy by association with Julia Child, Craig Claiborne, and Pierre Franey, with whom he worked for many years. One small sign of his renown is that when he happened to appear on the Rocco DiSpirito reality show, `The Restaurant', both Rocco and the executive chef of the restaurant literally fell over one another to show Jaques their regard for his work. Freedom
As a budding foodie, I have watched this excellent PBS series many times. This last run through I noticed something that completely freed my perfectionist cooking tendencies. It's just amazing watching Pepin at work. He's excellent but certainly not always precise or perfectionist. A little of this, a bit of that, or a pan a little too hot has all shown me that good cooking is like what a great artist told me once. "Being a good artist has nothing to do with perfection. It's just a long series of covering up your mistakes." Having the companion book to the series has helped me tremendously to lighten up and have fun. This book is filled with great recipes, many of which can be customized to your personal tastes. The photos are an excellent teaching tool and reference. Start with good quality ingredients, have everything prepared and ready to go, follow along in the book and have great time. This book has been worth every penny.

Wonderful bread recipes
After living overseas and in SanFranciso, I moved to the Southwest and was unable to buy the European breads I was used to eating; then I discovered this book. The bread recipes are very simple to prepare, and my family and friends just love them. If you love wonderful bread and don't have alot of time to bake, these are the recipes for you! ... Read more

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

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

Editorial Review

Donna Hay, Australia's bestselling cookbook author, understands our pain. The pain, that is, of producing delicious meals when time is tight and we really can't shop--again. Read more

Reviews (6)

Off The Shelf
A great find- this book offers reader's with limited time how to create great meals with a few ingredints and tasty too.
A wonderful cookbook even my boyfriend can use!
I honestly have considered giving away most of my other cookbooks, if not all of them after using "Off the Shelf". The recipes are simple and delicious. My boyfriend can even cook now!

Wonderful photos,easy meals
In keeping with Donna Hay's other books this has wonderful photos. It is so nice too look at one would buy it just to look at the photos or to display. However Donna does not let us down in regards to content. The recipes are simple enough to attempt yet interesing enough to taste great. It is organized in such a way that by choosing an item from your pantry you can create a meal.So those days when all you have left in the cupboard is pasta Donna can give you a new way to prepare it. I recommend this book for those of us who want to discover the soul of cooking. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - General    4. General    5. Methods - Quick & Easy    6. Quick and easy cookery    7. Regional & Ethnic - Australasian    8. Cooking / Quick & Easy   

Reviews (1)

'Hamptons Diet Cookbook' Excellent Source For Healthy Low-Carb Recipes
How DO the rich and famous always seem to stay so thin and healthy? With the exception of maybe Danny DeVito and Rodney Dangerfield, can you think of very many movie stars who are overweight or obese? Probably not. That's because they have found the secret to eating better quality foods that not only satisfy their tastebuds, but also their nutritional needs.
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Subjects:  1. American Regional Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Diet    5. Entertaining - General    6. Health & Healing - Weight Control    7. Regional & Ethnic - American - Middle Atlantic States    8. Weight loss    9. Cooking / Dietary    10. Food & Drink / Cookery    11. USA   

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Methods - Quick & Easy