Showing posts with label appetizers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label appetizers. Show all posts

Fine Cooking Appetizers: 200 Recipes for Small Bites with Big Flavor Review

Fine Cooking Appetizers: 200 Recipes for Small Bites with Big Flavor
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Fine Cooking Appetizers / 978-1-600-85330-2
I don't entertain much, so I'm not one for cooking lots of appetizers for parties, but I do like "bite size" recipes for storing and packing into family lunches and the like. If you're looking for an appetizer cookbook, this one definitely has a lot to offer: the recipes are intuitively organized, easy to understand, and well-formatted, and most of the recipes on offer show a corresponding finished picture. The ingredients lists are well-organized, and in multi-step recipes it's always clear which ingredients are used for each step of the process.
Of the 200 recipes on offer, a lot of them are multi-ingredient dishes that are sure to impress. I suppose this is a good thing if you are looking for new things to try and don't want more of the same old obvious stuff, but I can imagine that some of these dishes might be complicated enough to put off a lot of home chefs, and may be exotic-tasting enough to put off some of the guests. There's a strong overlap of traditional comfort food, though, such as the creamy fudge (with multiple flavor variations) and the triple-shot eggnog. The pictures themselves all look absolutely delicious, and combined with the stellar formatting, this cookbook is a joy to browse through.
As an appetizer cookbook, this one really stands out for variety - among the expected savory and tart fare, there are a lot of sweet flavors as well. I think a regular entertainer would get a great deal of use out of this book. For my purposes (lunch packings and varied dinner sides), the book is slightly less useful, but I was still able to find a lot of valuable recipes here, and I do recommend this highly to others.
NOTE: This review is based on a free Advance Review Copy of this book provided through NetGalley.
~ Ana Mardoll

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From simple to sophisticated, the 200 recipes in Fine Cooking Appetizers will get any party started. This latest collection of recipes from Fine Cooking features the best starters and small bites for any occasion, from holiday party to weeknight noshing. Like each issue of Fine Cooking, the delicious recipes are accompanied by time-saving tips, step-by-step techniques, and handy kitchen advice. In addition, fun cocktails, party menus, and entertaining tips will make this the only guide you need for year-round celebrations and get-togethers.

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The Book of Sauces, Vol. 2 Review

The Book of Sauces, Vol. 2
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Love this book! Easy to understand and follow directions. Great pictures! Pictures add a lot.

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Slurp: Drinks and Light Fare, All Day, All Night Review

Slurp: Drinks and Light Fare, All Day, All Night
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The best thing about this book is the stunning photography. It starts out with some basics talking about the various types of barware and garnishes. The book is then divided by the time of day. It gives recipe for non-alcoholic and alcoholic breakfast drinks and a couple of recipes of what would go with them food wise. It then goes on to cover lunch and dinner. The recipes are simple. There are a few recipes that I thought I might try. As far as a drink book goes, you get a lot more in an actual bar book. If all you want is just a sampling of drinks this book would be good for you.

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* Sip, savor, and satisfy your thirst for cool cocktails, silky smoothies, classic coffee drinks, tantalizing teas, and much more with Slurp.* A visual and gastronomic delight, this vivid and colorful cookbook presents both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks in detail, along with recipes for tasty appetizer pairings and tips on entertaining, as well as hangover remedies for "the day after."More than 100 recipes-from morning smoothies and energy drinks to afternoon thirst quenchers, evening cocktails, and aperitifs-are presented by the time of day they would best be served.* Breakfast: a Mimosa paired with Yogurt Muesli and Pears* Afternoon: Watermelon, Lime, and Lemongrass Juice with Chicken and Grapefruit Salad and Yogurt Dressing* Evening: a Flirtini alongside Scampi with Coriander and LimeIn addition to delicious drinks and mouthwatering morsels, Slurp features tips for creating a well-stocked bar, hosting a successful party, and making clever garnishes, like colorful ice cubes and homemade edible shot glasses made from cucumbers.

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Church Socials: 782 Delicious Recipes from Our Church Communities for All Your Special Celebrations Review

Church Socials: 782 Delicious Recipes from Our Church Communities for All Your Special Celebrations
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If you are looking for a book full of desserts, cakes, pies, this is for you! However, if you are looking for a book with main dish recipes to take to your church supper, don't waste your money.

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For all of your church-related special occasions, this cookbook—in the same easy-to-use format as the bestselling Church Suppers—includes hundreds of recipes for celebrating community and good eating. Potluck suppers, after-the-service brunches, dinners on the grounds, and bake sales are church events that bring out the best tried-and-true recipes home cooking has to offer. Church Socials brings together delicious recipes for all of these specials occasions— and for everyday meals too. Organized by event or occasion, Church Socials suggests recipes—and special menus—for church picnics, christenings, weddings, bake sales, tea after the service, and more. The dishes cover a wide range of classics from all regions as well as some brand-new finds that are sure to become must-serve treats in no time. Outstanding recipes include French Toast Casserole, Zucchini Potato Salad, Seven-Layer Salad, French Oven Beef Stew, Orange-Roasted Turkey Breast, Blueberry Peach Cobbler, Spicy Chiffon Cake, and Fresh No-Knead Never-Fail Bread. These treats are perfect for large gatherings as well as quiet evenings at home with family and friends. Full of helpful hints, including an entire section on cooking for a crowd, and featuring charming illustrations and anecdotes from contributing churches, Church Socials is the perfect addition to any home kitchen.

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Martha Stewart's Healthy Quick Cook Review

Martha Stewart's Healthy Quick Cook
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Typical to a Martha enterprise, this book is well-conceived, thoughtful, and gorgeously produced. It contains a wide variety of meals, arranged according to season. This concept allows the cook to find recipes for foods that are fresh in the market and make the most of what is in peak flavor. The recipes include familiar dishes with new twists and unique dishes that tempt. Unfortunately, the recipes seem not to have been tested adequately, as sometimes the amounts were off or the cooking times were wrong. This seems to be a problem in some of the recipes presented in the Martha Stewart Living magazine. Also, ... not all of these dishes are exactly quick. The criticism about underseasoning in the dishes is valid; final products were at times quite bland. In a cookbook de-emphasizing fats, use of herbs, spices, and seasonings becomes important. For an experienced cook with a critical eye, this may be a source for ideas. ...

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Perfect Party Food: All the Recipes and Tips You'll Ever Need for Stress-Free Entertaining from the Diva of Do-Ahead Review

Perfect Party Food: All the Recipes and Tips You'll Ever Need for Stress-Free Entertaining from the Diva of Do-Ahead
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It's not necessary to read Phillips' party-planner introduction, but you may find it steadying, even reassuring with its calm, well-organized timeline, lists and tips. The book's easy-on-the-eyes graphic design allows for quick browsing and the color-coded highlights and eye-catching symbols continue on through the recipes. An appendix includes mail-order sources and "stress-free" menus for all occasions.
Recipes provide 10 to 12 servings, and all have at least some elements (even if it's only salad dressing or sauce) to prepare in advance. Phillips provides a table for multiplying recipes for larger parties, a list of essential tools and pantry items and an entertaining primer for rescuing disasters, from lumpy sauce to too many guests. She even gives her email for last minute disaster aversion.
Brief intros to each dish suggest variations and describe the dish's character. Step-by-step instructions pause at "do-ahead" points, and give instructions for how, and how long, to store, be it a few hours, days, or even months.

From drinks (Mulled Wine, Margaritas) through appetizers (Marinated Shrimp, Pigs in a Blanket) salads (Marinated Orange, Chicken Waldorf), sides (Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta, Wild Mushroom Rice), poultry (Tarragon Sesame, Oven Fried, French Farmhouse), seafood (Pesto-Crusted Fillets, New England Clam Pie, Seafood Gumbo), meat (Braised Beef in Cabernet Sauvignon, Swedish Meatballs, Pulled Pork Barbecue), to dessert (Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake, Chocolate Truffles), Phillips emphasizes accessibility, be it sit-down elegant or grazing casual.
A versatile sauce chapter, from Cilantro Pesto to Quick Berry, offers a choice of serving suggestions and Phillips ("The Perfect Mix") also includes chapters for breakfast and lunch. Thoroughly unintimidating and full of useful advice beyond food preparation, this is a practical, comforting guide to making entertaining a pleasure.
- Portsmouth Herald

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The Big Book of Appetizers: More Than 250 Recipes for Any Occasion Review

The Big Book of Appetizers: More Than 250 Recipes for Any Occasion
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I've never written are view for any website, but I felt I needed to compliment the authors of this book. First of all, I am a regular guy, who likes to entertain a lot along with my wife. I always grilled dinner, sampled some wine or beer, and avoided making appetizers. But we heard about this book from a friend and decided to give it a try.
Some of the recipes are easy to prepare, some a bit more sophisticated, but so far the results have all been a big hit.
Best of all, the recipes were easy enough to follow even for morons like myself and our gang!
Congrats to the authors, and if anybody likes to entertain a lot this book is invaluable!

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Appetizers For Dummies Review

Appetizers For Dummies
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This is a great little book, even if it is for Dummies! So many easy recipes that can be dressed up or down. I would recommend it to anyone.
Vicki

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First impressions count, and nothing makes a better first impression on dinner guests than those delectable little nibbles that you set out before the main course. And you don't have to limit yourself to serving appetizers at the beginning of a meal. Appetizers are first and foremost about entertaining. They set the tone and the mood of an occasion, whether it's a formal dinner, an intimate get-together, or a big birthday bash. And, best of all, the cooking times are short, the ingredients are simple to find (mostly), and it's easy to make a few different recipes at the same time so you can impress your guests with a festive assortment.
In Appetizers For Dummies, celebrity chef, Dede Wilson shows you how to make foolproof recipes for 75 mouthwatering, bite-sized wonders—ranging from an Italian-inspired antipasto to a classic shrimp cocktail. Step-by-step, she fills you in on everything you need to know to:
Impress your guests with delicious finger food and first courses
Whip up everything from the classics to original, exotic, and offbeat appetizers
Plan parties with theme menus that will get rave reviews from your guests
Experiment with flavors and international cuisines

Whether you're looking for general ideas about designing appetizer menus or helpful lists of conventional ingredients, it's all here. Among other things, you'll discover:
Helpful lists of pantry ingredients and how to use them to make appetizers almost instantly
Ready-to-go menus for all occasions
Recipes for munchies that can be eaten by the handful, as well as recipes for traditional favorites like deviled eggs and crab cakes
How to expand your culinary horizons with tea sandwiches, quesadillas, puff pastries, tartlets, muffins, biscuits, and dozens of ethnic recipes
Plated recipes for formal occasions, including artichokes with vinaigrette, smoked salmon, caviar, foie gras, and more

Whether you're new to the world of appetizers or you've been delighting guests with your famous finger foods and hors d'oeuvres for years, Appetizers For Dummies is the ultimate guide to spicing up any gathering with delicious mini culinary creations.

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Great Party Dips Review

Great Party Dips
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I purchased Peggy Fallon's dip book several months ago, and those mouth watering pictures have been calling out to me. But, I just tried my first recipe this morning. I'm on my way to a brunch and I made the Chocolate Velvet Dip to share with the group. Although writing this will probably make me late, I had to stop at my computer to say-----Easy-Delicious-Beautiful !!!!!-----Can't wait to try another one.

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Dips are the perfect party foods, and this full-color cookbook gives you more than 60 recipes that will add pizzazz to any party?cool dips, hot dips, salsas, spreads, p?t?s, and even recipes for dessert dips. You?ll find recipes for all your favorites, each with a special twist, as well as lots of new and exciting choices like Rockin? Moroccan Salsa, Artichoke-Asiago Dip with Lemon, and Deviled Shrimp with Bacon.

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Finnish Touches: Recipes & Traditions Review

Finnish Touches: Recipes and Traditions
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Now in a revised and expanded edition, Finnish Touches: Recipes And Traditions blends Finnish traditions and lore with mouth-watering recipes. The first half of Finish Touches is devoted to engaging anecdotes, thoughts, and introductions to beloved Finnish cultural icons such as the sauna. The second half proves authentic Finnish cuisine ranging from Kaljakeitto (Finnish Beer Cheese Soup); Klimpit (Finnish Dumplings); and Rieska (Finnish Flat Barley Bread); to Sillisalaatti (Herring Salad); Lammasmuhennos (Finnish Simmered Lamb); and Illmapuuro (Finnish Air Pudding). Color and black-and-white photographs enhance this joyous and highly recommended celebration of Finnish cultural and culinary heritage.

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This book updates and adds new essays, photos, information, and recipes to the content of our popular 80-page Fantastically Finnish. Now 160 pages, this book presents a concise history and reference to Finland today as well as discovers more Finns in the United States and Canada. Joanne Asala tells about searching for her Finnish heritage, with tips for resources. There are reprints from Inkeri Väänänen-Jensen's Inkeri's Journey that speaks to growing up Finnish on Minnesota's Iron Range and Finnish foods. Recipes have been added to the food section, and there are 16 pages of color photographs.

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Best of the Best from Big Sky Cookbook: Selected Recipes from the Favorite Cookbooks of Montana and Wyoming (Best of the Best Cookbook Series) Review

Best of the Best from Big Sky Cookbook: Selected Recipes from the Favorite Cookbooks of Montana and Wyoming (Best of the Best Cookbook Series)
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Interesting and nostalgic. I love to look at cookbooks and found this book worth keeping. Good idea to preserve recipes from across our country. I appreciate the number of cookbooks it took to make the selections.

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The Barcelona Cookbook: A Celebration of Food, Wine, and Life Review

The Barcelona Cookbook: A Celebration of Food, Wine, and Life
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We (my wife and I) collect cookbooks for many reasons, but you know you've hit the jackpot when a certain book is simultaneously fun to read with great stories; sprinkled with useful tips and hints throughout; contains photos that make you want to pluck the food off the pages to eat; inspires you; and, oh by the way, is full of delicious recipes that do not require a degree from Le Cordon Bleu or the Culinary Institute of America to prepare.
First and foremost, we think for a cookbook to deserve a decent rating, the recipes have to work. Everything we've tried has been scrumptious thus far. Each recipe is well laid out, starting with a short introduction on the dish. Ingredients for the recipe follow and are listed logically. Easy to understand steps that make sense for any average home cook follow the ingredients.
If your mouth is not watering by the time you're done reading the recipe for "Sherry-Braised Short Ribs with Autumn Vegetables" that starts on page 95, you may not have a pulse. Even someone who can barely boil water should be able to follow the recipe for "Albondigas" (Spanish for meatballs in tomato sauce) on page 110 and easily make succulent meatballs worthy of serving to any guest. The "Roasted Beets with Cabrales and Toasted Walnuts" cold tapas on page 31 is simplicity itself, but with a "secret" trick (using a certain type of vinegar to accentuate the beets) that make the dish transcendent. I could go on and on and on.
Beyond the well laid out recipes that work, the anecdotes in the book such as "The Meat Guy" (starting on page 158) are amusing and fun to read. We don't know this meat guy, Mark Berlin, but after reading about him, we know we want to meet him someday and get our meat from him.
Whether you cook or not, if you love food, this is a great book and a must have!

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Fast & Fabulous Party Foods and Appetizers (Best of the Best) (Best of the Best Cookbook) Review

Fast and Fabulous Party Foods and Appetizers (Best of the Best) (Best of the Best Cookbook)
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This book contains hundreds of good party and appetizer ideas. I love how it has pre-planned menus for baby showers, birthdays, superbowl, ect. Great recipe book for the price. The only thing I would add is color photos of some of the dishes.

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Sips & Apps: Classic and Contemporary Recipes for Cocktails and Appetizers Review

Sips and Apps: Classic and Contemporary Recipes for Cocktails and Appetizers
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I love this book...received it as a gift and now have purchased it for a friend and my brother for his 50th birthday. Recommends glass selection, many tips and very fun to make very interesting cocktails and appetizers. I will continue to buy it for other gifts!

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When it comes to cocktails and appetizers, chef Kathy Casey is an expert at balancing flavors and textures. Sips & Apps has 100 recipes that include not only classics like the Martini and Manhattan but also creative new concoctions like the Douglas Fir Sparkletini and the Blue Thai Mojito. Appetizers include simple finger foods like Roasted Pear Crostini with Gorgonzola and ChaCha Cashews and more substantial treats like Asian Shrimp Cakes with Sweet Chili Sauce. Lots of info on stocking a home bar and plenty of techniques and extras (like a nifty double ribbon marker labeled "sips" and "apps") make it easy to match up the right sip with the right app.

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Small Parties: More than 100 Recipes for Intimate Gatherings Review

Small Parties: More than 100 Recipes for Intimate Gatherings
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I LOVE this book! I had a small party last night and made dishes exclusively from "Small Parties". It was a huge hit! I made the baby potatoes w/crab meat stuffing appetizer, tortellini in asparagus gorgonzola cream sauce, chicken under a brick w/garlic caper sauce and the wild mushroom, sage and red wine risotto with the coconut-dusted white chocolate strawberries and berry napoleans for dessert. Everything was delicious! Biggest accomplishment- even the kids enjoyed each dish, especially the coconut dusted strawberries eating all of them. I'd never cooked with a brick before (chicken under a brick w/garlic caper sauce), it worked beautifully! I throw parties often and I'll use this book again and again.

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