Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
OK, so your life is complicated. Whose isn't? Donata Maggipinto thinks that most people would entertain more often if they knew how to do it simply. Real-Life Entertaining shows how to put forth the effort required to make guests comfortable and happy without the usual pressure-cooker effect on the hosts. Her four seasonal menus in the "Casual Suppers" section are truly casual yet stylish (for example, the easy-to-prepare pumpkin chowder is presented in small hollowed-out pumpkins), and the four "Big-Deal Meals," while relying on slightly more sophisticated ingredients and presentation, are still doable by intermediate cooks. Each section has additional recipes beyond the four menus, special style notes, and primer pages. Maggipinto's style is friendly--it's OK to serve food you bought as take-out, let the guests help with the dishes, and even serve on TV trays if there's something very special on the tube. There are plenty of Martha Stewart-style suggestions for those who are looking for "extra credit," but for the majority of us, who just want things to be "good enough," this book helps.
Book Description
An impromptu supper for six close friends. Thanksgiving for the extended family. A weekday afterwork dinner for colleagues. If orchestrating events like these seems at odds with your hectic lifestyle, if the challenge of getting food on the table and presenting it with style makes you want to reach for the takeout menu, take heart--help is at hand.
Enter Donata Maggipinto, Williams-Sonoma's food and entertaining mastermind and a nationally recognized authority on festive fare, stunning settings, and the art of having fun. Donata knows that no matter how fast-paced our lives are, we all want to share our homes and our tables with family and friends. But no one wants to spend the evening in the kitchen spinning feats of culinary virtuosity when they could be spending time with their guests. With wit and wisdom, Real-Life Entertaining proves that it is possible to create memorable affairs with minimal stress.
Donata offers enticing menus and recipes to suit every entertaining occasion, from Casual Suppers to Big Deal Meals to Parties. All are simple to prepare yet offer the stylish touches that make a meal special. Style Notes offer advice on every aspect of entertaining, from setting the outdoor table to serving a cheese course and creating simple floral arrangements. Especially useful for those with more taste than time are sections on stocking the party pantry and Ways with Take Away, ideas for transforming prepared foods into party fare.
Packed with glorious color photographs and ideas for creating events that reflect your personal style, Real-Life Entertaining will help even the busiest people make entertaining a fun part of their lives.
Real-Life Entertaining is a cookbook and style guide for the way we live today. Real-life entertaining does not require a lot of time, a battery of full-time help, or exceptional talent; all you need is an enthusiastic attitude and a desire to share your home and hospitality with others. It's all about having fun!
Real-Life Entertaining
Real-Life Entertaining,Donata Maggipinto,Clarkson Potter,0609601113,Cookery,Cooking,Entertaining,Menus,Methods - Quick & Easy,Cooking / Quick & Easy
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