Editorial Review

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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.
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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.
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Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Entertaining - General   

Editorial Review

Emeril Lagasse needs no introduction. TV chef par excellence, and author of eight other cookbooks, he's become something of a one-man industry. Read more

Reviews (13)

Emeril Rocks
Excellent book. Easy to follow recipes that make comfort foods a pleasure to prepare; and of course to eat.

My most favorite cookbook - BAM!
I've always hated potluck occasions because I never knew what to bring.I've been to too many such occasions where the menu ended up being mostly deserts.So being a fan of Emeril's, I decided to give this book a try, and man, I'm glad I did.Everything I've made from it has been wonderful and well-praised.My husband's and my favorite recipe has to be the antipasto pasta salad.It whips up quick, so we often eat it for dinner.I spent several hours on Christmas Eve putting together a Breakfast caserolle for Christmas morning, and despite the prep time, I was still glad I made it because it was wonderful, and I learned to do something new.
Great book
I've always been a fan of Emeril. This book has some great recipes. Keep in mind they are for a crowd. All the recipes I have tried so far were a huge hit.
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Subjects:  1. Buffets (Cookery)    2. Casserole cookery    3. Cookery, American    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Courses & Dishes - General    7. Entertaining - General    8. General    9. Cooking / Entertaining   

Reviews (14)

The perfect holiday book
I bought this book when I first discovered Susan Branch books. I loved it so much I gave it to all my sisters and sisters-in-law. They have all used it as a reference during the holidays and even through out the year.I have given this book to so many others as well and they all love the book. I can only state that this book stands up with all the Susan Branch products and is wonderful and so useful.

A Wonderful Gift!
This book is so charming!I received it as a gift from a dear friend many years ago and I re-read it every Christmas!Recipes, ideas, and holiday thoughts pulled together with Susan Branch's truly unique artistry make this a favorite.

A beautiful holiday treasure!
No matter what else is going on, this book is a wonderful holiday "pick-me-up".You will feel instantly more "Christmasy" after looking through it.I keep it on my coffee table throughout the holiday season.Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas decorations    3. Cookery    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Entertaining    7. General    8. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    9. Reference    10. Christmas books    11. Cooking / Reference    12. General cookery    13. Handicrafts   

Reviews (6)

For Applebee's
I felt that this book was way to basic to be beneficial. It would make a good book to give to someone just hired at Applebee's with no serving experience. I would not recommend it to anyone with experience in the food service industry.

Nothing New
Tired and done. I didn't buy this book to get the same info found in so many other books.Also some conflicting info in varying chapters whendealing with a particular topic.

Fair job but falls short
Covers the basics of dealing with restaurant staff, but misses answering some basic questions on training.How and when should a waiter clear a table? When do you refill drinks and coffee? Frustrating oversights like these make this otherwise decent,if pricey, guide to running a restaurant a worthwhile book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. General    5. In-service training    6. Table service    7. Tablesetting    8. Training    9. Waiters    10. Waitresses    11. Waiters and waitresses   

Reviews (16)

Serious Fans Only
I say serious fans only because these recipes are almost universally too time consuming and difficult for the average--or even advanced--home cook. If you're someone who seriously loves Emeril Lagasse, then you might want this book since his personality is stamped into it and it does have charm and some nice illustrations of delicious-looking dishes, but what I said up there stands: this is for show, not real life use. Without a lot of experienced help, you're not going to be able to create most of theitems featured in here, and isn't a cookbook supposed to be about fixing the foods listed within it?

Greatvariety of recipes
We userecipes weekly from this book. There are many varieties of recipes that appeal to our family. Emeril makes it fun to cook, not only fun, but great to taste.

I need an army of kitchen staff
Boy, it was not easy to follow the recipes.Keep in mind that Emeril has an army of kitchen staff to do the prep work and the cleaning afterwards. I worked as a chef before and I found thebook too far fetched for a home kitchen.I also agree with other reviewers that it's not a pretty book to display. ... Read more

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

Reviews (5)

Easy and Delicious
This cookbook is easy to follow, offers a variety of breakfast and brunch items.The pictures are a plus!I highly recommend this book for those of you who love Sunday morning feasts.

Great
The Culinary Institute of America presents "Breakfasts and Brunches"!The world-renowned culinary college with numerous cookbooks under the belt has now tackled my favorite meal(s): breakfast and brunch!
www.valderbeebeshow.com
Sunday morning brunch has been a part of my marriage for almost twenty years, and Breakfast and Brunches brings new energy to the meals we create.Be inspired by Crepes Suzettes (p.130) or Banana Nut Loaf (p.47).Start new traditions for breakfast and brunch! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Breakfasts    2. Cookery, American    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Breakfast    6. Courses & Dishes - Brunch    7. General    8. General cookery   

Reviews (4)

An Especially Good book for Entertaining. Great ideas!
`Rose's Celebrations' by noted author of authoritative `Bibles' on baking cakes, pastries, and bread, Rose Levy Beranbaum has all the appearances of a `throwaway book, given its picture laden cover, oversized format, and the author's aforementioned expertise in baking rather than in savory cooking.
Roses Celebrations
The photography is spectacular as always with Roses books. I just made my first recipe from the book: Lavender Ice Cream on pg93 and came across a discrepancy that I hope does not echo throughout the entire tome. The firstone is the fact that you're to use a SMALL saucepan and stir the yolks(5.25 ozs), part of the sugar and salt and add 32 ozs. of hot cream/milk tothis mixture. A small saucepan is usually 1 qt to 1-1/2 qts and too smallfor a recipe this size. In addition, the lavender does not get strained asis shown in the photo.In terms of visuals and texture, it doesn't gethigh marks,although the flavor is absolutely heavenly.I would suggeststeeping the lavender in the hot cream/milk, making the creme anglaise andthen straining the entire thing. Since this is my first recipe, it would beunfair to rate all the recipes as problematic. The recipes do seem verygood.

one of my favorite cookbooks
This is a colorful, well-illustrated cookbook with recipes for many kinds of celebrations.The recipes I've tried work well and are delicious, and the author's obsessively detailed style makes it easy to follow herrecipes.It is worth trying to find this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - Party Planning    5. Holiday    6. Holiday cookery   

Editorial Review

Michael Chiarello is the real thing--a nice guy and a great cook, enviably telegenic, and privileged to live in the Napa Valley, northern California's Eden, where he's surrounded by the best raw ingredients and the most enthusiastic dinner guests on the subcontinent. On top of all that, he's absolutely generous about sharing his secrets--and his pleasures--with the rest of us, delivering a warm and inviting new world to the home kitchen.Read more

Reviews (7)

Just Buy It!
We are serious foodies and particularly love all regional Italian cooking.Admit we are bit skeptical of Italian American recipes but after watching MC on TV (finally got a Food Channel on satellite here in Australia) decided to invest in the book.It is brilliant - every recipes tried has scored a "do again"and the pantry items are great. Even a beginner can follow the recipes and experienced cooks will appreciate the layers of flavour that MC is always talking about.Buy this book - you won't be sorry! Off to buy his latest now....

Outstanding!!!
I bought this book because of the lemon rosemary chicken I saw Michael prepare on the Food Network. I made it myself and it was just as good as I imagined. The recipes are easy to prepare and every one that I have tried, I have loved.

Love the Napa Style
Michael Chiarello's Napa Style cooking show is one of my top rated cooking shows, and when I discovered his new, you too can cook his down to earth recipes, I just had to have this cookbook.The cook book is very self explanatary, the recipes succinct and the pictures make it all seem so easy.Michael's Napa Style is extremely refreshing in today's lifestyle. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. California style    2. Cookery, American    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - General    6. Entertaining - General    7. General    8. Cooking / Courses & Dishes / General    9. General cookery   

Reviews (25)

The smoking lamp is lit!
As I'm fond of telling whoever will listen, I never touched alcohol until I went to seminary.Cigars are an even more recently acquired vice.My older brother got me into Macanudos, and since then I've enjoyed Avos, Buteras, and Arturo Fuentes.I'm even a regular at a Portland cigar bar, where I unwind after a long workweek with tawny port, long stogie, and a good book.I've learned enough about cigars to be dangerous, so I wanted a more formal knowledge base about them.Therefore, I decided to pick up this guide.
A review from Leuven
For someone like me who's just a beginer in the world of cigar it's a very useful book, with lot's of interesting stuff.
excellent place to start
very informative and easy to read.gives a lot of useful information for the beginning smoker.has a lot of money saving ideas and covers all the bases. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cigars    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - General    4. Reference    5. Crafts & Hobbies / General    6. Food & Drink / Cookery    7. Hobbies, Quizzes & Games    8. Antiques & Collectibles    9. Entertaining    10. Tobacco-Related   

Editorial Review

If you consider eating with friends and family a joyful, indulgent celebration chances are you love a good feast. And who better to carefully guide you through the daunting task of preparing that Read more

Reviews (31)

FeastFood to Celebrate Life
One of the best cookbooks I ever bougth. It's like a hobbie in itself. I plan to try a different receipe every weekend with great results!.

"Feast" gives great inspiration for celebrating life!
In her fifth cookery book, "Feast", Nigella Lawson offers a collection of recipes and occasions to mark our lives. It is her experience that "food is the vital way we celebrate anything that matters" (vii). Before us, then, is a book replete with recipes new and familiar to mark occasions traditional (Christmas, New Year, Easter), foreign (at least from my ethnocentric perspective: Venetian, Eid, and Rosh Hashanah), and fun (Valentine's Day, Breakfast, and Midnight). A feast is not just a meal; it is a condition of an innate human need to mark an event or occasion with those to whom we have a close bond by augmenting it with food.
Anything by Nigella is great!!
This was the first book I bought by Nigella Lawson and I loved it so much that I immediately bought every other book by her that I could find.The recipes are great and most of them are very easy to prepare.Besides that, the book is joy to just sit down and read, as are all her books!!!I also should mention all the gorgeous photographs of the food.You'll love this book!! ... Read more

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

Subjects:  1. Appetizers    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Appetizers    6. Entertaining    7. Entertaining - General    8. Home Economics (General)    9. Cooking / Appetizers   

Reviews (2)

Addressing Flowers
Ron Morgan is an artist, an assemblage artist, who substitutes paint brushes and oils and canvases with living flowers and the components of still life. In this magnificently illustrated book Morgan shares his famous skills in the most congenial way, allowing us as viewer to appreciate his artworks by sharing the materials with which he works.
An enthusiastically recommended source of inspiration
In the Company of Flowers presents masterpieces of floral arrangement and table setting by legendary floral designer Ron Morgan. Over 180 full-color photographs on every page, some of them two-page spreads, reveal 60 unique table settings that incorporate flowers, fine silverware, and centerpieces into breathtaking examples of transient beauty. The photographs speak for themselves; In the Company of Flowers has very little text, aside from a few words by Ron Morgan, a synopsis of the materials and containers used for each table setting, and a handful of tips about caring for flowers. An enthusiastically recommended source of inspiration, and a restful work of wonder that invites the reader to simply page through its contents. Also highly recommended is Morgan's previous volume of centerpieces, "The Center of Attention".
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Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Flower Arranging    5. House & Home    6. Tablesetting    7. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (1)

Full of New Ideas!
I'm addicted to Christmas books & magazines, so I wasn't sure if I'd really find anything new or unique in this book.This is the first Gooseberry Patch book I've ever looked through, so I can't comment on how it compares with other G.P. editions, but I did find many cute and clever craft ideas and recipes that were new to me.One idea I plan to try is the Framed Hankie Card Holder that uses a wood frame and 3 Christmas-themed hankies to create pockets to hold received cards (sounds odd, but it's cute).Other ideas I liked for my home using red & white fabrics and holiday-themed tea towels include a Quilt, Tea Towel Gift Bags, Table Runner & Chair Back Covers.A clever gift for kids to make is a covered chip can filled with chocolate-dipped potato chips (the kind of chips that all have the same shape and line up in a tall can).Lots of snowflake-themed gifts, a few pet gifts, wrapping and card ideas.Plus, there are dozens of great, new recipes for food gifts, holiday meals and entertaining (hot drink mixes, decadent desserts, soups, and some new side dish combinations). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Decorating - General    6. Entertaining - General    7. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    8. Seasonal   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (10)

The best Betty Crocker cookbook yet.
This is a very beautiful cookbook. I love the photos in it. At the end of the book is recipes you can cook and make for gifts. Toward the front of the book is a "Olive Appetizer Tree" that would be great for parties.
Zero review...seller never sent the book
This book never came....we are still waiting for it. Can't review a book we don't have. We are hoping that Amazon will refund our money...way too much time has passed! We are very disappointed!
Mouthwatering Entertaining Delights!
Some of my friends give me strange looks for having a "Christmas" cookbook in my kitchen all year round, that is until they sample some of the things that I have made out of it! Many of the cookies in this book lend themselves particularly well to being assembled into food gifts for the holidays.
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Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    5. Holiday - General    6. Cooking / Holiday    7. General cookery   

Reviews (17)

Jaw Dropping Coffee Table Book
A treasure! Gorgeous photography on glossy paper; perfect gift or coffee table book. Easy recipes mixed with very do-able settings that create beauty in the extreme. Every page is special.

Visually stunning and an incredible resource
This book is absolutely amazing.Although I do not have all the resources as Ms. Roehm, the recipes are supurb, while the suggestions and ideas are easily adaptable to the smaller scale and your personal environment.If you are looking for a resource on interior design, think again...this is an entertaining guide.There are also lots of helpful hints regarding color usage and flower selection.This book is my new entertaining Bible!Step aside, Martha!

Nice recipes ...
I've only made a few of the recipes so far, but they turned out very nicely. In particular, the lemon-dill pasta will become a staple of mine from here on out.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Seasonal    7. Cooking / Entertaining    8. Etiquette & entertaining    9. General cookery   

Reviews (5)

Isn't for the party-giver who likes stress
REAL LIFE ENTERTAINING: EASY RECIPES AND UNCONVENTIONAL WISDOM isn't for the party-giver who likes stress: it advocates a more carefree method of throwing a party whether impromptu or planned way ahead, foregoing fancy plans for budget-conscious convenience. Techniques for entertaining pair easy yet elegant recipes with ideas for festive themes. Color pictures throughout enhance the displays.
Perfect for those intimidated by dinner parties
I throw a fair number of parties but struggle with how to enjoy them more.
I threw my first dinner party... for my parents!
I threw my first dinner party ever with this book... and somehow was crazy enough to invite my parents!
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - General    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Home Management    8. Methods - Quick & Easy    9. Quick and easy cookery    10. Cooking / Entertaining    11. Etiquette & entertaining    12. General cookery