Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Christmas cookery    3. Christmas decorations    4. Cookery    5. Cooking    6. Cooking / Wine    7. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    8. Seasonal    9. Cooking / Courses & Dishes / General   

Editorial Review

With the infectious enthusiasm of a kid on Christmas morning, Mario Batali--who presides over a culinary empire that includes the popular Food Network television show Read more

Reviews (6)

Fabulous cookbook on Italian holiday food
I was really surprised by this small cookbook.Now when I saw small, it means that it isn't your typical full sized cookbook with in excess of 200 pages, it is a nice hundred pages or so cookbook.Some wonderful features of this cookbook are the pictures, the wonderful recipes, and the text that is written with the recipes.
Lots of great recipes
I enjoy Mario Batali's quality work, both his interesting/funny TV shows and his interesting/beautiful books (the photographs are beautiful). Often when you buy quality Italian cookbooks with traditional recipes you get the feeling that it's been produced for professional chefs only. The recipes are too advanced and time consuming, and often require access to an Italian food market in order to get all ingredients. The recipes in this book range from uncomplicated to advanced but is "possible" for regular hobby chefs. Most of the ingredients are available at regular grocery stores. However, this doesn't mean that the food and all the dishes are too basic or uncomplicated; it's just that they are "within" reach for us regular guys. I'm sure that both hobby- and more advanced chefs also can appreciate and learn a lot from this book.

Classic Mario, just not enough to meet expectations
The very best thing about this book is that it is more of Mario Batali cooking Italian food. Once that is said, there are some things which are disappointing about this book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    4. Holiday cookery    5. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    6. Cooking / Italian   

Reviews (5)

Great book
I bought this book hoping that it would have some fresh ideas for my kids' class parties instead of the same old games and crafts we've been doing it seems year after year.I was worried that even if it had new ideas they might be too invovled/time-consuming for the hour and a half we typically have for the whole party.I was pleasantly surprised that this book had so many ideas to choose from that were original and fit into our limited time frame.I highly recommend this book.

Wonderful Book for Anyone Planning A Christmas Party
So you're planning a Christmas party, one where there will be fun and games, and lots and lots of kids. But where do you start? Well, first of all, purchase CHRISTMAS PARTIES...WHAT DO I DO? Wilhelminia Ripple has created the perfect book for anyone planning a Christmas party. Filled with over 125 wonderful ideas for crafts, games, and holiday snacks. Wilhelminia teaches you everything you need to know to throw the most fantastic Christmas party of the season, complete with instructions on how to create Elf Handprints, how to build an Edible Snowman, make a Human Christmas Tree, and much, much more. Whether you've thrown Christmas parties before or not, CHRISTMAS PARTIES...WHAT DO I DO? is the one thing you'll need to make your Christmas party better than anyone else's. A wonderful book that absolutely must be a part of your book collection.
Christmas Parties What Do I Do?Buy This Book!!
This book has Christmas Spirit on every page, with holiday games,crafts, and goodies from all around the world. It really brings out the child inside us all. With an added bonus of 13 pages for New Years Eve. I am a Parent and Day Care Provider, to me this book is as much a part of Christmas as the Tree. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Children's parties    3. Christmas    4. Cookery    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    9. Holiday - General    10. Holidays - Christmas    11. New Year    12. Religion    13. Seasonal    14. Christmas books    15. Parties   

Reviews (1)

Ooh, I just couldn't wait for this book!
Well, it finally was released.I was so excited to see that this book was on the way and I certainly haven't been disappointed.I just love all the decorating ideas in this book - my husband grabbed it and off he went to the store to buy the stuff it recommends.Sure was beautiful when he was done.This book makes decorating elegantly so very beautiful for the holidays, and it just gives you so many nice ideas.But, the RECIPES!Yikes!Better buy those elastic waisted pants because you'll need them after these awesome dishes.You know it's bad when you want to start with the first recipe and just make everything else afterwards.That's how it is with this book.It's really that good!You won't be disappointed with this book.I just love it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas cooking    3. Christmas decorations    4. Cookery    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Crafts & Hobbies    7. Decorating - General    8. Handicraft    9. Hobbies/Crafts    10. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    11. Interior Design    12. Seasonal    13. Southern States   

Editorial Review

Nobody knows the holidays like Martha Stewart, and here she gives you all the information you need to have a spectacular Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. Martha and her crew provide you with a hearty Thanksgiving feast featuring Quail with Brussels Sprouts and Shallots, Garlic Roast Potatoes, and Roast Fennel. Later she offers up a tasty but simple family breakfast for Christmas morning and a sumptuous Christmas dinner centered around a Loin of Venison with Red-Currant Bordelaise and Roast Capon with Wild Rice Sourdough Stuffing. The lower-key New Year's Eve dinner of five dishes may be more appealing to kitchen novices. Read more

Reviews (2)

Cookie Recipes are Perfect
My wife and I use the recipes in this magazine every Christmas.They come out perfect every time.

Looking for a way to make your holidays more elegant?
This offering from Martha Stewart provides a new, more elegant way to celebrate the holidays. The menus she presents are a refreshing departure from the traditional "turkey and dressing". Her decorating ideas are absolutely exquisite (a fact that did not go unnoticed by our guests). My friends and I enjoyed making the decorations and preparing the meal as much as our guests enjoyed looking at the decorations and eating! I only wish she had provided more decorating ideas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining    4. Holiday - General    5. Holiday cookery    6. Holiday decorations    7. Reference    8. Seasonal    9. Cooking / Seasonal   

Reviews (6)

A great guide
A friend recently opened a store and this book has acurately addressed some of the issues we are experiencing. The author has a knack for addressing both personal issues such as self doubt, fear, relations with partners as well as topics related to the business. He compels the entrepreneur to think hard about the objectives of his undertaking and then walks him through it step by step.
Invaluable Tool
I have been working on opening a specialty food shop/cafe and got stuck on the logistics of planning. After using several guides and books I randomly found (and getting NOWHERE) I decided to buy Gourmet to Go on a recommendation. It is THE best thing I could have ever bought, hands down. It seems that all the questions I had were answered in the book, and the structure of the book leads readers down a logical path through the maze of planning for this type of business. If you are to buy any book on this topic, this is the one. The money spent on this book will save you thousands later on. Two thumbs up!

Good for starting stores or providing to stores.
This is an excellent treatise of starting a specialty food store or, perhaps is even more beneficial to one who wishes to wholesale food products to place in food stores or delis..Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Food industry and trade    5. Food service    6. Industries - General    7. Methods - Gourmet    8. Methods - Professional    9. Quantity Food Production And Service    10. Reference    11. United States    12. Business & Economics / New Business Enterprises    13. Business communication & presentation    14. Hospitality industry    15. Management & management techniques    16. Retail sector    17. Sales & marketing   

Reviews (5)

This cookbook exists to make you look good
Although I have never done an entire menu from this book, every recipe I've tried from here has been delicious, super-easy and perfect, and I've tried several for my dinner parties. The desserts, especially, are delicious, impressive and simple.
i love this book
Simple Soirees is my new favorite cookbook. In December I lugged it to New Zealand to bring as gift to our hostess. After she opened it; I snuck it off to my room to read at night.It distinguishes itself by being the first cookbook that I have read cover to cover.It read like a novel. We spent the rest of our stay making many of the dishes.Our favorite was the whole fish wrapped in herbs for Christmas Eve...it was extraordinary.My daughter and I have made several of the sweet things together like the heavenly fragrant geranium ice cream and the lavander and cardamom cookies.Everything we have made has turned out delicious.
Great ideas--delicious food
Lovely ideas, encouraging, and full of do-able advice.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Dinners and dining    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Entertaining - Party Planning    8. Menus    9. Tablesetting    10. Cooking / Entertaining    11. General cookery   

Reviews (3)

A good book for using for cooking your first thanksgiving
Lots of good recipes especially for someone attempting to fix their first thanksgiving meal. Most are easy to make, lots of both traditional and updated holiday recipes. The instructions are easy to follow. Not so many recipes to choose from but makes it easier to plan a meal.

An On Target Cookbook!
The trouble with a lot of Thanksgiving cookbooks is that they throw so many new and quite exotic dishes at the reader.I think most people still prefer their Thanksgiving with all of the traditional dishes.
I love this book.
This book is great...even a novice like me can creat amazing dishes by following this book.Betty Crocker shows you the easy way to roast a turkey and prepare the side dishes and desserts that go with a Thanksgiving meal. Thank you, thank you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Holiday - General    5. Menus    6. Regional & Ethnic - American - General    7. Seasonal    8. Thanksgiving cookery    9. Thanksgiving cooking    10. Cooking / Seasonal    11. General cookery    12. National & regional cuisine    13. USA   

Editorial Review

Avowed Martha Stewart fans--and the rest of us, too--have cause to applaud. Read more

Reviews (33)

Mixed Results from Recipes
I have had mixed results from this cookbook. Fruitcake Lovers Unite!
I love fruitcake and I have sampled so many recipes that my friends call me Dr. Fruitcake! Martha Stewart's recipe is the greatest! It's more than just fruit and nuts loaded with rum. It has body, and character. No holiday table should be without this recipe and several others featured in this fine book. This Is Not Very Good Cookbook- Too Hard
I prefer the How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking, Betty Crocker's Picture Cookbook, The Low-Carb Comfort Food Cookbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. General    6. Reference    7. Tablesetting    8. Cooking / General    9. General cookery   

Editorial Review

With more than 1,600 recipes,there's something for every palate in this handsomely-designed and sturdy cookbook by the author of 11 best-selling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening and home improvement. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Not much of a cookbook
Like other reviewers, I agree: the recipes are definitely "hit or miss."Don't rely on recipes from this book to impress (although they certainly "sound" impressive).
I LOVE IT!!
This is a GREAT cookbook - maybe the reviews about wrong recipes are right, but I have made quite a few and they're all absolutely delicious.
A Complete Waste
Did anyone bother to check any of the recipes in this book? I think not. Not only are some of the ingredients difficult to get a hold of, the end product is a disaster. How difficult is it to compile recipes that have actually been made? Not very. But apparently it's much easier to just make them up. Like many have posted here, it is not the occasional recipe but a substantial proportion of them. I think Martha owes us all a hefty refund, if not for the time, money and effort wasted, as least for the book! For now, this one goes in the fire kindling pile. ... Read more

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

Reviews (1)

All the charm of a Christmas holiday on Nantucket!
As a ardent fan of Nantucket "style" and history, I can't be more delighted that the author has compiled a book devoted to the charms of a Nantucket Christmas! The copy and beautiful color photographs share all the beauty and uniqueness of the special holiday season on this "faraway" isle. In addition to sharing the special ambiance that is Nantucket, creative ideas abound in this book for bringing a bit of a Nantucket holiday to your own home. Thank you, Leslie Linsley, for a book I will treasure for many years to come!!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Christmas    3. Christmas decorations    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Decorating    7. Entertaining - General    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Holidays (non religious)    10. Holidays - Christmas    11. Massachusetts    12. Nantucket    13. Nantucket (Mass.)    14. Religion - Christian Life    15. House & Home / Decorating   

Editorial Review

The many shades of white, beautifully complemented by the velvety verdure of evergreens and ivy, are a perfect choice for holiday trimmings--the decorations, the accents and accessories, the table settings. Glowing with candlelight and sparkling with sun-kissed snow, these pages are filled with glorious arrays of white and green. Noted designer Tricia Foley has a way with white: dozens of elegant little ornaments, a creamware-bedecked table, a frosty tree encrusted with crystal and silver decorations, an all-white gingerbread house, even a boxwood-swagged gauzy bed canopy. "Like a Currier and Ives print or a snow-capped New England steeple," Foley reminds us, "the image of the perfect white Christmas is firmly etched in our minds." Her visual feast shows how truly stunning holiday decor can be when planned in a symphony of whites. Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas decorations    2. Cooking    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Handicraft    6. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Interior decoration    11. Table setting and decoration    12. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cookery (Natural foods)    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Health & Healing - General    6. Methods - Gourmet    7. Natural foods    8. Specific Ingredients - Natural Foods    9. Technology Of Organic Products    10. Cooking / Health   

Reviews (1)

First book in the series
Let me say that this is a nice book. But, it doesn't have all the color photos, details and recipes that the later editions do so if you have those, don't expect the same with this one.I buy these for friends annually because they are that great and this one is pretty good.I think the third and fourth are the best so far, and this one is just average.The recipes are incredible, however, so it is worth the price of admission just for those.I love these books and it's hard to be disappointed with them once you start using them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    4. Seasonal   

Reviews (5)

Rucker's Best Yet!!
Allen Rucker continues to have a handle on brilliant and entertaining writing.The recipes are fabulous, the pictures are tops - but the sidebar stories and historical/background info is interesting and captivating!Rucker is the author to follow - he brings humor and down-to-earth thoughts to his work!

Authentic Italian food +
This cookbook actually is full of really good recipes plus if you love the Sopranos you will love the pictures and stories.It also has a few decorating tips for the holidays as well as menus for all occasions.

Do not buy this for a cookbook....
You will be disappointed if you buy this book for a cookbook. It does contain some great recipes but few of them. The photographs are great! The book is about the Soprano family and how they entertain. It is written as if the Sopranos were a real family and is funny at times. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, Italian    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - General    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Italian Cookery    8. Parties    9. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    10. Tablesetting    11. Cooking / Italian    12. General cookery    13. Italy   

Reviews (3)

"Emily Post Etiquette " - A Valuable Companion
This 17th edition in hardback is excellent.I have constantly referred to it since its arrival here in Bundanoon, Australia (Down Under)and have already had favourable results from its usage.I have consequently recommended it to several members of my family and my friends.

"Emily Post Entertaining" -Everything you need to know
This was so good I immediately passed it over to my granddaughter as a gift and made plans to buy more copies for friends and relatives.I found it suitably covered all occasions for entertainment including St. Patrick's Day.Bravo!!

An Informative, Non-Stuffy Etiquette Resource
I purchased this to serve as a guide for my first-ever party in my new-ish apartment.What a great resource!Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Entertaining    3. Entertaining - General    4. Etiquette    5. Reference    6. Cooking / Entertaining    7. Etiquette & entertaining   

Reviews (3)

Great French Food, Doable Every Day
This book is a combination of two earlier cookbooks: Le Cordon Bleu Quick Classics and Le Cordon Bleu Classic Light.
A set of recipes which minimize shopping and prep times while retaining the classic French-flair cuisine features
Le Cordon Bleu is the most famous culinary arts institute in the world, offering courses in schools around the world: it's also famous for classic French dishes which typically require in-depth cooking skills and lots of time. Cooks who want the flavor without the prep hours will thus welcome Le Cordon Bleu Quick & Easy: a set of recipes which minimize shopping and prep times while retaining the classic French-flair cuisine features. From Pan-Fried Scallops with Mango and Salsa to Thai Chicken with Peppers, both French and international flavors blend in delicate sauces and spices. Blend in lovely color photos and you have a real winner.
Recipes for the rest of us
I have tried many of the recipes in this book and the results have been amazingly good despite my limitations as a cook.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Methods - Quick & Easy    5. Quick and easy cookery    6. Regional & Ethnic - French    7. Cooking / Gourmet    8. Sale Books   

Editorial Review

Can it be that there are no bad cooks in Italy and Sicily? Or maybe there are only a few really good cooks, while the rest aren't so much mediocre as simply ordinary. But it's the children of the really good cooks who end up on TV cooking shows and in magazines and writing cookbooks, much like Read more

Reviews (5)

In 2 years, I haven't moved past the Pasta chapter!
I love to cook, and my family loves to eat, but we don't always have time for that!Nick Stellino has a wonderful repertoire of quick pasta dishes, for which we usually have the ingredients on hand(or can come close enough).These aren't your typical spaghetti and meatballs pastas, but interesting, exciting, alternatives that my whole family enjoys (I have 4 kids from 8 to 15).I can't live without this book, and his others!

Fantastico!
After watching Nick's program on PBS, I was dying to try some of these mouth-watering recipies.Fortunately, this book is a gift that keeps on giving!Some of the recipies require more preparation time, but they are very simple and easy to follow.So far, I have yet to try a bad recipie.Some of the combinations of ingredients are very unique, but haveincredible bursts of flavors.It is a must-have for those who love Italian and Sicilian cooking!

Nick Stellino's Family Kitchen
I just seen Nick at a recent cooking demo and he explained that when he wanted to write this book he spoke with his publisher and said that if he could have "full say" in this book he would do it for half thegoing rate! He was that passionate about every aspect of this book. Therecipes are simple and wonderful, the stories are heartwarming. NickStellino... great chef, even greater person. Grazie molto Nick!Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, Italian    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Italian cooking    5. Menus    6. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    7. Cooking / Entertaining   

Reviews (14)

AMAZING!
Five stars are not enough - Fifty stars would be more fitting!We are 3+ years away from my oldest daughters bat mitzvah.I've been dreading this time mainly because of the meaningless and costly party that I felt compelled to throw for the occassion.While I am not at all religious, I do have strong feelings for Jewish tradition, culture and history, and wanted the bat mitzvah to have meaning and not be just another over the top theme party.
Mitzvah Chic deserves an A+
This book has been indespensible for me in planning my daughter's
I'm available to be your new best friend!
I'm the author of MitzvahChic and I want to personally invite anyone planning a bar or bat mitzvah -- whether they've bought my book from Amazon.com yet or not -- to come see me and your mitzvah-planning peers at www.MitzvahChic.com. You'll not only get lots of personalized help, but you'll learn about other books you can get at Amazon and ideas that will enhance your experience many times over. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bar mitzvah    2. Bat mitzvah    3. Cooking / Entertaining    4. Entertaining - Party Planning    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    7. Religion    8. Religion - Judaism    9. Religion / Judaism / Beliefs, Practices, Rituals    10. Theology    11. Writing Skills    12. Cooking    13. Entertaining   

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Entertaining - General    5. Holiday - General    6. Seasonal