Product Description

Almost everybody would like to entertain more often - but it's just too daunting. Planning an exciting, well-balanced menu which won't require a week of preparation and three nervous breakdowns is the first hurdle. Next there are the wines to consider. And what about - flowers, lighting, table decorations? In this much-needed book, cookery writer Darina Allen smoothes away the stress of entertaining with over 250 recipes that cover everything from three-course dinners to tapas and one-pot suppers. Chapters include Starters, Finger Food, Brunch, Formal Dinners, Family Desserts and Festive Meals and the recipes are balanced so that you can prepare some dishes in advance and include modern recipes from around the world as well as vegetarian options. Be inspired by Darina's styling ideas for decoration and place settings to help you create the perfect atmosphere, whether it is a romantic dinner for two or a lively evening with friends. Darina uses her own experience to show how you can use sea shells as butter dishes, shot glasses for soup and a sari as a tablecloth for an Indian feast. Or throw it over your table lamp to soften your lighting. There are also extensive menu planners to help you plan your event and practical advice on wine and other drinks.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #341041 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Olive, December issue 05
Suffering from party cooking fatigue? Allen's inventive, fail-safe recipes will have you back on track in no time.

BBC Good Food Magazine, December issue 05
With over 250 beautifully illustrated dishes to wow your guests, Darina's easy recipes will guide you through every event.

The Lady, November 05
her new cookery bible... her common-sense advice and ideas are instantly appealing

Customer Reviews

High Standards as Always
Darina Allen's books are always written to a very high standard, as someone who teaches cookery as she does, the books are always exact, well thought out and you know will always work. I have been lucky enough to visit her cookery school and her high standards there are reflected in the quality of her books. You know that all the recipes have been tested, tested again and will not let you down. Her new book is full of excellent ideas, modern twists and as the name implies not too complicated. None of us have the time to spend hours and hours in the kitchen (although someone of us enjoy doing just that) Thank you for another first class book.

A wonderful booked packed with fantastic easy to follow recipes
This is a great book. I do a lot of entertaining at home and this book is filled with inspirational beautiful photography and is an indespensible guide to entertaining for every occasion.It takes all the stress out of planning a meal or dinner party, as all the recipes I need are here, they are easy to follow and produce great results, it hasn't let me down yet!

Beautiful and very useful
A great looking, great cooking book, covering a huge array of entertaining possibilities, not just formal dinner parties. She gets you enthused about having friends over to enjoy good food and have fun, rather than daunting you with long timetables of what to get ready when. There are some real gems of recipes here nad not too much cross over with her other books, espeically her silver bible, the BAllymaloe Cookery Course. There are loads of great ideas for decorating, even games to play. I LOVE the breakfast/brunch section, a much overlooked way of entertaining.