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Bite By Bite: 100 Stylish Little Plates You Can Make for Any Party
Celebrated caterer Peter Callahan knows how to throw a party. With a career spanning more than two decades and a client list including celebrities, politicians, Fortune 500 companies, and New York City socialites, Peter has earned a reputation for creating hors d’oeuvres that are as inventive and beautiful as they are delicious.
A two-sip shot cleverly matched to a small bite is an incredible icebreaker, especially when the appetizer is playfully served on an edible spoon or inside a miniature Chinese take-out container. Bite-size cheeseburgers are served on tiny home-baked poppy seed buns with all the trimmings. Mango-marinated shrimp are served individually on lollipop sticks sprinkled with fresh cilantro; diminutive plantain cones are filled with dollops of tuna tartare; and chicken is rolled into nori “cigarettes.” And for an impressive encore, how about shots of coffee with sugar donuts, or mini bagels with lox and cream cheese paired with caviar cones and champagne?
In Bite by Bite , his debut cookbook, Callahan welcomes readers to share in the fun and beauty of his creations, providing inspiration for parties—whether casual gatherings, dinner parties, baby showers, or formal occasions such as weddings and holiday soirees—and 100 recipes for the home cook, ranging from savory to sweet, comfort food to haute cuisine. According to Peter, being prepared is the key to pulling off a self-catered party like a professional. With that in mind, he has included a “Kitchen Tools and Conveniences” section, listing the key equipment that will help you create the delicious masterpieces in this book. In the recipes he also notes what can be made in advance, how best to schedule your time, and any emergency substitutions and shortcuts that will make life easier on the big day. Along the way, he divulges his secrets and inspiration, recounting stories of how he dreamed up dishes that he’s catered for his impressive roster of celebrity clients.
Full of creative recipes, unique party ideas, and vibrant food photography, Bite by Bite is your go-to source for inspired hors d’oeuvres and whimsical treats that will transform any gathering into an unforgettable event.
A two-sip shot cleverly matched to a small bite is an incredible icebreaker, especially when the appetizer is playfully served on an edible spoon or inside a miniature Chinese take-out container. Bite-size cheeseburgers are served on tiny home-baked poppy seed buns with all the trimmings. Mango-marinated shrimp are served individually on lollipop sticks sprinkled with fresh cilantro; diminutive plantain cones are filled with dollops of tuna tartare; and chicken is rolled into nori “cigarettes.” And for an impressive encore, how about shots of coffee with sugar donuts, or mini bagels with lox and cream cheese paired with caviar cones and champagne?
In Bite by Bite , his debut cookbook, Callahan welcomes readers to share in the fun and beauty of his creations, providing inspiration for parties—whether casual gatherings, dinner parties, baby showers, or formal occasions such as weddings and holiday soirees—and 100 recipes for the home cook, ranging from savory to sweet, comfort food to haute cuisine. According to Peter, being prepared is the key to pulling off a self-catered party like a professional. With that in mind, he has included a “Kitchen Tools and Conveniences” section, listing the key equipment that will help you create the delicious masterpieces in this book. In the recipes he also notes what can be made in advance, how best to schedule your time, and any emergency substitutions and shortcuts that will make life easier on the big day. Along the way, he divulges his secrets and inspiration, recounting stories of how he dreamed up dishes that he’s catered for his impressive roster of celebrity clients.
Full of creative recipes, unique party ideas, and vibrant food photography, Bite by Bite is your go-to source for inspired hors d’oeuvres and whimsical treats that will transform any gathering into an unforgettable event.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 30, 2011
7 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Peter Callahan
12 books7 followersPETER CALLAHAN is the owner of New York City-based Peter Callahan Catering. Since 1985, Peter has created food for Vera Wang, Kate Spade, JPMorgan, Tory Burch, Valentino, Regis and Joy Philbin, Tony Bennett, Martha Stewart, and Al Gore, among many others. Peter and his wife, dress designer, Josephine Sasso, divide their time among New York City, a historic house in Pennsylvania, and a captain's house on Nantucket. An avid squash and tennis player, Peter is as likely to be found on the slopes skiing in Winter as he is in the kitchen testing a new recipe. He and his company have been featured in publications such as Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, Elegant Bride, Town & Country, US Weekly, The Daily News, the New York Times, New York Magazine, Elle Decor, and House Beautiful. He was honored twice by Modern Bride as the most innovative in the wedding industry, has appeared on Food Network's "Behind the Bash," the Today Show, The Martha Stewart Show, and on VH1's Fabulous Life.
For more information, please visit www.callahancatering.com
For more information, please visit www.callahancatering.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 16, 2017
Interesting little party finger foods. Many things look very complicated, but like another reviewer here, I was intrigued by the "Baked Beans in Bacon Cups"and the "Rice Krispy canapes with yogurt and berries."
January 24, 2018
This cookbook is stuffed with miniature real foods ready for any party. Some of the recipes are pretty labor-intensive, but they all look delicious!
May 24, 2018
some interesting plating ideas for party food - although few were even very interesting and felt very finiky.
January 3, 2012
Love this book! The way he creates all these mini appetizers is fascinating, and while some items (cooking tools) might not be available over here regularly, he provides great alternatives and shortcuts to many. A big theme of the book as well deals with display of the food and how an appetizer looks infinitely more appetizing if presented uniquely. Looking through this book definitely made me excited to throw an appetizer only dinner party LOL
March 24, 2012
Oh my goodness...I wanted to tear out the pages and eat them myself. I could not believe how cute and delicious some of the food looked in this cookbook. My favorite was "Baked Beans in Bacon Cups" & "Rice Crispy Canapes with yogurt & blueberries". These little items were so small you could fit a meal in your hand.
September 3, 2011
Peter Callahan is the caterer to the stars. In Bite by Bite he offers 100 gorgeous miniature appetizers to wow your guests. See my review here:
http://livinginthekitchenwithpuppies....
http://livinginthekitchenwithpuppies....
January 11, 2016
Great food porn in miniature size - seriously, the pictures of food will make you drool. Some recipes are far more labor-intensive than I'd want, but the ideas are so clever. And did I mention the photos? I'm hungry, just thinking about it.
November 10, 2016
The appetizer-sized but labor-intensive snacks in this cookbook are really fabulous and adorable. Some day, I hope to make and serve the Peace of Pizza, Vegetable Lasagnas, Spicy Chicken "Fortune Cookies" and Cherry Sake, Corn Soup and Bacon--those are the takeaways for me.
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September 15, 2011Total food porn.
January 25, 2012
Food porn for party planners.
June 27, 2012
oh man, damn you beautiful miniature foods! so time intensive but so cute!
October 25, 2012
Loved it. Im so into catering, which i love. But these are cute little recipes for parties you can do and there quick and simple
March 29, 2013
Some of these look like they would be a lot of fun for tailgates though certainly a lot of work.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews