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Desperation Entertaining!
Socially inclined but time-deprived? Want to see friends for dinner, but can't do more than order takeout or meet in a restaurant? Well, help is here. From Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross-whose nationally syndicated column reaches millions of readers through 115 papers comes the perfect cookbook for the harried would-be host and hostess.
Desperation Entertaining! is filled with 200 marvelous recipes for impressive dinner party food. Desperation Entertaining! is a complete game plan for having guests over (children included) without having to spend more than 20 minutes on a dish, or 20 minutes per cook-ahead phase. There are tips on saving time (buy pre-peeled garlic, doctor supermarket potato salad with fresh chopped onions and paprika); sanity (tie the bottle opener to the cooler); and money (sangria costs less than wine). But of course the genius of the book is in the Cajun Catfish Gumbo, Cabernet Pasta Sauce with Italian Sausage, Greek Stifado with Artichokes, Citrus Shrimp Kebabs, Grilled Pork Chops with Southern Peach Salsa. Plus plenty of homemade desserts that won't break the host, including Rocky Road Brownie Sundaes, Berkshires Blueberry Crisp, and Sunset Key Lime Pies. Who's coming over next week?
Desperation Entertaining! is filled with 200 marvelous recipes for impressive dinner party food. Desperation Entertaining! is a complete game plan for having guests over (children included) without having to spend more than 20 minutes on a dish, or 20 minutes per cook-ahead phase. There are tips on saving time (buy pre-peeled garlic, doctor supermarket potato salad with fresh chopped onions and paprika); sanity (tie the bottle opener to the cooler); and money (sangria costs less than wine). But of course the genius of the book is in the Cajun Catfish Gumbo, Cabernet Pasta Sauce with Italian Sausage, Greek Stifado with Artichokes, Citrus Shrimp Kebabs, Grilled Pork Chops with Southern Peach Salsa. Plus plenty of homemade desserts that won't break the host, including Rocky Road Brownie Sundaes, Berkshires Blueberry Crisp, and Sunset Key Lime Pies. Who's coming over next week?
- GenresCookbooks
400 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2002
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 10, 2022
I hesitate to call it a dummy cooking book, so I will call it a "how to entertain and cook" book. It gives you steps before, during and after. It suggests menus with time tables. It gives you a grocery list of ingredients. And it includes all kinds of tasty party recipes from appetizers to main meal. It is a great reference to look at from time to time when you run out of steam being creative with your party/entertaining menu. It is an easy read, too.
June 3, 2017
Mom's Breakfast Casserole and the other recipes for brunch are loved by everyone I have made them for!
This is a definite go to book on my shelf.
This is a definite go to book on my shelf.
August 6, 2025
Easy recipes, so each recipe I have tried was good enough to keep in the on the go binder. If you have limited time to plan , this book is a book to turn to.
February 13, 2008
While it took me a little while to actually start trying the recipes from this book, I have been impressed with the recipes I have since tried. The only problem is that they recommend using all easy ingredients (pre-sliced carrots, bottles of minced garlic and/or ginger, etc.). I don't buy those items, so I have to figure the measurement out in real food. Our family favorites are the chicken strips, chicken dippers, dipping sauces, and the white bean chicken chili (which tastes good with other beans as well).
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews