Kitchen Revelry: A Year of Festive Menus from My Home to Yours

by Ali Larter

A month by month culinary scrapbook that brings out the reveler in every home cook



 

Ali Larter is a busy actress, well known for her roles on NBC show Heroes and movies like Varsity Blues and Legally Blonde. But when she is not on set, she is usually throwing a dinner party or entertaining at home in some way. In fact, Ali has been cooking and entertaining all her life, and in an instant, she can whip together a wonderful meal, whether it’s for a family Sunday brunch, a spontaneous Superbowl party, or an elegant (but not stuffy) New Year’s Eve dinner. Her parties seem effortless, but it always hasn’t been that easy for her. In fact, at Ali’s first dinner party, she made the common rookie mistake by putting too much stress on herself to make things perfect. Needless to say, with hungry guests, a burnt hand, a broken air-conditioner, and a mouse crawling across her fourth floor New York City walk up, the night ended in disaster. Through the years of trial and error, she has learned that while looking effortless takes some effort, cooking is not about being perfect but about having a great time—  and now, she’s eager to share her passion and knowledge and has curated her favorite go-to menus into this wonderful cookbook.


From her jalapeño cheddar skillet cornbread, to crab pots with lemon aioli, lamb chop lollipops, strawberry mint cake, and for thirsty revelers, her eucalyptus gin martinis, Larter’s mouthwatering recipes and inspiring party ideas are broken down by month so you can take her lead through the seasons with celebrations like an October Harvest Party, a January Detox, and a July Americana BBQ. Brimming with personality, beautiful and intimate photos, and Larter's personal touch as a perfectly disheveled, sassy, effortless host, you’ll be reaching for your copy of Kitchen Revelry again and again.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction

342 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 10, 2013

Reviews

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ali Larter is a pretty actress in Hollywood; that's about all I knew of her until I bought her cookbook. Afterward I looked her up and followed her blog. She loves to cook and entertain and I like that.

A reveler is someone who loves sharing their passion for good times.
A reveler is resourceful-overcoming obstacles with some sweat and a splash of sass.
A reveler knows true lasting experiences are thoughtful, not expensive.
A reveler is all about fabulous fresh foods, an adventurous spirit, and effortless style-one part Zen master, one part MacGyver, and two parts Rita Hayworth.

Her cookbook is beautiful, the photographs, recipes and food look amazing. Her cookbook starts in September and ends in August. With titles like 'Wanderlust Supper', 'Spring Clothing Swap' and 'Full Moon Party'.





There's a French feeling to her cookbook, so elegant, rich and beautiful to look at, imagine cooking it to friends?!

[Georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the recipes, especially in her autumn chapters, are fabulous- the apple crostata with aged gouda, kale salad with pecorino and truffle, butternut squash soup with sage. Most of the recipes are elevated in palate and in instruction, but nothing is too difficult. My issue with this is as a "celebrity cookbook", Ali Later comes off as distant and unlikable (far beyond the realm of even G. Paltrow whose writing still came off as endearing). Some hate when authors add in too much story to their cookbooks, but I love it... and this book really lacks that. The e-book formatting was a wreck in this text too (pictures out of order, quotes dropped across pages), so if you check it out, do so in hardcover.

[anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad





Yo yo banana 20 mins later larter from the fart or
Save the last dance for me as ms G

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to win a signed copy of this book through goodreads first reads :) This is a book for those that have a strong love for food, time in the kitchen, and time spent sharing both with your family. I love the way the book is put together. It is broken down by month and then by menus for themed gatherings. I enjoyed reading the little notes associated with each recipe; they add a lovely personal touch to the book. I like to cook, but I have been playing it safe (or being a bit lazy) for quite some time. This book was a much needed revival to my kitchen, home, and family. I've been inspired to throw a harvest party! The recipes are easy to follow and understand. I think it would nicely serve new and experienced cooks alike. Well done!

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won a first edition signed copy on goodreads.com

I did find some recipes I want to try...
Carrot Ginger muffins.
Candy cane crunch cookies.
Nutella macaroons.
Strawberry mint cake.

I asked my boyfriend's sister if she'd be interested in
the green bean casserole with wild mushroom.
I'm waiting for her response.
She makes green bean casserole on thanksgiving and I know her and my boyfriend both like mushrooms.

I'll be honest I'm only keeping it and not donating it to my local library because she signed it and I loved her as Claire in the resident evil movies.

KEEP in mind my rating is not based on how the recipes came out since I haven't made them yet.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as cookbooks go, this is a pretty solid one. It does include a lot of fancy meals that I will probably never be inclined to make, but I like how it includes really complicated recipes as well as simple things such as an omelette. The book is gorgeous (I actually flipped through just to see the pretty pictures before actually studying the recipes).

I appreciate Goodreads giveaways for not only giving me the opportunity to get this book but to have it autographed as well (and as an autograph collector, that aspect made me very happy!) Thanks, Goodreads giveaways!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this there were quite a few recipes that i want to try out. especially excited about the ginger snap pumpkin pie. there were alot of combos with pairing of foods that i never wood have thought of but i would totally try if this was at a eating place where i did not have to make it that would be even better. top marks it was delicious. yumm

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book exceeded my expectations. It had some awesome recipes and some I would never attempt as a novice - however every picture was amazing and made me want to try. Separated by seasons...this made any type of entertaining....no matter who you are...A LOT easier.....most celebrity cookbooks include stories ..this book lacked that - just recipes and pictures of the recipe once made.

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a non-chef, this was a surprisingly good cookbook. The pictures were amazing, the stories were fun, and the recipes looked delicious.

[Sausan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The recipes are a bit too advanced for me. Something to work towards

[LS kitchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the concept of this book with dishes and ideas for entertaining broken down by month. Enjoying traditions with the seasons is exactly how I like to cook!

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great healthy recipes.

[Nikki Dinki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her, love this book.