Simple Soirees: Seasonal Menus for Sensational Dinner Parties

by Peggy Knickerbocker

Peggy Knickerbocker lives in two of the greatest food cities in the world, Paris and San Francisco, and she loves to give dinner parties wherever she is. In Simple Soiré Seasonal Menus for Sensational Dinner Parties , the food journalist, former caterer, and restaurateur shares her passion, her welcoming spirit, and her secrets for creating a memorable party, whether it's a romantic dinner for two, a birthday party for a special friend, or a cocktail fundraiser.

The book includes 100 of the author's favorite recipes, organized into seasonal menus such as Warm Figs Wrapped in Serrano Ham, Roasted Salmon with Peas and Mint, and Heirloom Tomato Salad for summer, or Steak au Poivre, Braised Fennel and Garlic, and Double-Ginger Gingerbread for fall. With an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, the menus are always stylish and often feature an element of surprise. Knickerbocker also offers planning and preparation suggestions, as well as time-saving advice to make entertaining easy and fun. With beautiful photographs that capture the essence of the simple soirée, this delightful book will appeal to food lovers and party lovers alike.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Dayna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe this book was "okay" as far as the stars go, and maybe I should give it two, but I didn't like it. What I wouldn't or hadn't thought of on my own - for entertaining, menus, and decor - I did not like and was not interested in. I was disappointed after starting out with high expectations! I loved one of the first photos, of beautiful bowls and glassware on an open shelf, but I already know that I love those things (especially when displayed on an open shelf!), and I already know how to use them and what to serve in them...but, I really wasn't impressed with the photography (the best photos are on the cover) which there isn't enough of, I didn't particularly care for the layout, the decor advice was uninspired, and the menus were... Well, the menus were all kinds of things except for sensational. If it was something that sounded great to me (like the Mexican dinner), then it was something everybody who has ever had friends over could think of and has probably done. Guacamole and margaritas are pretty basic, really good but somewhat unoriginal, Mexican meal components. I didn't even read most of the recipes because they just didn't appeal to me. These dinner party ideas were inspired by dinner parties that Peggy Knickerbocker had held at one time or another, which is fine - when it's tried-and-true that's great - but more than a couple started with "picked up great [insert ingredient] at the farmer's market," which really bugged me! Some of it was stuff that you're not going to find fresh and beautiful at any market in a small, midwestern city (especially all of the seafood, and there is a lot of seafood in here). It may have looked really good that season in that year, and it may have been part of a gorgeous meal, but just because she found some inspiring seasonal ingredient at a market in Paris or San Francisco does not mean I will be able to recreate the dinner party featuring that dish. Beyond all of that, honestly, these parties read like "old people" entertaining. It just wasn't my thing.