Celebrated television, cookbook, and restaurant chef Michael Chiarello is a master of simple, casually elegant cookingand a fabulous host. In this cookbookpacked with great recipes, gorgeous photographs, and inspiring entertaining ideashe shares his secrets for celebrating in style (and having fun doing it too!). Whether hosting four around the kitchen counter or a hundred for a cocktail party, readers will find everything from appetizers and main courses to desserts and drinks (over 130 recipes in all), time-saving tips, an all-important section on stocking the pantry (great for impromptu gatherings!), whimsical menus, and creative settings and table arrangements. A holiday cocktail party throws together quickly with bowls of crunchy Fusilli Snack Mix and Crispy Sausage-Stuffed Olives, all washed down with citrusy margaritas. Roll out the red carpet for an at-home movie night featuring Pop Culture Popcorn, Giant Bean Cassoulet with Fennel-Spiced Chicken, and Chocolate Mousse Cannolis along with the latest video release. Even a sit-down dinner can be a relaxing affair with Forever Roasted Lamb with Herbes de Provence, Lemon-Oil Smashed Potatoes, Garlicky Vegetables Primavera, and, for dessert, Molton Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes. Uber-casual Chiarello inspires calm and confidence in even the most jangle-nerved hosts, inviting everyone to think like an entertainerand relax like a guest.
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Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
"As a chef," says Michael Chiarello in At Home with Michael Chiarello, "I can either build on a classic recipe or deconstruct it and put it back together with a new identity." The Napa Valley-based TV chef and author takes his own message to heart in this collection of 135-plus recipes for imaginative entertaining. Chiarello's formulas, for the likes of Grilled Salmon and Spinach Salad with Corn Juice "Zablione," Turkey Osso Buco, and "Short Stacks" with Shredded Chicken and Balsamic BBQ Sauce, do reflect his ceaseless invention; but unlike some other chef's recipes, these are cook-friendlier, with flavors rooted in "homier" Italian and American culinary traditions. His chapter on pasta and rice dishes, with the likes of Lasagna of Roasted Butternut Squash, and Bordetto of Shrimp-Stuffed Pasta Shells, is particularly good.
The book also provides useful advice for easier, more original party-giving in, for example, Entertaining 101, which includes counsel on choosing a dining area, scaling recipes, and wine do's and don'ts, among other topics. Readers should know that many of the attractive dishes require a kitchen workout, and that invention occasionally overruns best taste, as in, for example, a dish of fennel-flavored pork tenderloin with a dressing of molasses, sage, and balsamic vinegar. Still, the majority of formulas, which include tempting sweets like Molten Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes and Freeform Cheesecake Poured Over Fresh Fruit, should make guests very happy as well as expanding the cook's repertoire. With alluring photos, the artfully produced book should, in itself, get the entertaining-at-home urge going. -–Arthur Boehm
From Publishers Weekly
Chiarello's latest offers a plethora of recipes and tips that will be familiar to fans of the author's Food Network show on home entertaining and will appeal to anyone eager for fresh ideas about cooking for guests. Many dishes are well-known but have been tweaked, like the surprising Grilled Avocado and Tomato Salad, or the classic Italian melon and prosciutto appetizer that's become a creamy chilled soup served in cantaloupe shells. The book begins with a listing of flavorful pantry staples and proceeds through a wealth of items for every part of the menu, including creative drinks like Tomato Water Martini. Chiarello's tips on technique will help most cooks prepare even the difficult recipes with less frenzy; Party Method Fontina Risotto, for example, is done in two steps, but has the same delicious consistency as a risotto made in the old-fashioned (read: long) way. Each dish also has helpful notes on accompanying wines, presentation suggestions, etc., and a section at the end provides even more advice on entertaining. The inviting photos should seal the deal for anyone who doesn't already know Chiarello's warm California style from TV; this beautiful book is sure to make even cooks who are apprehensive about hosting a party keen to try. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
73 of 74 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Michael Chiarello's cooking shows -- and the books that accompany them -- are all about making people comfortable. The food is wonderful, with a strongly Italian influence, but his emphasis is on helping you entertain friends and family without driving yourself crazy.
One way in which this shows, in At Home with Michael Chiarello, is how many of the "big" recipes are spread over several days. A recipe for pea and potato raviolini with sage brown butter -- which certain sounds exhausting -- has you make the dough and prepare the vegetables the day before; roll and fill the ravioli in the morning; and cook them right before serving. It all sounds very do-able. And the recipes make me anxious to do it.
The book is separated into the usual chapters -- appetizers, soups & salads, pasta & rice, meat & poultry, etc. --but you'll find a high percentage of the book is devoted to appetizers, soups, and salads. This book is about entertaining, after all, when you do more than make a one-dish meal for the family. Most recipes serve 6-8.
Some of the recipes are very simple -- a bruschetta tart, or a super-quick minestrone -- while others are definitely complex. It's a good balance. I have my eye on a roasted artichoke pesto, and his roasted tomato soup with sunny-side-up crouton, both of which are likely to appear at my next dinner party.
Which is not to say that the entrees are anything to sneeze at. He has a "cheap and tasty pork and orange stew" that I'll make for just the two of us. His cioppino has a long list of ingredients but the book assures me it's worthwhile ("I know this recipe looks like a killer," Chiarello writes, "but it's really quite simple and the entire thing can be made 4 hours in advance.") His desserts are good, with an emphasis on simplicity (raspberry gratin, for instance), but I expect you'll have a dedicated cookbook for that part of the meal.
There are a few menu suggestions, but not as many as I'd like. Nearly every recipe has a wine suggestion, though.
The writing is friendly, the instructions are clear, and the pictures are gorgeous. This one is a winner. Get it!
One way in which this shows, in At Home with Michael Chiarello, is how many of the "big" recipes are spread over several days. A recipe for pea and potato raviolini with sage brown butter -- which certain sounds exhausting -- has you make the dough and prepare the vegetables the day before; roll and fill the ravioli in the morning; and cook them right before serving. It all sounds very do-able. And the recipes make me anxious to do it.
The book is separated into the usual chapters -- appetizers, soups & salads, pasta & rice, meat & poultry, etc. --but you'll find a high percentage of the book is devoted to appetizers, soups, and salads. This book is about entertaining, after all, when you do more than make a one-dish meal for the family. Most recipes serve 6-8.
Some of the recipes are very simple -- a bruschetta tart, or a super-quick minestrone -- while others are definitely complex. It's a good balance. I have my eye on a roasted artichoke pesto, and his roasted tomato soup with sunny-side-up crouton, both of which are likely to appear at my next dinner party.
Which is not to say that the entrees are anything to sneeze at. He has a "cheap and tasty pork and orange stew" that I'll make for just the two of us. His cioppino has a long list of ingredients but the book assures me it's worthwhile ("I know this recipe looks like a killer," Chiarello writes, "but it's really quite simple and the entire thing can be made 4 hours in advance.") His desserts are good, with an emphasis on simplicity (raspberry gratin, for instance), but I expect you'll have a dedicated cookbook for that part of the meal.
There are a few menu suggestions, but not as many as I'd like. Nearly every recipe has a wine suggestion, though.
The writing is friendly, the instructions are clear, and the pictures are gorgeous. This one is a winner. Get it!
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Am an admitted Chiarello fan but also a serious, experienced cook. Found this new book to be as good as his last one. Love the pantry recipes - having these extras onhand make the ordinary extraordinary just like he promised. Best section is the side dishes. If you are looking for new dishes for your vegetables, this is a great source. Most are good enough to stand on their own and do in this carnivore's home frequently. If you like things just a little different - buy this book. The recipes are clear, the writing entertaining and your friends & family will be impressed!
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good recipes, beautiful photography and plenty of unique ideas on serving.
January 25, 2006
Format:Hardcover
To be honest I don't watch many of Michael's shows but the book is beautiful and perfect for those who are constantly on the lookout for entertaining recipes and ideas.
I like how the book is organized: Michael gives you detailed instructions on preparing for a party: all the way from what to do one and two days before to the hour before. This will be helpful for those of us who have their hands full with kids, work and balancing the demands of a household with preparing for a party.
There are imaginative ideas for serving and garnishing: Spoonfuls with Polenta Bites and Caramelized Mushrooms served in individual spoons; Pumpkin Risotto served in a Chinese spoon as an hors d'oeuvre; even the inside a squash for an individual serving and in a serving bowl on a buffet. The picture of a Prime Rib of Swordfish will make your mouth water and the result makes it well worth trying!
-EV/Cruising Cuisine-
I like how the book is organized: Michael gives you detailed instructions on preparing for a party: all the way from what to do one and two days before to the hour before. This will be helpful for those of us who have their hands full with kids, work and balancing the demands of a household with preparing for a party.
There are imaginative ideas for serving and garnishing: Spoonfuls with Polenta Bites and Caramelized Mushrooms served in individual spoons; Pumpkin Risotto served in a Chinese spoon as an hors d'oeuvre; even the inside a squash for an individual serving and in a serving bowl on a buffet. The picture of a Prime Rib of Swordfish will make your mouth water and the result makes it well worth trying!
-EV/Cruising Cuisine-
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exceptional!
Our cookbook club used this book recently. Ten different dishes were prepared from this book and we enjoyed every one of them. Read more
Published 5 months ago by K M Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
At home with Michael
I bought this book as a gift. The recipient of this gift called to tell me how much he likes it. He is a big Michael Chiarello fan and was happy that the book had recipes from the... Read more
Published 11 months ago by sis
1.0 out of 5 stars
Chef Michael (a.k.a Pompus Phony)
I am not sure about this cook book, however, I have seen this chef on several programs, including Food Network, Top Chef and Top Chef Masters, and he is the most arrogant,... Read more
Published on May 16, 2011 by Algansk
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too detailed
Book had many good recipes, however, it was not a simple read when trying to cook. TMI. Good browsing book, but not "an easy to use in the kitchen tool. Read more
Published on May 14, 2011 by snowlovr
4.0 out of 5 stars
My first Chiarello cookbook
Bought this some years back. I liked it then, I like it now. The minestrone soup recipe is 'the' one I use. It came out perfectly the first time and each time I make it. Read more
Published on January 16, 2011 by Joanne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great experienc
It was a great experience - book was in great condition and came before promised!
Published on June 14, 2010 by M. Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great companion to the TV show.
I got hooked on Michael Chiarello thru his TV show on the Food Network and just love his laid back style of food presentation and cooking. Read more
Published on June 1, 2010 by Michelle C. Crowley
4.0 out of 5 stars
EASY AND IT WORKS
GREAT RECIPES AND FAIRLY EASY TO DO HE PUTS HIS LITTLE TWIST ON REGULAR FOODS THAT YOU WILL LOVE,TRY IT OUT NOT BAD..
Published on February 5, 2009 by S. russo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great cookbook!
Michael Chiarello is one of my favorites. His recipes are one's that you would actually cook! Not too fancy and very delicous.
Published on November 9, 2008 by Christie
4.0 out of 5 stars
****Nice Book****
I bought this book as a gift for a friend and he absolutley loves it!
If you like Michael Chiarello you will love these recipes!..Great Deal too at $13. Read more
If you like Michael Chiarello you will love these recipes!..Great Deal too at $13. Read more
Published on April 20, 2008 by Jillie Bean
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