Austin Entertains [Hardcover]

The Junior League of Austin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2001

The latest installation in the Junior League of Austin's repertoire offering recipes that are distinctly Texas in a beautifully illustrated book. Austin Entertains is conveniently menu driven broken down into 15 groups of recipes with menus ranging from kid-friendly parties to "tailgating" to formal holiday favorites. This gorgeous cookbook contains Lady Laura Bush's recipe for Sweet Potato Biscuits and was recently spotlighted on NBC's Today Show with Willard Scott.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The Junior League of Austin is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, and who strive to strengthen the community in which they live.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 255 pages
• Publisher: JR League of Austin; First Edition edition (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0960590609
• ISBN-13: 978-0960590605
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,295 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of my "go-to" cookbooks for entertaining, September 29, 2009

By 

Chandler - See all my reviews
(#1 REVIEWER)    (#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Austin Entertains (Hardcover)

I bought this cookbook at a holiday bazaar a few years ago where there were some samples of the dishes out on the table and it's become a favorite for meals I know I can count on to turn out excellent whenever I entertain...not that that's all it's limited to.

One of my favorite dishes for guests is the Spicy Rosemary Shrimp with Ancho Bock Beer Smashed potatoes. This one, whether you are a shrimp lover or not, is always a HUGE hit and looks amazing on the table. The beer bock smashed potatoes have ancho chiles I use Terra Sol jalapeno paste sometimes), baking potatoes, sweet potatoes, butter, cream, Shiner Bock beer or any malty brew and salt...I put this in a huge platter and top it with the spicy rosemary shrimp (did you know you can get vegan shrimp too for the veggie households?!) that has butter, rosemary, lemon, garlic, red onion paprika, basil, cayenne and 2 lbs shrimp. I add in some Old Bay seasoning too. oooooeeeeee! sooo good!

Can't figure out how to put together a dinner party? The coolest thing about this is that it's divided differently from other cookbooks...by menus. So you dont have to think what would go well with what, it's already done for you. You'll have beverage suggestions (such as "Governor's Mansion Summer PEach Tea Punch and Coffee Ice Cream Punch" for the "tea" menu) along with appetizers, main dishes, desserts. Of course you can also take an appetizer from anywhere in the cookbook and pair it with a main dish as I do...it all works well.

This is good Southern cooking with a Southwestern flair in many cases and all dishes have turned out gorgeous.

There are also great family meals or informal dining dishes such as the chicken potpie with cheddar crust or the fried catfish

try the spicy spinach dip for an amazing appetizer...I sometimes add in a jar of artichokes or artichoke antipasto as well

there are great margarita recipes and great soups, original sides and amazing desserts.

haven't had a bad recipe yet!

Additionally...FYI: lots of colored photos, no nutritional info, 255 pages

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars With a zest for hearty southern styles, November 14, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Austin Entertains (Hardcover)

The combined effort of The Junior League of Austin, Texas, Austin Entertains is a simply sumptuous cookbook featuring and showcasing Texas flavors, recipes, and delicacies. Ranging from Fried Venison with Cream Gravy; Mango Cabbage Slaw; Tomato Tart; and Grand Mariner Ricotta Cheesecake; to Crown Pork Roast with Wild Rice Stuffing; Pecan Lace Baskets; Fiesta Chicken Salad with Lime Cilantro Vinaigrette; and Chocolate Fudge Terrine with Creme Anglaise and Raspberry Puree, Austin Entertains offers "kitchen friendly" directions and a zest for hearty southern styles guaranteed to please even the most discerning palate.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect In Every Way!, April 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Austin Entertains (Hardcover)

This is an amazing cookbook! Something for everyone. Chapters include Toasting and Tasting, An Austin State of Mind and Kid Friendly. Beautiful photographs and thoughtful menus make this an ideal gift. The last chapter includes recipes from famous local chefs. A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++!