Customer Reviews

The Complete Do Ahead Cookbook (Today's Gourmet)

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Over the past 25 years, I've purchased a lot of cookbooks and I love to cook. When I ordered this book I expected a lot of mediocre recipes that could be done ahead and in a hurry. What a wonderful surprise. Every recipe I've made has been outstanding and received rave reviews from my family. I don't like meatloaf - but I loved the Piquant Little Meat Loaves. Cornish Hens Mandarin was excellent and Company Chicken-Artichoke pleased even grumpy teenagers. The final and supreme compliment came when I visited my mom (recovering from surgery in Iowa) and I cooked one of the recipes. She is a superb (extremely particular) cook and said, "This is a cookbook that finally makes sense." She liked that the first recipe was large and leftovers were utilized in the series of recipes that followed. Thank you so much for a group of fresh and exciting recipes!

The time saving tips you will find here are worth their weight in gold. I like to entertain but still have enought time and energy left to enjoy my company. This book teaches you how to prepare foods well in advance so you are not running around at the last frazzled minute before dinner guests arrive. I had a Christmas part for 60- prepared all the food myself and did minimal preparation that day. I was able to freeze the cream puffs for Curried Chicken Salad Puffs a month ahead and fill them that day. The section Coctail Buffet for Forty took all the hassle out of planning for a large affair and I used every recipe I found there- the Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish was elegant to serve and thrilled my guests. Also, the Rasberry Vinaigrette is the best I've ever come across. This is almost exclusively the only cookbook I use and has become my standard present for soon-to-be brides.

I've had this cookbook for 4 years and still use it
just as much today as I did when I got it. Every recipe
is a winner. Favorite sections include "Double Duty"
which gives you a recipe for a big "Sunday Dinner"
and then four or five recipes for using the leftovers.
What a money saver! Other don't miss recipes include
Orange Brownies, Cranberry-Glazed Ham, and Tropical
Nut Bread Sandwiches.

This has become one of the books I reference most often. I like the individual recipes, but I absolutely LOVE the recipes for full dinners and buffets. I have made the cocktail for 40 not once, but twice, and it was a smashing success both times. My new mother-in-law so enjoyed the frozen apple waldorf salads I made for an inlaws visit recently, she asked for the recipe - when I removed it from my cupboard, she said, oh, I have that cookbook, but I haven't looked at it. What a shame! It's one of my all-time favorites!

This is a great book! I have made the Delta Shrimp recipe several times and always get asked for the recipe. I make it even easier using frozen uncooked, peeled and cleaned shrimp, and always get rave reviews. The Company Artichoke Chicken Bake is also excellent! For anyone who loves to entertain, and do most of the preparation ahead of time, this is the book to get!

I must echo what each of the other reviewers has already said about this book. I have made many of the recipes and always get asked for "a copy". At least six of my friends have gone out and purchased their own edition of the book. Now I'm planning to buy a second copy so I won't have to keep taking my original with me when I go to Florida for an extended period in the winter.I really can't be without it.Even my batchelor son borrows Mom's book when he's entertaining.

I checked this recipe book out numerous times from my library until I finally caved and purchased my own. Seeing as how this was published 20 years ago I was so excited to finally find a copy on Amazon. Pay no attention to the dated pictures in this book. The recipes are wonderful. I LOVED the Country Chicken Pot Pies and my husband and I both fell in love with the Beef Sandwiches with Onion Marmalade. This is a wonderful cookbook. In fact I have the Piquant Little Meat Loaves sitting in my fridge for me to pull out and bake tonight for company.

My copy is worn due to its extreme use as almost every recipe in this book is a keeper. You can prepare tasty gourmet meals ahead, leaving time to visit with guests, and still serve them a meal that will wow them over.

We particularly like the Piquant Mini Meatloaves and the White Chocolate Chip cookie recipe will make anyone happy.

Highly recommend.