50 Great Appetizers [Hardcover]

Pamela Sheldon Johns (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 2008

Appetizers are the new entrees." --New York Magazine

Starters, amuses-bouche, antipasti, hors d'oeuvres, mezes, antojitos, dim sum, tapas, canapes, finger foods--no matter what you call them, people everywhere are choosing small plates over traditional entree-based meals.

Internationally acclaimed chef and culinary instructor Pamela Sheldon Johns presents 50 festive appetizers and practical party-planning advice on presentation, preparation, decoration, and food safety to inspire many successful gatherings. Also included are 10 themed menus featuring recipes for Middle Eastern mezes, farmers market morsels, Mexican antojitos, vegetarian plates, and more.

The recipes in this handy and giftable cookbook are categorized according to cooking method, including those that are topped and dipped, grilled and skewered, stuffed and rolled, or plated and sauced. Mouthwatering four-color photographs illustrate the book throughout.

Recipes include Stuffed Grape Leaves with Dilled Yogurt, Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta, Roasted Poblano Chilies Stuffed with Shrimp and Crab, Tea-Smoked Chicken Wings, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Having this appetizer-sized book, especially with themed menus, on your cookbook shelf will add some zest (and ease) to your parties and meals. --Shelf Awareness

A quick hit with yummy recipes, including White Bean-Rosemary Crostini and Bite-Sized Polenta Squares --The Kansas City Star

About the Author

Pamela Sheldon Johns is a former board member of the American Institute of Wine and Food and a professional member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. She has written more than 13 cookbooks. She and her family make their home in Tuscany, where she hosts food and wine workshops.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (September 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740776509
• ISBN-13: 978-0740776502
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,057,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Since 1992, Pamela Sheldon Johns has coordinated food and wine workshops in Italy.
A regular visitor to Italy since 1983, Pamela now lives full-time in Tuscany and coordinates wine and food workshops in various regions: Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Cinque Terre, Campania, Sicily, Veneto, Abruzzo, and Piemonte. Info about the workshops can be found at www.FoodArtisans.com

Pamela owns Poggio Etrusco, a 15-acre farm near Montepulciano. She certified organic in 2003 and produces "Pace da Poggio Etrusco," an excellent extra-virgin olive oil. The farm has apartments and rooms for rent and Pamela's breakfast includes her homemade organic jams. Info about Poggio Etrusco rentals, cooking classes, and olive oil can be found at www.Poggio-Etrusco.com

Pamela's culinary workshops and organic farm have been featured in Food & Wine magazine (top ten cooking schools in Italy), Cooking Light, Bon Appetit, Canadian Geographic, and many other reviews.

Pamela returns to the US once a year for a cooking tour. Contact her to receive the newsletter with updates, [e-mail]

Follow Pamela on Twitter: PamelaInTuscany
on Facebook: Poggio Etrusco

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TASTE TEMPTERS AND PALATE PLEASERS, August 3, 2009

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 50 Great Appetizers (Hardcover)

Hard to believe that such s small slim volume (111 pages) could hold so very many temptations and gorgeous gotta'-try-this photos. But, it surely does. So believe I'll copy the Juli5 of blog/movie fame who tried to make all of Julia Childs' cookbook recipes in a year, and work my way through this compendium of savory suggestions.

One of the many things to admire about this book is that not only is it brimming with the best of small bites but it also includes recipes that do double duty - as appetizers or as a main course. For instance, the Lamb Fritters with Curry Sauce (p. 91). Ah, we added a green salad and enjoyed these con much gusto for supper. The fritters can be shaped and refrigerated for up to 3 hours should that be more convenient.

Another first-rate at home meal is the Tea-Smoked Chicken Wings (p. 34) paired with the Orange Broccoli Salad (p. 100). Need we say that not only are Johns's recipes palate pleasers but also very easy on the eyes, such as the Prosciuto-Wrapped Asparagus (p. 72) It looks gift wrapped - who wouldn't appreciate this present? Plus, it's so easy to do that we chose two other appetizers, put the three together and relished a very festive, fun dinner.

Johns thoughtfully includes a page for Equivalents, and a Sources page that lists useful stores. (We're in love with Italian food importer Manicaretti, which may be found online).

50 Great Appetizers is a delicious indispensable!

- Gail Cooke

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Starters, November 21, 2008

By 

Ryan Ritchie (Simi Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 50 Great Appetizers (Hardcover)

"50 Great Appetizers" by Pamela Sheldon Johns

A visually tantalizing selection of appetizers ranging from the familiar classics such as Bruschetta, to the more exotic; but equally delicious b'stilla. Included in this little gem are helpful suggestions for party planning, presentation, food safety, and themes.

From Italian to Farmers Market, a 50's party to an Island Party the ideas span the imagination of what appetizers can be. I like early on in the book the author stresses "Don't feel bound by the exact ingredients you see in the recipes that follow." Spoken like a true chef, in fact she is one. Through out the book the author makes suggestions for substitutes or alternatives for certain ingredients that may be hard to get in some areas or during certain seasons. "50 Great Appetizers" is a wonderful addition to anyone's kitchen or cookbook collection, I know it was to mine.