Instant Entertaining [Hardcover]

Donna Hay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2006

Entertaining doesn't have to be stressful. It should be fun and fuss-free. Which is why Donna Hay has put together this collection of simple menus for truly instant entertaining. So no matter what the occasion, entertaining has just become a whole lot easier.

One of today's most influential food writers tells you all you need to know about entertaining. Following the worldwide success of her last book, The Instant Cook, Donna Hay brings you fresh, easy-to-follow recipes and clever styling ideas for entertaining family and friends. From an impromptu weeknight dinner for two to a celebration for twelve, Instant Entertaining is everything you need to make your occasion an instant success. It is beautifully photographed in the style for which Donna has become known worldwide.

Donna Hay has become an inspiration to American cooks. Her recipes are renowned for their fresh modern flavors, stylish presentation, ease of preparation and readily available ingredients. Her style has become a benchmark for contemporary recipes and cookbooks. She has garnered a passionate global following for her approach to food, giving home cooks the confidence to cook with instinct and style.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

At the age of eight, DONNA HAY skipped into a kitchen, picked up a mixing bowl and never looked back. She moved to the world of magazine test kitchens and publishing, where she established her trademark style of simple, smart and seasonal recipes all elegantly put together and photographed. Hers is food for every cook, every food lover, every day and every occasion. Her unique style turned her into an international food-publishing phenomenon as a bestselling author of sixteen cookbooks, publisher of Donna Hay Magazine, newspaper columnist and creator of a homewares and food range. Visit her online at www.donnayhay.com.au.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Ecco (November 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061236268
• ISBN-13: 978-0061236266
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #766,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An accessible food writer, well laid out book, June 19, 2007

By 

A. Woodley "Patroness, Janeites, the Austen list" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Instant Entertaining (Hardcover)

Donna Hay has always appealed to me. Her writing and recipe format are very simple and straightforward - the presentation in this book is also outstanding. She seems to have developed an understanding on how to make cooking seem easy. She has never attained the popularity of Jamie Oliver, yet that is the closest chef I would personally align her with. She enjoys simple cooking with lovely ingredients. The recipes are uncomplicated but with delicious outcomes.

She is not afraid of introducing you to new techniques and ingredients, but there is no snobbery about it.

The layout in the book works well each page has four recipes which work in well for simple entertaining. They include a dessert dish as well as flavours which combine well.

She offers suggestions of replacements which can be used, so for the Lemongrass greens she lists a few other things which can be used as alternatives.

There are a variety of entertaining situtaions with suitable recipes - includeing Barbeques, Saturday nights, sunday brunches and special occassions.

She also offers some style suggesions such as fresh hand cloths (and how to prepare them) for finger food, using egg cups for vases, and how to make iced coffee

In the back are prepartation notes if you want to do things yourself. There are asterixs throughout the book so you can buy the item, or you can use the section in th eback to prepare it yourself - if that is what you like to do - stocks, pastry, potatoes, etc - it also has notes such as the importance of various types of ingredients such as star anise, red wine vinegar and rice flour etc

This book allows cooks and budding chefs to work at a variety of levels - and allows room to grow and develop. An excellent resource! and Lovely book to look at too!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars must buy, June 19, 2007

By 

Ms. Mary B. Pirrone V "cookbook junkie" (grosse pointe, mi) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Instant Entertaining (Hardcover)

I'm embarasses to say, I have over 600 cookbooks. (I really use them) I'm trying to be e x t r e m e l y critical, before buying anymore! I love Donna Hay - have 4 of her previous books, special ordered this from our library, glanced at it - thought, oh well - seems too basic and easy, then looked page by page. Cannot 'copy' my favorite specifics - need the entire book. This book will be my summer 'bible' - PRESENTATIONS ARE ALL MORE THAN GORGEOUS - EACH MEMU - PERFECT and all encredibly easy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little longer than an instant, May 2, 2007

By 

Valerie Usowski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Instant Entertaining (Hardcover)

Donna Hay makes the recipes seem effortless, but take the time to put everything together neatly. The pictures are oustanding and clean, as usual, and the menu items aren't as daunting to the American culture as some of her other books. She pieces together themed menus and gives great style ideas for the parties. I only wish the book was scratch and sniff.