Party Appetizers: Small Bites, Big Flavors [Hardcover]

Tori Ritchie (Author), Victoria Pearson (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004

With today's magazines singing the praises of graze-style eating as both healthy and fun, Party Appetizers offers the perfect way to treat guests. Entertaining aficionado Tori Ritchie serves up sensational recipes for fabulous finger foods to kick off any informal dinner or stylish celebration -- or even be the main attraction at a holiday soiree. Variety truly is the spice of life when you're talking olives jazzed up with herbs and spices or savory party favorites like Merguez Meatballs with Yogurt Sauce or rich Fig and Gorgonzola Toasts with Caramelized Onions. And for guests who have to start with dessert, there are even a few bonbons such as Mocha Shortbread Buttons and Sugar and Spice Walnuts. Tips on smart shopping, artful presentation, and indispensable ingredients as well as a "make-ahead planner" get hosts prepared before the party for maximum socializing with guests. So let the festivities begin!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From "Warm Finger Foods" to "Something Sweet," Ritchie, the host of Food Network’s Ultimate Kitchens, makes harmonizing a diversity of small dishes seem like small potatoes. With sumptuous photos by Chronicle regular Victoria Pearson, Ritchie offers nearly 50 recipes and multiple ways of combining them into luscious platters, as well as advice for keeping it all together: e.g., "you are the most important guest, so treat yourself like one and don’t demand more than you can give." Texas Caviar includes black-eyed peas and apple cider vinegar; Mystery Tidbits and Hasty Hots contain olives, mayo and 12 slices of white bread. Some hosts will happily attempt the Goat Cheese with Cumin and Mint, others the Filet Mignon with Horseradish Cream, and still others will do both, along with Crostini with Roasted Eggplant, Red Pepper and Mozzarella, and end with Chocolate-Hazelnut Truffles. With a little planning ahead, Ritchie’s enticing descriptions, enthusiasm and clear directions will have readers out of the kitchen and in a terrific conversation at their own humming party.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Tori Ritchie is a San Francisco based food writer, cooking teacher, and host of Food Network's Ultimate Kitchens . She is the former food and wine editor for San Francisco magazine and the author of several cookbooks. Her articles have appeared in Bon Appetit and the San Francisco Chronicle among other publications.

Victoria Pearson is a Los Angeles based photographer. Her photographs have appeared in several books including Sangria (0-8118-4290-8), Party Appetizers (0-8118-4292-4), and The Cheese Course (0-8118-2541-8).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811842924
• ISBN-13: 978-0811842921
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #770,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tori Ritchie was born, raised, and still lives in San Francisco, where she's been writing about food and teaching cooking for over 20 years. She hosted "The Five-Minute Cooking School" on CBS' The Early Show and before that, traveled the country filming "Ultimate Kitchens" for Food Network. She frequently writes for Bon Appetit magazine, teaches cooking at Tante Marie's Cooking School in San Francisco (where she trained as a chef), and volunteers for Food Runners. Read more about her or sign up for a free weekly recipe at her website, www.tuesdayrecipe.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SO elegant SO EASY!, March 1, 2008

By 

readsalot "kate" (CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Party Appetizers: Small Bites, Big Flavors (Hardcover)

even if you HATE to make food for parties, get this book. The ideas are original, the results GREAT, and really, really, anyone can make this food.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book for party planning, December 3, 2010

By 

heist movie afficionado (Colorado Springs) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Party Appetizers: Small Bites, Big Flavors (Hardcover)

I checked this book out from the library- and made several recipes for my 40th birthday. The nuts recipes are outstanding-- easy chocolate truffles, and the lemon pesto was amazing (and easy!)

She also gives lots of great party tips about how to plan foods (combinations of hot and cold appetizers, different colors and textures, etc.)-- and offers lots of cook-ahead foods so you aren't frantically cooking at the last minute.

I don't own too many cookbooks (only about 20)- but this is one I'm considering buying.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love to cook, but I need new ideas, April 9, 2011

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DL "Mother" (boston) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Party Appetizers: Small Bites, Big Flavors (Hardcover)

We have tried several recipes from this book and they are all classy, taste delicious and not that difficult to do. You can be proud to serve these to your guests! I highly recommend this book.