Customer Reviews

Real-Life Entertaining

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When I want to cook, there are many cookbooks from which to choose. When I want to entertain, I will go directly to Real Life-Entertaining. This book is not only full of simple recipes and menu ideas but also style notes that share easy ideas for making our homes and tables beautiful for our guests. Best of all, the author understands that my life is a busy one! She proves that I don't have to spend all day decorating to host a memorable occassion in my home. I like the party favor cellophane bags with chocolates tied with a ribbon trim and the idea of TASSELS on the backs of my dining room chairs! This book is my new entertaining bible.

I received this as a gift and have made over a dozen of the recipes. The grilled swordfish with lemon aioli is to die for! There are some great suggestions for how to plan, prepare and organize dinner parties. Starting with an empty dishwasher is one of them - it's so simple yet it makes a world of difference. The recipes are relatively simple and have been consistently very good. Out of the 20 or so cookbooks I have - this is my favorite.

This book is well done. It helps the one who truly wants to provide a memorable experience dining with all the tools and thoughts. From table setting to recipes to their presentation to total function planning, this work is chock full of ideas and thought starters which easily serve as do-it guides if one wants Donata to do all the thinking.

The recipes are not forboding or complex, but yet are very sophisticated, rich and easy to find ingredients and prep techniques. Some that especially attract my tastebuds are: Roasted Game Hens Stuffed under the sking with Herbed Ricotta; Duck Breasts with Cherry-Cabernet Sauce; Crown Roast of Pork with "Triple a" Stuffing; Beet and Champagne Risotto.

This is extremely well-organized which makes it simple and easy to use. Divided into major sections of Casual Suppers, Big-Deal Meals, Parties (with five listed) and Ways with Take-Aways. What is also an attractive feature throughout is Primers on various topics such as "D-I-Y Bar" Caviar, etc., Style Notes where thoughts on plates, centerpieces, etc. are shared.

Those looking for entertaining aid will find true, stylish relief from this delightfully done resource.

I bought Real-Life Entertaining used several years ago in large part because I found the book design so attractive (I've been a writer, editor, and publisher). As I started making the recipes, I learned that this book had more than just a pretty face. Recipes are clear and uncomplicated but result in memorable meals. The panettone bread pudding with cognac-caramel sauce alone is worth the cover price.