Customer Reviews

Real Life Entertaining: Easy Recipes and Unconventional Wisdom

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the cookbook we all needed starting out - at school, in college, first date, first marriage, first kid... and for everything after that too. I've never worked with a book before that made me think, "Wow, that was actually, really easy!" without making me feel like an idiot. Not only are the recipes actually, genuinely, totally useable, but they project Rubell's sexy confidence - you get the sense she's in the room with you saying, "Come on, just throw a little brown sugar and mustard on the pork, throw it in the oven and meet us upstairs for a drink." You do. It tastes perfect. And, you don't feel like a slave to the kitchen. This is a must have.

I throw a fair number of parties but struggle with how to enjoy them more.

I decided to test this book before reviewing it by having 6 person dinner party. Everyone raved about the food (I made the skirt steak & parmesan/fig potatoes) and I actually did end up enjoying the process more. I followed Jennifer's advice and asked for help from the guests - one couple brought the appetizers, one set up bar outside and made mojitos -everyone had a good time. In fact, two of my "guinea pigs" went out and bought the book after the party.

I particularly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys having people around for parties but not necessarily the prep & process: non-foodies, newlyweds, new graduates. The recipes are easy and the advice is good.

Finally! a book that is filled with useful recipes that are easy and taste great and information that I can actually use. This book is an absolute MUST-HAVE for anyone who loves food. I have five cookbooks sitting on my shelf that I never even use because the recipes are too complicated. Rubell even tells you what you need to get started, how to set up your kitchen and how to cook and entertain on a variety of levels, whether you are cooking for four or twelve, she outlines a basic plan for every occasion that even a beginner can master. It helped me get over my fear of cooking and actually have some fun in the kitchen.

I love this book. I bought it because I have a fear of entertaining in my home and always make having guests into too much of a production, I found this book extremely helpful especially the party tricks and real life wisdom. I have repeated the Rustic Chicken Night numerous times. It is the juiciest chicken I have ever made. All my guests rave and ask for the recipes. I also like the one pot meals and the lunch buffets. This book is like a security blanket that has comforted me through many successful parties.

I have made several of these recipes and find them quick and delicious. They are easy and allow you time to enjoy yourself, spend some time with your guests and not spend all your time in the kitchen.

I questioned some of the ingredients in one recipe but followed it anyway and it was delicious. I even bought the book for a friend. I highly recommend this book for someone who loves to entertain but hates missing the party.

Great book. Easy to understand. Recipes are easy. I could have used this book years ago.

REAL LIFE ENTERTAINING: EASY RECIPES AND UNCONVENTIONAL WISDOM isn't for the party-giver who likes stress: it advocates a more carefree method of throwing a party whether impromptu or planned way ahead, foregoing fancy plans for budget-conscious convenience. Techniques for entertaining pair easy yet elegant recipes with ideas for festive themes. Color pictures throughout enhance the displays.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

If you want a book that gives you a few recipes with the advice to just relax and do it, then this is for you.

However, if you want a book that makes you feel comfortable with entertaining by taking you through all the steps (and great recipes), including what can go wrong and how to avoid it (and how to fix it, if it does), plus all the stuff you can do ahead to avoid last minute panic and allow you to relax with your guests, then you should check out the books by Diane Philips--The Diva of Do Ahead.

I was left cold by Rubell's story about how her first entertaining attempt earned her a diamond from her parents' diamond merchant pal and what growing up and working in her parents' hotels taught her.

I was completely stressed about entertaining and being told to relax was skimpy advice from a skinny book. I wanted to be prepared. This didn't do it.

Rubell's book makes a great gift for people setting up their first kitchen. It explains the basic recipes for solid cooking that most Americans expect people to know. Real Life Entertaining also offers a decent collection of good hints for new cooks as well.

Experienced cooks will find this book offers few novel recipes, many photographs that don't give solid presentation suggestions, and lots of white space. These features make the book less overwhelming to novices, but strip it of value for those seeking to expand a good repertoire.

I rate cookbooks by the number of interesting recipes offered. This ranking system probably does not reflect the market Rubell's book is targeted at.

I enjoyed this cookbook; the tone is converational, and there is not much pretense (where there COULD be) in what is presented. On a whim I tried the roast brussel sprouts, and though they were better than expected, I will still NOT serve them for a party. (The success was that I was inspired by the book to even buy the brussel sprouts!) Other recipes are good, even great--try the roasted potatoes with whatever you have on hand (I used fingerlings & purples), just as the book suggests. The info contained here isn't rocket science, but entertaining various crowds can be somewhat daunting if you've been out of the loop a while...which I had been. Jennifer Rubell gives good encouragement, and her advice is sound.