Block Parties & Poker Nights: Recipes and Ideas for Getting and Staying Connected with Your Neighbors (Paperback)

~ Peg Allen (Author) "When my husband and I moved from the New York area to the Midwest, it meant a lot of changes for the whole family..." (more)
Key Phrases: betting round, progressive dinners, Monterey Jack, Fourth of July, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Although there are other titles on potluck dinners, backyard barbecues, and similar themes, Allen's clever book is likely to strike a chord with many readers seeking "connection" in these often anxious times. She does include the block parties and poker nights of the title, but she goes beyond such occasions, starting with a section on "Breaking the Ice," which includes suggestions on how to welcome a new neighbor or how to meet the neighbors if you're new (or not so new), and finishing with "Good Times and Bad," which includes ideas and comfort food for "the tough times," ways to resolve a conflict with a neighbor or deal with other such crises, and more. The recipes are fairly standard-there are many old favorites here-but they are usually simple and many of them are easy to make for a crowd. Recommended for most collections.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Across the country, folks are rediscovering potluck parties, progressive dinners, and other neighborhood gatherings as a way to forge bonds that endure long after the last dish is cleared away. From small, adults-only get-togethers to neighborhood extravaganzas, Block Parties and Poker Nights has dozens of creative ideas, for fun, fulfilling community events and the tried-and-true dishes that make them so memorable.

* Recipes for soup buffets, salad bars, and backyard barbecues *
* Welcome baskets for new neighbors and homemade treats to share *
* Tips on foods that travel well *
* Ways to support families in times of need with reheatable comfort food *
* Celebrations for all seasons, from Fourth of July bashes to Kentucky Derby parties*
* Suggestions for starting treasured holiday traditions like caroling parties and cookie exchanges *
* And, everything you need to know to throw a blow-out block party with all the trimmings *

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Clarkson Potter; 1 edition (August 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609807889
• ISBN-13: 978-0609807880
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #366,379 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #75 in

  Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Special Occasions > Tablesetting

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Run, Don't Walk - Away!, November 24, 2002

By A Customer

I read the other reviews before I wrote this, and I couldn't help but notice that NOT ONE of the "reviewers" said anything about the recipes. Why? Because they are terrible! Let me explain: I am a cookbook reader, collector, cook and baker. I read/review and try cookbooks ALL THE TIME. This cookbook is terrible! The recipes just do not work - and I've tried a lot of them.
As far as ideas go, if you want to get really chummy with your neighbors, then buy this book - that's where it gets 2 stars from me.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for new neighbors, April 5, 2003

By A Customer

My family recently moved into our first home in the suburbs. We're on a very busy street without sidewalks so none of the kids on the block knew each other. This book has really helped us learn how to connect to our new neighbors. We started throwing neighborhood parties for all occassions, and the kids on the block finally know each other.
This book has so many fun and inventive ideas, adorable drawings, and easy recipes that work well for crowds. Three new families have moved in this year and the book has given us wonderful ideas to welcome them! (We now bring welcome baskets that include a list of important places in the area.) I wish someone in the neighoborhood had read this book before we had moved in!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great ideas: good recipes, November 28, 2008

By	kiwanissandy "Go Bucks!" (Heart of Ohio) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm not sure what the other person was talking about that the recipes are not very good. I thought they were all easy to prepare and quite tasty. They're not great but they were good and typical party fare. The 4th of July party had some awesome ideas, great party tips and food to go along with it. The All-South BBQ rub was really good. We've used it several times and not just for summer parties.

The cookie exchange we've done several times over the years and it's become a church favorite. We don't use all the ideas but those ideas branch off into other ideas.

Overall a worthy cookbook and many good recipes.