Cocktail Food: 50 Finger Foods with Attitude (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Lori Lyn Narlock (Author, Contributor), (Author), Carin Krasner (Author, Photographer) "The recipes are divided into chapters based on the flavor intensity of the ingredients so that they will complement a potable's potency..." (more)
Key Phrases: teaspoon kosher salt, refrigerate until chilled, medium nonstick skillet

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If your party planning has you paralyzed by visions of serving pimiento loaf paired with the Pi˜a Coladas, fear not. Sophisticated help is on the way with Cocktail Food, a collection of 50 intriguing, anything-but-ordinary hors d'oeuvres compiled and tested by sisters Mary Corpening Barber and Sara Corpening Whiteford, with collaborator Lori Lyn Narlock. In an easy-to-follow, uncluttered format perfect for the moderately accomplished kitchen hand, the authors present globally influenced recipes to pair with a wide range of libations.

Suggested snacks to serve with "travel agents"--those brolly-festooned tropical drinks that instantly transport you to de eye-lind, mahn--include Figs in a Blanket, a gorgeous canvas of fresh fig and Gorgonzola brushed with balsamic and walnut oil, then wrapped in prosciutto; and 'ZA!, mini-English-muffin pizzas with Cambozola and sun-dried tomatoes.

Some recipes require minimal prep or cook time. Spear Ecstasy, asparagus with a lemon-tarragon dip, and the Caprese Skewers--made with cherry tomato, mozzarella, and basil--are simplicity itself. But working with phyllo dough, a key ingredient in Mary's Little Lambs, has driven more than one talented amateur chef to swill down the cooking sherry. And a couple of the recipes could get spendy for your little clambake: the authors launch a preemptive strike at anyone intending to substitute lumpfish in their Eggstravaganza! by calling for high-quality caviar. But perhaps a question posed on the back of the book's dust jacket says it best: "Would Holly Golightly settle for chips and dip?" Maybe Tiffany's is no longer serving breakfast, but armed with Cocktail Food, they'd lay on one heck of a happy hour. --Tony Mason

Review

I may have been only six, but I knew the best thing about my parents' parties was the hors d'oeuvres: cheese puffs, stuffed mushroom caps, pigs nestled doughy blankets. Twenty-six years later, I'm still crazy for finger food, but scallops n' bacon and cheddar pinwheels just won't cut it anymore.

Good thing I found Cocktail Food: 50 finger foods with attitude, the latest offspring from San Francisco caterers Mary Corpening Barber and Sara Corpening Whiteford (with Lori Lyn Narlock), the twin dream team who brought us the best selling and . Smart, stylish bites from big and bold to light and delicate included the cleverly titled Vietnamese Wrapture (ground pork with hoisin, mint, and basil wrapped in rice paper), Sorry, Charlie (spicy tuna tartare on wonton squares), Leaves of Glory (Parmesan-basil aioli on artichoke leaves), and Figs in a Blanket (fresh figs with gorgonzola and prosciutto), a complete rehab of the mini hot dog classic. The recipes were easy enough for this non-chef to follow, the do-ahead suggestions kept me from slaving in the kitchen during my own soir e, and the planning tips how much booze to buy, how to balance flavors and textures transformed me into a hostess even my husband didn't recognize me. Move over, Martha.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 132 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811824187
• ISBN-13: 978-0811824187
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #204,357 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great hor's d'oeuvres, easy to do, September 23, 1999

By	Diane Morgan (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Like with their other two books, SMOOTHIES, and WRAPS, this twin cooking team present easy yet exciting ideas. As caterers, these two know guests like bold, bright flavors that come in one bite. This book offers their best ideas and recipes for the home cook that doesn't happen to have a caterer in the kitchen. Love the vietnamese wratures, the uno mas quesadillas, caprese skewers, and rosemary tartlets. There is no shortage of recipes to try for the holiday season ahead.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars dissappointing, January 10, 2001

By A Customer

Although the other reviews were excellent, I found this book a little dissapointing. I did not find the recipes innovative, they had cute names but many were ones I have done or seen in the past. I also thought it was an incredibly small book. The size could have been disappointing to me since I paid full price through a cookbook club. For around twenty dollars I expect a book with enough recipes that I can not carry it around in my purse. I did like how they divided the chapters with complimenting flavors together so people can easily do themes or plan their menus with more ease. I also liked the introduction when they went into detail about planning, for example the number pieces needed per hour per person and work organization.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally...., January 18, 2000

By	Michelle Hapgood (Miami, Florida) - See all my reviews

This recipes in this book are immaginative and inspiring. I have been looking for one book that has fun new recipes and unique presentations that will "wow" my friends and I have finally found it. This book has the latest trends with easy to do recipes.... I highly recommend this for people who truly love food and have fun entertaining! I would like to see more from these authors!