Happy Holidays from the Diva of Do-Ahead: A Year of Feasts to Celebrate with Family and Friends (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The self-proclaimed Diva of Do-Ahead says she is "the coach to help you get the dinner prepared ahead of time so you can enjoy your family and friends." Her point: what fun is a party when the harried host is stuck in the kitchen? The thorough and engaging Diva comes through, offering creative ideas for invitations, tips for deciding how much food to make and recommendations for equipment and tools. Her 12 party plans span the year, from New Year's Eve through Passover to Christmas. Do-ahead countdowns have specifics for planning ahead (from six months down to five minutes before an event). Classic recipes include Grilled Lemon Chicken Breast; innovative ones include Roasted Tomato and Pesto Cheesecake with Polenta Crust, and Creamy Corn Bisque with French Chives and Heart-Shaped Crostini. Highlights come from the Thanksgiving and Christmas classes she's taught for 15 years, including an impressive strategy for the perfect roast turkey. The book's clear language and devotion to detail make it appropriate for novices and accomplished cooks alike. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

This book is the follow-up to the James Beard Award-nominated Perfect Party Food. In Happy Holidays from the Diva of Do-Ahead, Diane Phillips brings her trademark do-ahead approach to creating delicious menus for 12 holiday celebrations—from a backyard bash for Father’s Day to an elegant Passover Seder. With special emphasis on Thanksgiving and Christmas, each holiday features one or more make-ahead menus, plus recipe variations and tips on table settings, decorations, guest lists, estimating beverage amounts, and more. Featuring a beautiful 16-page color photo insert and 125 foolproof recipes, this is an invaluable book for both novice cooks and seasoned entertainers looking to take the stress out of entertaining and enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harvard Common Press (September 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155832321X
• ISBN-13: 978-1558323216
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,366 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #49 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Special Occasions > Holidays
  #93 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Culinary Arts & Techniques

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Discerning Foodie, January 5, 2007

By	Julie D. Kravetz (Andover, ma) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I hope Dianne is enjoying her yacht on the Riveria. This book was so fabulous that I bought it for at least twenty friends and family. The book is extremely reliable, easy and very inspiring. You feel as though you are getting one on one cooking coaching. It makes cooking non intimidating and fun. I used this as my holiday "bible" and sailed through with rave reviews. The book allowed me to pace myself so that I wasn't wiped at the end that being the goal and beauty of this book. I would highly recommend this for an experienced chef as well as a novice. Great job Dianne. Many Thanks!!!! This will be a party classic for years and years.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique, 'user friendly', and welcome addition, January 4, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

In "Happy Holidays From The Diva Of Do-Ahead: A Year Of Feasts To Celebrate With Family And Friends", author, chef, and caterer, Diane Phillips draws upon her more than twenty years of professional experience and expertise to compile a compendium of recipes and ideas for twelve full holiday menus for superbly prepared gourmet meals. Each individual meal menu is broken down into step-by-step preparations that can be easily accomplished in manageable stages days, weeks, and even a month or more ahead of time - all without sacrificing quality in appearance, nutrition or taste! For each menu "Happy Holidays From The Diva Of Do-Ahead" provides the kitchen cook with a helpful countdown, a list of items to have on hand, instructions on economically finding what is needed, as well as 'Diva Tips' on substitutions, decorating and presentation. From a New Year's Eve Party and a Morning-After Brunch, to Memorial Day Picnic, to a Halloween party for All Ages, "Happy Holidays From The Diva Of Do-Ahead" is a unique, 'user friendly', and welcome addition to any family or community library cookbook collection!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Cookbook, June 21, 2008

By	Hinky (Kentucky) - See all my reviews

I made the entire Thanksgiving feast in this cookbook ahead. I decided to follow the directions in this book, and a month before Thanksgiving, I spent about 5 nights preparing dishes. It was fun, and let me tell you, it was the best Thanksgiving feast imaginable. No one knew it was all made ahead.

Now, mind you, I am noted for my cooking. I was just in a crunch for time this year, and decided to do it this way. Believe me when I say, this is the way it will be done every year from now on.

Since Thanksgiving, I have made many of the recipes in this book. I have not been disappointed with one single recipe. I have raved about this book so much to my friends, that I have since begun giving this cookbook as a gift.

If you are interested in enjoying your parties, too, then I suggest you get this book and try the tips and the recipes.