Binding: Paperback Dewey Decimal Number: 642.4 EAN: 9781558322608 ISBN: 1558322604 Label: Harvard Common Press Manufacturer: Harvard Common Press Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 704 Publication Date: October 05, 2005 Publisher: Harvard Common Press Release Date: October 05, 2005 Sales Rank: 9796 Studio: Harvard Common Press
Product DescriptionHow do you throw a party without stressing out? Plan ahead and do-ahead. This entertaining guide from Diane Phillips, the Diva of Do-Ahead, with help you get out of the kitchen and into your own party. She presents nearly 500 recipes that can all be made ahead of time--some days and even weeks--that taste delicious, and are designed to be served buffet style. Handy icons show which recipes are just right for a backyard barbecue, an elegant cocktail party, or an all-night blow-out bash. Dozens of menu suggestions, templates for figuring out the menu range and quantities, easy decorating tips, and guidelines for stocking a bar complete this essential guide to entertaining.
What Others Say
Truly Perfect Party Book
I was preparing a dinner party for 14 people for my husbands 5oth birthday. I wanted to cook the dinner, but I also wanted to enjoy the party! Perfect Party Food: All the Recipes and Tips You'll Ever Need for Stress-Free Entertaining from the Diva of Do-Ahead was perfect! I used it for everything from the appetizers through desserts. It gives you great menu options in the back. I looked through them and selected my favorites and created my own menu. I was able to make ahead everything up to some point - my favorite part was truly the "Do Ahead Diva". The biggest hit...bread pudding (which I cooked in muffin tins) with macadamian caramel sauce! Won't plan another party without Perfect Party Food: All the Recipes and Tips You'll Ever Need for Stress-Free Entertaining from the Diva of Do-Ahead!
It has made parties so much easier!!!!
I have only made one thing in here I did not like; The Cubano sandwich, it was dry and hard to eat. Otherwise everything has been great. Mama D's margaritas have made it so I am not stuck at the blender during parties. The Tortalini Skewers were great, as was the marinated shrimp dish. I used to be scrambling at the last minute at parties because I like to make most of my own food. The last party I had, almost everything was from Perfect Party Food: All the Recipes and Tips You'll Ever Need for Stress-Free Entertaining from the Diva of Do-Ahead and it was the first time I was done in the kitchen when the first guests arrived (well maybe 5 or 10 minutes after that). I am going to see if she has added anymore books like this. The only drawback is no pretty pictures, but I think it is worth it to have so many recipes!
missing some options
I am disappointed.
Many of the recipes seem oversimplified (e.g. the chili is missing any fresh veggies) and are all terribly high in fat content.
There is not a single vegetarian entree in the book and many of the veggie side-dishes are sprinkled with ham, bacon, or other forms of meat.
This would be good for a heavy carnivore/new cook... but, doesn't add to my repertoire (and I am not an awesome cook).
Lots of ideas to consider
The do-ahead tips really help when trying to pull of a big party or event while keeping the last minute "to do" list as short as possible. There is quite a variety of recipes inside, almost anything you could think of - maybe almost too overwhelming if you don't have anything in mind.
Excited to use
Purchased and haven't used yet. Looking through the book it has some really great ideas and I can't wait to try some of them. I only gave it 4 stars because I haven't actually tried any of the recipes yet. I need to plan a party now so I can use Perfect Party Food: All the Recipes and Tips You'll Ever Need for Stress-Free Entertaining from the Diva of Do-Ahead!
