Desperation Entertaining!

by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross (Workman)

Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross are extremely familiar with the look of desperation that glosses over the eyes of many hosts before a party…and during…and after. However, they are familiar with it only from afar; it's never something they see reflected on their own faces in their silver as they frantically polish it as the first guests rush the door.

That's because Mills and Ross never frantically do anything, except anticipate their next soiree. The fright and desperation left their dining rooms many, many dinners ago, in fact a couple of hundred or so, the ones they chronicled in their first bestseller, Desperation Dinners, and write about regularly in their syndicated column of the same name.

In a fun, breezy tone with appealing illustrations, Mills and Ross chattily present easy chapters on beverages, light bites, entrees, crock-pot fare (even more effortless than the book's other offerings), cookouts, salads, side dishes, brunches and desserts. Their attitude is: relax, have fun, enjoy your own party. It all stems from a good game plan.

"A game plan gives you a framework for preparing a meal without panicking," they write. "It helps you recognize which fast and fabulous recipes can be served together—without finding yourself trying to do five things simultaneously."

Of course, they don't expect you to figure this all out yourself on your first try.

They have devised minute-by-minute menus (with lots of elements that can be made ahead of time) to help in your transition. An enticing example: Golden Curry Dip; Stuffed Bacon-Cheddar Burgers, Baked Beans; and Lemon Cake Sandwiches with Strawberry Puree; or Hot Creamed Spinach Dip with Swiss Cheese; Shrimp Creole; Mandarin Salad; Corn Muffins and Pecan Pie.

By studying and emulating the recipes, you'll quickly see that Mills' and Ross' quick creativity is their hallmark. The dishes will undoubtedly draw oohs and ahhs from everyone but you who will not be making sound effects, but rather doing nothing other than grinning about how easy it all was. A few cases in point:

• BLT Dip: Chopped lettuce and tomato is stirred into a tasty bacon-enhanced garlic- and cayenne-infused dip.
• Mandarin Salad: Mandarins are expertly and easily accented by crumbled bacon, onion, almonds and a honey-onion-mustard dressing.
• Baked Party Paella: It's as simple as sliding it into the oven rather than traditionally slaving over it on the stove at the last minute.

Don't think it will be so easy to give up your time-consuming habits when it comes to entertaining? Think again. Mills and Ross are former detail junkies who were known to be spray-painting pinecones for overblown centerpieces just minutes before guests arrived. They've since atoned and have never been happier, more relaxed…or better fed.


RECIPES: BLT DIP
PEARS WITH CINNAMON-CARAMEL SAUCE

More Cookbook Reviews