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Lisa
Messinger's
Cookbook Corner
 Desperation
Entertaining!
by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross (Workman)
Buy
the book
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.
Buy
the book
RECIPES:
BLT
DIP
PEARS
WITH CINNAMON-CARAMEL SAUCE
Visit
the Cookbook
Corner for additional reviews
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