simplifies the planning
Patricia Mendez
ISBN: 9780979956409
Maple Heights Press, 2008
Reviewed by Helen Boling for ReviewYourBook.com, 10/08
4 stars
Easy Entertaining for Beginners is one of those books that everyone can use. The inexperienced host will appreciate the detailed steps to preparing the meal and the menu which pairs foods that go together. The experienced entertainer will appreciate the great recipes and the way Mendez simplifies the planning stage.
The color photos are fantastic. Too many cookbooks leave out the photos or use poor quality ones. The cover of this book has candles, shrimp, and margaritas. The colors are bright.
I must begin this review though by stating that I live in a small, rural town. The county is dry, and most people would not consider serving alcoholic beverages in their home. My first thought was-- why so much alcohol? However, moving on to the food the recipes in chapter 3 sounds delicious, but when serving in-laws, I prefer to keep it simple.
Chapter 4 was my favorite. Tea with friends is always fun. The recipes are wonderful. I could not wait to try several. All were easy and delicious. I refuse to allow my girls to look at the chapter on Mother's Day Brunch. I am afraid they would try it, and I hate fish! Each chapter includes a menu and a systematic checklist. I really like the checklist. Patricia Mendez includes useful items to have on hand and an index. Overall, I like this cookbook. There are several recipes that I have not tried yet that are tempting my taste buds.
Complete Entertaining Guide
There are a number of things I like about this book:
* The checklist of preparations that tell you when to do what.
* It is a very attractive book with a user-friendly format.
* The color section is great. It is always nice to know what a recipe should look like when it is prepared.
* The tips for successful hosting and mistakes to avoid are really helpful whether you are a new cook, or an experienced host or hostess.
* I really like this complete guide to 13 delicious menus.
This is welcome guide to cooking and entertaining.
Not Just For Beginners
I am not new to entertaining, but I am a cookbook collector and avid cook. I am always on the lookout for great books to give to others to encourage them to know how fun and easy entertaining can be - this book accomplishes that BETTER than any book I've ever come across! Each chapter's theme includes a preface, menus, checklists, tips and even etiquette - it's much more thorough than any book I've ever seen. Even if you are a seasoned entertainer, it's got great ideas all laid out for you and if you are new to entertaining it lives up to it's title of "Easy Entertaining." For our benefit, Patricia Mendez's experience and expertise seem to be wonderfully encapsulated in this easy to follow and thorough book. As an added bonus, look in the book for the address of the author's website for amazing additional information as well!
A Must Read for Anyone Who Wants to go Beyond Chips and Salsa!
I love to entertain, but I'll be the first to admit that I'm stuck in a rut. Patricia Mendez's book is the perfect book for every host ... from the beginner who doesn't know what to do to the person who wants to move beyond the usual appetizers. What I love most is the checklist for each theme (I'm a slave to lists), the optional shortcuts (such as picking up some store made items) and the mistakes to avoid. Great themes will leave your guests thinking you're a genius.
A Great Help for the Not-So-Newlywed!
I finally broke down and bought a book to help me with my cocktail parties. I wanted to do just a little more than offer Cosco food platters at my get-togethers. Patricia's book has opened my eyes to to the true meaing of entertaining. My husband and I hosted our first "real" party and it was so easy to plan and prepare for and it was way more fun than anything we've done in the past. I'm on my way to true entertaining and can't wait for our next party. The recipies in this book were super easy and delicious that everyone thought I had it catered. I can't wait to give this as a gift for my girlfriend's upcoming bridal shower. Thanks for writing this book!
