Synopses & Reviews
The clink of glasses, the popping of corks, the spirited chatter of good friends-what more does an impromptu get-together need? Why, fabulous snacks, of course! With Cocktail Food, you can kiss those boring raw veggies goodbye because the best-selling authors of Smoothies and Wraps are whipping up bite-size delights like Shrimply Delish, Wonton Wonders, and Chive Talkin' Scallops. Voil! A humdrum happy hour turns into a glamorous soire. Cocktail Food takes the jitters out of entertaining with simple yet stylish recipes, plus great party-planning tips and fun theme ideasfrom Highball Sprees to Frozen F'tes. Let the good times roll!
Review
I may have been only six, but I knew the best thing about my parents' parties was the hors d'oeuvres: cheese puffs, stuffed mushroom caps, pigs nestled doughy blankets. Twenty-six years later, I'm still crazy for finger food, but scallops n' bacon and cheddar pinwheels just won't cut it anymore.
Good thing I found Cocktail Food: 50 finger foods with attitude, the latest offspring from San Francisco caterers Mary Corpening Barber and Sara Corpening Whiteford (with Lori Lyn Narlock), the twin dream team who brought us the best selling and. Smart, stylish bites from big and bold to light and delicate included the cleverly titled Vietnamese Wrapture (ground pork with hoisin, mint, and basil wrapped in rice paper), Sorry, Charlie (spicy tuna tartare on wonton squares), Leaves of Glory (Parmesan-basil aioli on artichoke leaves), and Figs in a Blanket (fresh figs with gorgonzola and prosciutto), a complete rehab of the mini hot dog classic. The recipes were easy enough for this non-chef to follow, the do-ahead suggestions kept me from slaving in the kitchen during my own soir e, and the planning tips how much booze to buy, how to balance flavors and textures transformed me into a hostess even my husband didn't recognize me. Move over, Martha.
About the Author
Mary Corpening Barber and Sara Corpening Whiteford are identical twin sisters and the acclaimed owners of Thymes Two Catering in San Francisco.
Lori Lyn Narlock is a San Francisco-based writer and editor. Her work has appeared in such publications as Bon Appetit and the San Francisco Chronicle
Mary Corpening Barber and Sara Corpening Whiteford are identical twin sisters and the acclaimed owners of Thymes Two Catering in San Francisco.
Carin Krasner is a photographer whose work has appeared in many national magazines. She lives in Los Angeles.