Synopses & Reviews
A month-by-month culinary scrapbook that brings out the reveler in every home cook
Ali Larter is a busy actress, well known for her roles on the NBC show Heroes and in movies such as Varsity Blues and Legally Blonde. But when not on set, she is usually throwing a dinner party or entertaining at home. In fact, Ali has been cooking and entertaining all her life, and in an instant, she can whip together a wonderful meal, whether its for a family Sunday brunch, a spontaneous Super Bowl party, or an elegant (but not stuffy) New Years Eve dinner. Her parties seem effortless, but it hasn't always been that easy for her. In fact, at Alis first dinner party, she made the common rookie mistake of putting too much pressure on herself to make things perfect. Needless to say, with hungry guests, a burned hand, a broken air conditioner, and a mouse scampering across her fourth-floor New York City walk-up, the night ended in disaster.
Through the years of trial and error, Ali has learned that while looking effortless takes some effort, cooking is not about being perfect—it's about having a great time! And now shes eager to share her passion and knowledge for cooking, collecting her favorite go-to menus into this wonderful cookbook: from her jalapeño cheddar cornbread to crab pots with lemon caper dip, lamb chop lollipops, strawberry mint cake, and for thirsty revelers, her eucalyptus gin martinis.
Ali's mouthwatering recipes and inspiring party ideas are broken down by month so you can take her lead through the seasons with celebrations such as an October Harvest Party, a January Detox, and a July Americana BBQ. Brimming with charm, beautiful and intimate photos, and Ali's personal touch as a perfectly disheveled, sassy, effortless host, Kitchen Revelry will enliven and inspire your celebrations for years to come.
Review
"
Kitchen Revelry is a perfect reflection of that quintessential dinner party—all your favorite friends at one table, toasts made with perfectly concocted cocktails, and conversations that are as savored as the cuisine itself. If anyone knows how to throw that party, it's Ali! Congrats on a beautiful book." —
Giada De Laurentiis"As I read through the pages of Kitchen Revelry, I began to smile as well as get extremely hungry. I started imagining which friends I would cook which dishes for. Ali's ideas and recipes are fun, well explained, and easy to perfectly execute, taking the stress out of the whole process leaving you to not only host your party but enjoy it as well, which is the point after all, isn't it!" —Johnny Iuzzini, James Beard Award-winning pastry chef and author of Dessert Fourplay
Synopsis
A month-by-month culinary scrapbook that brings out the reveler in every home cook
Ali Larter is a busy actress, well known for her roles on the NBC show Heroes and in movies such as Varsity Blues and Legally Blonde. But when not on set, she is usually throwing a dinner party or entertaining at home. In fact, Ali has been cooking and entertaining all her life, and in an instant, she can whip together a wonderful meal, whether it's for a family Sunday brunch, a spontaneous Super Bowl party, or an elegant (but not stuffy) New Year's Eve dinner. Her parties seem effortless, but it hasn't always been that easy for her. In fact, at Ali's first dinner party, she made the common rookie mistake of putting too much pressure on herself to make things perfect. Needless to say, with hungry guests, a burned hand, a broken air conditioner, and a mouse scampering across her fourth-floor New York City walk-up, the night ended in disaster.
Through the years of trial and error, Ali has learned that while looking effortless takes some effort, cooking is not about being perfect--it's about having a great time And now she's eager to share her passion and knowledge for cooking, collecting her favorite go-to menus into this wonderful cookbook: from her jalapeno cheddar cornbread to crab pots with lemon caper dip, lamb chop lollipops, strawberry mint cake, and for thirsty revelers, her eucalyptus gin martinis.
Ali's mouthwatering recipes and inspiring party ideas are broken down by month so you can take her lead through the seasons with celebrations such as an October Harvest Party, a January Detox, and a July Americana BBQ. Brimming with charm, beautiful and intimate photos, and Ali's personal touch as a perfectly disheveled, sassy, effortless host, Kitchen Revelry will enliven and inspire your celebrations for years to come.
Synopsis
A month by month culinary scrapbook with a party twist by actress and Hollywood home cook, Ali Larter
Ali Larter is well-known for her starring roles in the hit NBC show Heroes and movies like Varsity Blues, Legally Blonde, Resident Evil, and Obsessed. What Hollywood-insiders also know about Larter is her talent in the kitchen and her famous parties for Tinseltown friends. In an instant, she can whip together fabulous Sunday brunches, superbowl parties, and her famous New Year's nights to remember.
From her humble New Jersey roots through her travels around the world, Larter has been cooking and entertaining all her life, and now shes eager to share her passion. In Kitchen Revelry, Larter brings us more than one hundred of her favorite recipes, including her jalapeño cheddar skillet cornbread, crab pots with lemon caper dip, lambchop lollipops, strawberry mint cake, and for thirsty revelers, her eucalyptus gin martinis. Larters mouthwatering recipes and inspiring party ideas are broken down by month so you can take her lead through the seasons with celebrations like an October Harvest Party, a January Detox, and a July BBQ.
Brimming with personality, beautiful and intimate photos, and Larter's personal touch as a perfectly disheveled, sassy, classy, effortless host, Kitchen Revelry makes for a fun, refreshing cookbook and guide to entertaining.
About the Author
ALI LARTER is an actress and year-round reveler. She lives in Hollywood Hills where she hosts her ritual dinner parties and legendary get-togethers. As a homecook, Ali has been on Rachel Ray and Top Chef Masters. Ali shares her celebrations with her husband, Hayes MacArthur; her son, Teddy; Jackpot the shepherd; and Ella, the wheaton.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
September
Cooking School
Vodka Martini with Cerignola Olive
Charcuterie
Classic French Omelet
Shallot Vinaigrette with Simple Salad
Roasted Chicken
Turkey Braciole
New York Steak with Herb Butter
Ricotta Meatballs with Chianti Sauce
Cauliflower-Reggiano Puree
German Chocolate Cupcakes
Savoring the Last Bites of Summer
Agua Fresca
Shrimp with Feta and Mint
Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam
Balsamic Fig Chutney
October
Harvest Party
Pinot Noir
Butternut soup with crispy sage
Kale salad with pecorino and truffle vinaigrette
Short ribs with grated horseradish
Cauliflower reggiano puree
Apple crostata with Aged Gouda
Full Moon Party
Oak leaf lettuce Salad with balsamic vinaigrette
Largered Turkey Chili
Jalapeno cheddar skillet cornbread with maple syrup drizzle
Spiked Hot Chocolate
November
Out of Town Guest
Ginger carrot muffins
Skillet Eggs with smoked bacon and spinach
Berries with yogurt and mint
Espresso affogato
Friends Thanksgiving
Butternut squash soup
Kale salad with pecorino and truffle vinaigrette
Herb buttered turkey with clementines
Cranberries with orange zest
Buttermilk mashed potatoes
Rustic Sausage and fennel stuffing
Green bean casserole with wild mushrooms
Pumpkin pie with gingersnap cookie crust
Next Day Turkey Soup
December
Tree Trimming Cocktail Party
Eucalyptus gin Martinis
Charcuterie
Pancetta gougeres
Endive spears with truffle honey
Dark chocolate fondue with kettle chips
Candy cane crunch cookies
New Years Eve Dinner
Champagne and Buttery Chardonnays
Fondue with Sunchokes
Crab pots with Lemon Aioli
Champagne lobster risotto
Winter lettuces topped pomegranate seeds
Port wine poached pears
January
Detox
Beet and carrot juice
Green juice with lemon
Pineapple, cucumber, coconut water and mint
Arugula with Beets and Blood Oranges
Carrot ginger soup
Almond milk, dates, cinnamon and nutmeg
Almond meal cookies
Lavender and Lime Salt Scrub
Ylang Ylang Sugar Scrub
Exotic Supper
Chai tea latte
Warm spiced olives
Carrots with Savory Yogurt
Moroccan Tagine with preserved lemons
Apricot couscous
Vegan chocolate truffles
February
Couples Valentines
Charcuterie
Caesar salad with homemade croutons
Gourmet pizzas
Dark chocolate fondue with strawberries
Super Bowl
Bloody Mary Bar
Stilton Dip with Crisp Celery
Goat Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos
Chicken Cheesesteaks with Caramelized Onions and Fennel
Good Girl Gone Bad Cookie Shakes
March
Movie Night Meals
Tlapeno soup
Sizzling Brown rice bowls
Eggplant towers with ground lamb and yogurt sauce
Filet with Au Poivre Sauce
Nutella macaroons
Slumber Party
Whiskey Sours
Buttermilk ranch wedge
Kettle chip and crème fraiche baked onion rings
Ultimate Whiskey Bacon cheeseburger
Macadamia nut cookies (Candy Cane crunch with different flavors)
April
Alfresco Lunch
Blush Lemonade
Baby Macs Organic Granola
Spring Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Fresh Mint
Ficelle Sandwiches with Roasted Turkey, Brie, and Fig Chutney
Spring Clothing Swap
Sauvignon Blanc
Charcuterie
Mushroom medley on olive crostini
Mache with truffle vinaigrette
Scallops with jalapeno on purple sticky rice
May
Earth Mother Brunch
Peppermint and Lemon Verbena Tea
White Peach Bellini
Crudités with Arugula Pesto
Crostini with Smashed Pea Puree and Pecorino
Lump Crab in Lettuce Cups
Leek and Asparagus Crustless Quiche
Triple Berry Buttermilk Upside Down Cake
Bar Was a Bust
Goat Cheese with Olive Tapenade
Spinach Salad with Pancetta Vinaigrette
Roasted Tomato Linguine
Lemon Sgroppino
June
Wine Tasting
French Wines
Charcuterie
Crudités
Butter Lettuce with Shallot Vinaigrette
Bouillabaisse with Saffron Aioli Crostini
Plum Tarte Tatin
El Diablo
Jalapeño Margarita
Guacamole Salsa
Poblano Chorizo Quesadillas
Mahi Mahi Tacos with Nectarine Salsa
Slaw with Toasted Pepitas
Tequila-Marinated Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon
July
Americana BBQ
Tequila, lime agave and club soda
Colorful heirlooms with crumbled bleu
French Potato salad
BBQ chicken with Jersey peach BBQ sauce
Grilled asparagus and Portobello mushroom
Corn of the cob with herb butter
Blueberry crumble and vanilla ice cream
Dusk on the Patio
Lillet
Halibut with romesco sauce and fingerling potatoes
Zucchini carpaccio with manchego
Berries with spiked whip
August
Midsummer Nights Dream
Rosé Champagne with Vodka-Infused Raspberries
Fig ,Mascarpone, and Prosciutto Crostini
Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Bruschetta
Ratatouille with Reggiano
Lamb Chop Lollipops
Strawberry Mint Cake
Tuesday Night No Reason
Tsing Tao
Lime Cup Shooters
BLTs with Burrata and Pickled Onions
Melon Gazpacho
Index
Acknowledgments