Synopses & Reviews
Forget the stressful dinner party for twelve. How many home cooks really drag out the china, silver, and linen more than a few times a year these days? Mom’s very best crowd-cuisine is fun, relaxed, and informal. From a hungry group of the kids’ friends looking for afternoon munchies to a potluck office farewell party to a 4th of July barbecue for the neighborhood, today’s typical gatherings are casual occasions to share hearty, homemade food.
Mom’s Best Crowd-Pleasers is full of recipes that reflect the way Mom really cooks today, simply tailored to feed eight or more people. Cucumber Sandwiches, Quesadillas, and Sweet and Sour Meatballs are all simple finger foods perfect for after-work get-togethers, book club meetings, and informal baby showers. Muffalettas, All-American Hamburgers, and deep bowls of Summer Fruit Salad and Broccoli-Rice Salad are delicious at backyard cookouts, tailgate parties, and summer pool parties. And Three-Cheese Noodle Bake, Cuban Black Beans, and Baked Barbecued Chicken will attract happy fans whenever the potluck gathering calls for a hearty hot dish.
Most recipes are designed to feed eight hungry people, but author (and home cook) Andrea Chesman provides advice throughout on expanding recipes, stretching dishes when the dinner seating unexpectedly grows from eight to eleven people, using clever shortcuts that make cooking for a crowd no more difficult than cooking for four, and generally maintaining a degree of sanity as more people come flooding through the front door.
As always, Chesman’s primary accomplishment is to provide homey, hearty tastes that satisfy modern palates, yet still bear the unmistakable stamp of Mom’s Best.
Review
“These are homey, hearty creations with modern, updated twist - and theyre simple and accessible to any cook.”—Natalie Haughton, Los Angeles Daily News
Synopsis
Cooking for a crowd doesn t have to be stressful Andrea Chesman shows you how to perfectly predict how much food you ll need, prepare it in time, and enjoy yourself while cooking for the masses. With 101 recipes that include Three-Cheese Noodle Bake, All-American Burgers, and Chocolate Mint Ice-Cream Pie, you ll be sure to please a gaggle of even the pickiest eaters. Chesman s relaxed and fun approach to large-scale cooking will have you confidently heading up neighborhood picnics, office parties, and even wedding receptions.
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Synopsis
Todays crowd can be anything from a few extra teenagers for dinner to a wedding reception for 100 friends and relatives. Whatever the occasion demands, Moms classic recipes and tips for keeping guests happy take the stress out of entertaining. Cold Sesame Noodles, Cheesy Spinach-Artichoke Squares, Big Crowd Pasta Casserole, Grilled Chicken Wings, and Chocolate Mint Ice-Cream Pie are just a few of the offerings that ensure your success as a crowd-pleasing cook. Even if your contribution is only Old-Fashioned Lemonade for 60 thirsty picnickers, your friends and loved ones wont soon forget that someone made that extra effort to make it from scratch.
Synopsis
From a hungry group of kids looking for munchies to a potluck office party to a barbecue for the neighborhood, today's gatherings are often casual occasions that need hearty, delicious, homemade food. Mom's Best Crowd-Pleasers delivers more than 100 recipes specifically tailored to feed eight or more people. Cucumber Sandwiches, Quesadillas, and Sweet and Sour Meatballs are perfect for after-work get-togethers, book club meetings, and informal baby showers. Muffalettas, All-American Hamburgers, Summer Fruit Salad, and Broccoli-Rice Salad are delicious at backyard cookouts, tailgate parties, and pool parties. And Three-Cheese Noodle Bake, Cuban Black Beans, and Baked Barbecued Chicken will attract happy fans whenever you need a hearty hot dish. There's something here for every occasion.
About the Author
Andrea Chesman has written more than 20 cookbooks, including Storey’s Pickled Pantry, Recipes from the Root Cellar, Serving Up the Harvest, and Mom’s Best Crowd-Pleasers. She has also written a number of books on grilling, including the James Beard Award nominee The Vegetarian Grill. She has contributed to many publications including the New York Times, Cooking Light, Vegetarian Times, Fine Cooking, and many regional and local newspapers. She teaches and does cooking demonstrations and classes at fairs, festivals, book events, and garden shows across the United States. She lives in Ripton, Vermont.
Table of Contents
Preface: viii Introduction: How to Handle a Crowd: 1
Finger Foods, Snacks and Drinks for All Occasions: 9
Celebration Brunch: 33
Salads for Potlucks, Buffets & Picnics: 59
Potluck & Buffet Hot Side Dishes: 75
Main-Dish Crowd Pleasers: 91
Grilling Fun: 141
Desserts and Bake Sales: 165
Metric Conversion Chart: 190
Index: 191