Product Description

The queen of vegetarian hip is back! Convinced that entertaining doesn't have to be high-stress or high-maintenance, Didi Emmons presents an alternative view: the best parties aren't meticulously planned. Crammed with innovative ideas for delightfully informal gatherings and hundreds of globally inspired, big-flavored vegetarian recipes, Entertaining for a Veggie Planet proves that having friends over — whether for the season finale of a favorite TV show or for a book group discussion — is not only easy, it's fun. From dips and cold bites (Malaysian Spring Rolls) to main dishes (Shiitake Mac 'n' Cheese), from brunch (Cardamon Blueberry Cake) to "sweet eats" (Oreo Key Lime Pie), Emmons's dishes offer endless possibilities for vegetarians, vegans, and anyone else in search of a satisfying meal. Her creative menus ("Vegetarian Solutions to Turkey Day") and her spirit of fun ("if you're serving only one food, make it homemade ice cream") will put all cooks in the mood to share.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #381032 in Books
• Published on: 2003-06-27
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Emmons (Vegetarian Planet) comes to the rescue for vegetarian dinner-party hosts with this guide to orchestrating intimate gatherings or large parties with food so good the guests won't notice it's meatless. Sound principles are at work here: parties exist so you can "feed people (yourself included)" and "enjoy people (yourself included)." Emmons gives tips on making dips (Greek Skordalia, Roasted Red Pepper Dip) and crudites, using salads (Green Bean-Sweet Potato Salad with Peanut Dressing, Mango Slaw) as buffet centerpieces, and buying pre-made snacks at Asian groceries. Festive touches, like beets for Pink Eggs and "Seizing" Hot Fudge Sauce (it hardens over ice cream) add creativity without hardship. There's even an ingenious "miraculously cheap wedding for fifty in ten easy steps" sidebar that includes tea sandwiches and brie with currant jelly and pecans. Even if you're just entertaining your kids, they'll enjoy Sloppy Joes and Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls. Plentiful tofu and seitan recipes will satisfy vegans. There are chapters on "intimate gatherings," brunches, pizzas, risottos, and sweets and drinks, although no comprehensive beverage chapter. Main courses like Spaghetti with Green Olive Pesto and Spinach, Crunchy Chickpea, and Hazelnut Ragout are piquant yet easy to make. With sidebars on such topics as the great Turkey day conundrum, how to make inexpensive centerpieces and how to get people to help out, this is exactly what veggie hosts need in order to plan, execute and, most importantly, enjoy their own parties.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Publishers Weekly : "Exactly what veggie hosts need in order to plan, execute, and most importantly, enjoy their own parties." -Publishers Weekly

Library Journal : "...ways to make entertaining easy and fun are offered throughout. For most collections." -Library Journal.

"Whether you are a steadfast vegetarian or simply searching for meatless alternatives, Entertaining for a Veggie Planet may inspire many of yoru holiday celebrations"--Cookbook Digest

Review
"...ways to make entertaining easy and fun are offered throughout. For most collections." -Library Journal.

Customer Reviews

They don't get much better than this
People who know Didi through the food in her restaurants will be shocked to find out how easy she makes it to cook the bold flavors she puts into her dishes. I LOVE this book. I find myself using other cookbooks less and less, and using this one for guests, parties, and simple meals at home. I think if this book had a different title and cover it would have received the popularity it deserves.

way beyond standard veggie fare
Both of Didi Emmons cookbooks are among my most reliable recipe sources. As someone who's been a vegetarian for years and who also cooks for serious carnivores, I love that I can find recipes that pair ingredients I would not come up with on my own. Favorite recipes in this book include cambodian tomato soup, pomegranate walnut dip (muhammara,) hazelnut mushroom burgers,and chard and eggplant salad.

entertaining for a veggie planet
the best recipe book i have ever read and used