Product Description

This book is the follow-up to the successful Perfect Party Food. Happy Holidays from the Diva-of Do-Ahead brings the same how-to and do-ahead approach to creating menus for 12 holidays-with special emphasis on Thanksgiving and Christmas-as well as tips on recipe variations, decorating, and serving. Featuring a beautiful 16-page color photo insert, this is the perfect book for anyone who wants to take the stress out of entertaining and enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #132555 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-15
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The self-proclaimed Diva of Do-Ahead says she is "the coach to help you get the dinner prepared ahead of time so you can enjoy your family and friends." Her point: what fun is a party when the harried host is stuck in the kitchen? The thorough and engaging Diva comes through, offering creative ideas for invitations, tips for deciding how much food to make and recommendations for equipment and tools. Her 12 party plans span the year, from New Year's Eve through Passover to Christmas. Do-ahead countdowns have specifics for planning ahead (from six months down to five minutes before an event). Classic recipes include Grilled Lemon Chicken Breast; innovative ones include Roasted Tomato and Pesto Cheesecake with Polenta Crust, and Creamy Corn Bisque with French Chives and Heart-Shaped Crostini. Highlights come from the Thanksgiving and Christmas classes she's taught for 15 years, including an impressive strategy for the perfect roast turkey. The book's clear language and devotion to detail make it appropriate for novices and accomplished cooks alike. (Oct.)
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About the Author
Diane Phillips has been teaching her easy, elegant, do-ahead approach to parties and holiday get-togethers at cooking schools around the country for more than 15 years. She is a spokesperson for Lipton Recipe Secrets and the author of several cookbooks, including Perfect Party Food, The Ultimate Rotisserie Cookbook, and The Soup Mix Gourmet. She is also the author of The Perfect Basket: How to Make a Fabulous Gift Basket for Any Occasion.

Customer Reviews

No kitchen should be without it!
Diane Phillips' Happy Holidays cookbook has become one of my favorites (and I have a collection of about 200 cookbooks). I love to cook for friends and family, but also like to be able to spend time visiting with them. I've tried three of Diane's complete meals (appetizers through desserts) and have not only found every recipe to be delicious and attractive, but was able to do the majority of preparation well ahead of time. Although I'm retired, it's great for working folks also because you can do a dish every couple of evenings, freeze or refrigerate them, depending on the dish, and just add the last minute touches on the day of your dinner. I've gotten rave reviews on each of her 'feasts' and look forward to cooking more of them.

Great ideas for do ahead entertaining!
This is a great book with ideas for recipes to do ahead of time. Last night I made rice for a party I'm having in a few weeks.

Outstanding guide to preparing great feasts
I'm an experienced cook but I bought this book for assistance in learning how to do more of my cooking in advance of a party, etc. Philips more than delivers on her promises, offering thoughtful, delicious menus with recipes that don't cut the corners on flavor or excellence. Most of the recipes can be adapted by an experienced cook to your own favorite recipes. I found it invaluable to learn what can and can't be done in advance, definitely making entertaining easier and more enjoyable.