MrsK Books: Martha Stewart's Appetizers

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Martha Stewart's Appetizers

ISBN: 9780307954626

Publisher's Synopsis:

Snacks, Starters, Small Plates, Stylish Bites, and Sips

Hors d’oeuvres made modern: Today’s style of entertaining calls for fuss-free party foods that are easy to make and just as delicious as ever. With more than 200 recipes for tasty pre-dinner bites, substantial small plates, special-occasion finger foods, and quick snacks to enjoy with drinks, Martha Stewart’s Appetizers is the new go-to guide for any type of get-together.

"Now we are pleased to bring to you a new collection of recipes

that reflects the new "casualness" we are all

witnessing in home entertaining,

a welcome relaxed approach to the serving of pre-dinner snacks,

appetite enhancers, and small plates,

accompanied by an interesting panoply of festive, flavorful cocktails

that are easy to make and fun to serve."

MrsK's Review:

Yum to the fullest! Within these pages you will discover a "bounty" of suggestions, simply delectable recipes, photos, hosting hints, and a feeling of success... an energy that inspires you to begin opening your home to festive evenings with friends and family.

Beginning with the "Golden Rules" for hosting a party, you are provided great tips and strategies for welcoming your company into your home.

Snacks: Quick snacking is always a favorite touch from the moment your guests arrive, through out the gathering, and well into your cleanup. These appetizers will be a welcomed "nibble":

Frico and Broiled Feta (pg.14): a "light" chip with dip that will be snacked quickly with much delight and conversation
Mini Cheese Biscuits (pg.22): perfect for a small gathering, a gaming event, or a quiet movie night
Edamame with Chile Salt (pg.26): warm and spicy "healthy" snacking (serve with the roasted spiced chickpeas pg.27)
Salsas (pg.31): simple and quick "on-the-spot" goodness (share a variety with olive spreads pg.43 and Guacamole pg.64)

Starters: Munching bites that entice any guest while your meal is filling your home with savory smells of goodness:

Winter Crudities with Buttermilk Dip (pg.54): refreshingly crisp igniting any palate
Croquettes (pg.67): warm fried Yukon Gold nuggets
Grilled Brie with Tomato Jam (pg79): grill a baguette, slice it and tantalize every guest with warm cheese and tomato jam
Fried Sweet-Potato Ravioli (pg.87): comfort food for a winter's gathering

Small Plates: Finger foods like sliders are a delight in any gathering. Quick and easy "stuffers" that will fill any guest with a hearty and hefty satisfaction:

Sliders (pgs.112-115): not just beef bites... consider Greek Lamb or Salmon or left over Turkey sliders... yum!
Tortilla Espanola (pg.129): a baked omelet with zucchini... Yukon Gold potatoes and Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese and sauce
Hand Pies (pgs.158-161): warm sausage and apple... chicken and kale... or Manchego cheese and cauliflower

Stylish Bites: new tasty "twists" to any favorite canape:

Deviled Eggs (pg178-181): spicing up the eggs with tomato-pimiento, dill, wasabi, garlic or even horseradish
Cucumber and Endive Salad Bites (pg186): Endive leaves or cucumber rounds topped with "flavorful" salad droplets
Pureed Vegetable Soups (pgs.218-221): served cold or hot these purees are satisfying yum (served with chicken-salad tartlets pg.223 is a delight for any book club)
Cherry Tomato BLTs (pg.225): perfect summer bites, just pop in your mouth and enjoy a burst of summer goodness

Cocktails (pgs.234-241): Yes please! Tumblers, Highballs, stemmed, or punches for any gathering

Are your taste buds tingling? So well organized. Filled with ingredients that are easily purchased. Not hard-on-your finances. And, perfected-user-friendly recipes that will inspire an every day cook. This book can be savored for years to come. It has the quality of a generational prize that will be cherished by those who love having their home filled with friends, family, special moments, good food, and unique gatherings of love.

An excellent gift for all occasions and holidays, don't resist purchasing this for yourself...
MrsK

A must own for every hostess... every book club... every cook!

The Official Martha Stewart Blog - The Martha Blog

Click the above link to her blog...

Meet the Author:

Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of bestselling books on cooking, entertaining, homekeeping, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the Emmy-winning daily syndicated television program, and founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which publishes several magazines, including Martha Stewart Living; produces Martha Stewart Living Radio; and provides a wealth of ideas and information on her website.

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

http://crownpublishing.com/imprint/clarkson-potter/

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)