Minimalist Entertains

A cocooning trend and economic woes have more and more American's foregoing restaurants. But how does one prepare a super dinner party without spending day in the kitchen? The author of the popular New York Times column and the previous Minimalist cookbooks is the man withe the answers. Famous for recipes that can be made in a flash, the Minimalist's latest installment couldn't be published at a better time. Organized by season, with ten menus for each, this cookbook covers all varieties of parties and themes: elegant dinners, cocktail fetes, buffets, barbecues, and even an indoor clambake. Your guests will rave for weeks about Bittman's creative menus, from a springtime Pan-Asian Dinner to A Light and Elegant Mid-Winter Meal. Wine pairings and timesaving tips are included as well. "Let"™s face it: entertaining is a slightly scary business for just about everybody. But in this book, Mark Bittman"™s trademark brand of delicious but easy recipes is joined by a "˜let's just have fun"™ attitude that makes you actually want to have folks over for dinner. So bring on the guests"“you"™ll not only be a success, you"™ll enjoy yourself, too."� --John Willoughby and Chris Schlesinger, coauthors of The Thrill of the Grill and License to Grill