What do you think?
Rate this book
Easy Entertaining for Beginners: You Can Throw a Fabulous Party, from a Holiday Fiesta to a Romantic Evening for Two
You don't have to be professional chef or nervous wreck to host great casual at-home entertaining. You will have all of your questions answered, from what to serve to what to do. Even if you have never entertained in your life, you can have a terrific time putting together a superb celebration. Included are 13 delicious complete menus with easy-to-follow recipes, full color photographs, ideas for music, activities and drinks. Checklists ease readers step-by-step through every phase of planning, preparation, and presentation. You will gain confidence and have a terrific time putting together successful celebrations. Occasions My First Cocktail Party, Family Fiesta, Dinner with Close Friends, Guys Night Out, My First Thanksgiving and more!
172 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2008
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 15, 2023
Filled with mouthwatering but easy recipes, color photos, and music and activity ideas, Easy Entertaining for Beginners is a host's dream cookbook. Each chapter includes a Step-by-step Checklist, optional shortcuts, etiquette advice, a mistake to avoid, and tips to ensure success. Themed party ideas for adults and children and Thanksgiving and Christmas season menus will help make you and your parties the talk of the town. Also included is a list of kitchen items to have on hand for the recipes in the book, a Basic Chicken recipe, a Fahrenheit/Celsius conversion chart, equivalents list and liquid conversions list.
And yes, someone finally admits that although cooks and chefs jump through hoops to come up with a new take on a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal, most people "like the basics...".
I remember the first year in our new home and suddenly finding myself as the only daughter-in-law and someone who had become responsible for cooking for every holiday. If only Easy Entertaining for Beginners had been around then, I wouldn't have needed to stress over my food preparations.
For easy and fun entertaining menus and ideas, pick up a copy of Easy Entertaining for Beginners by Patricia Mendez!
And yes, someone finally admits that although cooks and chefs jump through hoops to come up with a new take on a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal, most people "like the basics...".
I remember the first year in our new home and suddenly finding myself as the only daughter-in-law and someone who had become responsible for cooking for every holiday. If only Easy Entertaining for Beginners had been around then, I wouldn't have needed to stress over my food preparations.
For easy and fun entertaining menus and ideas, pick up a copy of Easy Entertaining for Beginners by Patricia Mendez!
May 9, 2010
Now, I am not an award winning hostess nor chef by any stretch of the imagination, but with Paricia Mendez’ book at hand, I can now hold my head high when I need to take something for a pot luck, make the 4th of July entertaining or even create a Christmas season social which would make my mother, “the Queen of the Kitchen“, proud.
With simple chapters, each devoted to an event in life such as “Romantic dinner for two“, “Girlfriends tea“, “Family Fiesta“, and two children’s themed Birthday parties not to mention many more impeccably thought out and planned events, this book is perfect for the simple cook (like myself) yet offers just enough challenge to interest the accomplished cook at well.
As a visual learner, I especially enjoyed the photo section with was rife with not only previews of the dishes this book explains in easy to understand terms, but gives the novice cook endless ideas on how to present their creations in a professional, attractive way. The step-by-step checklist is also a boon to help any cook know how to time the meal so that all runs smoothly. I wish I had had this book when I cooked my first Thanksgiving dinner as a new bride. It would have saved me a lot of anxious moments and would have made the day much more enjoyable for yours truly instead of constantly worrying if I should put the turkey in and THEN work on the side dishes or if I should have prepared some of the side dishes the day before. This book takes all the guess work out of any occasion from start to finish and makes what seems to be a complicated menu, for any event, a breeze.
Within this book, one finds many interesting recipes such as “Kahlua Fudge Brownie Pie”, “Smoked salmon Canapes with Lemon-Dill cream”, “Carne Asada” and other dishes that can be used either separately from the dinner planned within the book or with the dinner as stated. As a cook who seems to always be at a loss as to what to take, when I am invited to a “pot luck” dinner, I have now found my new best friend. For all I need do is open Easy Entertaining for Beginners and on every page there is a dish that is not only interesting but would be a welcome addition to any event I may have to attend.
I would highly suggest this book for any new bride as a shower or wedding present, a young person embarking on their first new home or just about anyone who is tired of the tried and true recipes that we seem to see so many of when we go to potlucks. A definite change from the same old potato salad, “Fresh Tomato salad with basil and Panela Cheese” is sure to garner more than it’s share of attention and will be a welcome dish indeed on any pot luck table.
Search for this book and but a few to put back for those special people in your life that you know you’ll need gifts for. And don’t forget to get one for yourself. I promise that once you begin with this book, you will be hooked on the recipes within and your days of boring old potato salad will be gone forever! Bon Appetite!
With simple chapters, each devoted to an event in life such as “Romantic dinner for two“, “Girlfriends tea“, “Family Fiesta“, and two children’s themed Birthday parties not to mention many more impeccably thought out and planned events, this book is perfect for the simple cook (like myself) yet offers just enough challenge to interest the accomplished cook at well.
As a visual learner, I especially enjoyed the photo section with was rife with not only previews of the dishes this book explains in easy to understand terms, but gives the novice cook endless ideas on how to present their creations in a professional, attractive way. The step-by-step checklist is also a boon to help any cook know how to time the meal so that all runs smoothly. I wish I had had this book when I cooked my first Thanksgiving dinner as a new bride. It would have saved me a lot of anxious moments and would have made the day much more enjoyable for yours truly instead of constantly worrying if I should put the turkey in and THEN work on the side dishes or if I should have prepared some of the side dishes the day before. This book takes all the guess work out of any occasion from start to finish and makes what seems to be a complicated menu, for any event, a breeze.
Within this book, one finds many interesting recipes such as “Kahlua Fudge Brownie Pie”, “Smoked salmon Canapes with Lemon-Dill cream”, “Carne Asada” and other dishes that can be used either separately from the dinner planned within the book or with the dinner as stated. As a cook who seems to always be at a loss as to what to take, when I am invited to a “pot luck” dinner, I have now found my new best friend. For all I need do is open Easy Entertaining for Beginners and on every page there is a dish that is not only interesting but would be a welcome addition to any event I may have to attend.
I would highly suggest this book for any new bride as a shower or wedding present, a young person embarking on their first new home or just about anyone who is tired of the tried and true recipes that we seem to see so many of when we go to potlucks. A definite change from the same old potato salad, “Fresh Tomato salad with basil and Panela Cheese” is sure to garner more than it’s share of attention and will be a welcome dish indeed on any pot luck table.
Search for this book and but a few to put back for those special people in your life that you know you’ll need gifts for. And don’t forget to get one for yourself. I promise that once you begin with this book, you will be hooked on the recipes within and your days of boring old potato salad will be gone forever! Bon Appetite!
August 24, 2009
I was extremely excited when I received this book. I am an avid entertainer and always on the look out for something new and fresh.
With easy to follow directions and helpful hints and 15 pages of colorful photographs of the featured recipes…a fact I found remarkably helpful in making sure I had the presentation looking it best…Easy Entertaining for Beginners has become instrumental in my party planning.
Easy Entertaining for Beginners was a great success in helping me plan my small get together. I enjoy cooking and have three children who conveniently love my cooking. I invited a few close friends and family to be my 'guinea pigs' and try some of the recipes in the book.
The Coconut Salmon on page 15 went down a treat with even my fussiest family members. I then gave the children the Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese filling from page 98 and the Kahlua Fudge Brownie Pie on page 29 to the 'adults'. These two desserts were loved, I realized early that I was not anticipating everyone's reaction to these delicious recipes.
I experimented with the easy to follow menus to cater for individual tastes. Since I have been using Easy Entertaining for Beginners I have found planning and executing dinner parties, romantic dinners and even an 8yr old girl's "High Tea" party, to be completely stress free and fast, leaving myself with plenty of time to enjoy the festivities. I am looking forward to Christmas and following Chapter 12: Christmas Season Special, beginning on page 149.
Being in Australia, the temperatures and measuring systems differ from the US and I was delighted to find an easy to follow conversion charts on pages 165 and 166. With Fahrenheit and Celsius conversion, ingredient equivalents, and an Imperial, Metric and U.S. liquid conversion chart that I found to be a lifesaver.
Easy Entertaining for Beginners has made my life a lot easier and introduced my family to some wonderful combinations of flavors I would never have thought to try. I am no longer pulling out my hair trying to decide on something different to serve. Many of the recipes found in this book complement each other and can be combined to create a different menu than that illustrated in the book.
With easy to follow directions and helpful hints and 15 pages of colorful photographs of the featured recipes…a fact I found remarkably helpful in making sure I had the presentation looking it best…Easy Entertaining for Beginners has become instrumental in my party planning.
Easy Entertaining for Beginners was a great success in helping me plan my small get together. I enjoy cooking and have three children who conveniently love my cooking. I invited a few close friends and family to be my 'guinea pigs' and try some of the recipes in the book.
The Coconut Salmon on page 15 went down a treat with even my fussiest family members. I then gave the children the Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese filling from page 98 and the Kahlua Fudge Brownie Pie on page 29 to the 'adults'. These two desserts were loved, I realized early that I was not anticipating everyone's reaction to these delicious recipes.
I experimented with the easy to follow menus to cater for individual tastes. Since I have been using Easy Entertaining for Beginners I have found planning and executing dinner parties, romantic dinners and even an 8yr old girl's "High Tea" party, to be completely stress free and fast, leaving myself with plenty of time to enjoy the festivities. I am looking forward to Christmas and following Chapter 12: Christmas Season Special, beginning on page 149.
Being in Australia, the temperatures and measuring systems differ from the US and I was delighted to find an easy to follow conversion charts on pages 165 and 166. With Fahrenheit and Celsius conversion, ingredient equivalents, and an Imperial, Metric and U.S. liquid conversion chart that I found to be a lifesaver.
Easy Entertaining for Beginners has made my life a lot easier and introduced my family to some wonderful combinations of flavors I would never have thought to try. I am no longer pulling out my hair trying to decide on something different to serve. Many of the recipes found in this book complement each other and can be combined to create a different menu than that illustrated in the book.
August 20, 2009
Patricia Mendez has created a wonderful primer for the novice entertainer in her book, "Easy Entertaining for Beginners." Mendez offers 13 tasty party menu ideas complete with beverage and music selections.
Chapter titles include "My First Cocktail Party," "Romantic Dinner for Two," "Dinner for the In-Laws," "Girlfriends' Tea," Mother's Day Brunch," "Family Fiesta," "Fourth of July Bash," "Two Themed Children's Birthday Parties," "Dinner Party with Close Friends," "Guys' Night Out," "My First Thanksgiving," and "Christmas Season Social."
My favorite menu items include Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts on Mini-Croissants (from the Girlfriends' Tea menu), Carne Asada (from the Family Fiesta menu) and Cheddar Hash Brown Gratin (from the Christmas Season Social menu).
Mendez's dessert and beverage offerings are fantastic and include Kahlua Fudge Brownie Pie, Cointreau Chocolate Truffles and Strawberries, Hurricanes, Cosmopolitans, Guava Mimosas, Pomegranate Sparkling Punch, and more.
Mendez also offers practical advice and etiquette tips for each celebration. She puts the reader at ease and makes them believe they'll be able to execute a fun party. And for people like me who lack organization skills, she has even included a checklist for each party that includes a timeline of when to do what -- I love that!
"Easy Entertaining for Beginners" has won the following awards: 2009 Silver Recipient Mom's Choice Award, 2008 National Best Books Finalist, First Place cooking category: 2008 Reader Views Literary Awards, and 2009 Indie Excellence Finalist.
I highly recommend this book for the novice, and not so novice, entertainer.
Chapter titles include "My First Cocktail Party," "Romantic Dinner for Two," "Dinner for the In-Laws," "Girlfriends' Tea," Mother's Day Brunch," "Family Fiesta," "Fourth of July Bash," "Two Themed Children's Birthday Parties," "Dinner Party with Close Friends," "Guys' Night Out," "My First Thanksgiving," and "Christmas Season Social."
My favorite menu items include Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts on Mini-Croissants (from the Girlfriends' Tea menu), Carne Asada (from the Family Fiesta menu) and Cheddar Hash Brown Gratin (from the Christmas Season Social menu).
Mendez's dessert and beverage offerings are fantastic and include Kahlua Fudge Brownie Pie, Cointreau Chocolate Truffles and Strawberries, Hurricanes, Cosmopolitans, Guava Mimosas, Pomegranate Sparkling Punch, and more.
Mendez also offers practical advice and etiquette tips for each celebration. She puts the reader at ease and makes them believe they'll be able to execute a fun party. And for people like me who lack organization skills, she has even included a checklist for each party that includes a timeline of when to do what -- I love that!
"Easy Entertaining for Beginners" has won the following awards: 2009 Silver Recipient Mom's Choice Award, 2008 National Best Books Finalist, First Place cooking category: 2008 Reader Views Literary Awards, and 2009 Indie Excellence Finalist.
I highly recommend this book for the novice, and not so novice, entertainer.
July 3, 2009
Great book instructs you on how to shop, what to buy, how to decorate, what to cook including all recipes for a simple, easy party. Love it!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews