The Hostess Handbook

Description

From the author of The Newlywed Table, this helpful handbook offers readers 100 easy entertaining recipes, party planning advice, and curated menus to pull off the most delicious and delightful of gatherings, from an epic holiday bash to a casual get-together in the backyard, or an inspired dinner party.

Ready to throw a dinner party? It’s easier than you think. With 100 crowd-pleasing recipes and expert tips and tricks, The Hostess Handbook shows how to create an event that’s warm, joyous, and imbued with the special glowy feeling of a celebration that we never want to end.

Everything you need to know is here. How to plan a fantastic menu with foolproof recipes for finger foods, make-ahead mains (because you don’t want to be in the kitchen when your guests arrive), and festive desserts. How to get your home party-ready, whether hosting two people or twenty, with primers on setting the table, the art of serving, and flower arranging. And drinks, of course—including recipes for both classic cocktails and delicious nonalcoholic libations. Cheers!

Introduction
Party Supplies
Hosting Checklist
Which Party Is Right for You? 

Chapter 1: Party Snacks
Extra-Sharp White Cheddar Seeded Crackers
Sardines and Buttered Saltines
Salt-and-Vinegar Potato Peel Chips with Chive Dip
Getting the Party Going
Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Spiced Nuts
Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Popcorn
Menu: The Pre-Party: Small Bites and a Drink
Rosemary-Almond Salted Caramel Corn
Roasted Winter Fruits and Cheese Board
How to Style a Cheese Board like a Pro
Charcuterie and Pickles Platter
Cheese Dessert Tray
How to Store Cheese
Menu: Springtime Luncheon
 
Chapter 2: Starters
Edamame on Ice with Black Vinegar Mignonette
Homemade Tortillas and Mango Salsa
Turmeric- and Beet-Pickled Deviled Eggs
Menu: Galentine’s
Scotch Eggs
Making a Playlist
Jamón and Fig Toasts
Brown Butter Roasted Radish Toasts
Seeded Bread with Smoked Salmon Spread
Tuna Niçoise Tartines
Gorgonzola-Prosciutto Toasties
5 Simple Nearly No-Cook Appetizers
Asparagus Agrodolce Cigars
Menu: Game Day
Bavarian-Style Soft Pretzels
Broiled Bratwurst Bites
Spicy Chicken Wings with Apricot-Honey-Chile Sauce
Tiny Samosas with Minty Yogurt Dip
Saffron Arancini
 
Chapter 3: Sides and Salads
Shoestring Fries Tower and Roasted Garlic Aioli
Minty Pea Soup with Crème Fraîche Swirl
5 Ways with a Good Loaf of Bread
Vegetarian Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce
Salmon-Avocado Temaki Hand Rolls
Crispy Scallion Pancakes and Dipping Sauce Trio
Menu: Backyard Luau
Tie-Dye Rainbow Dumplings
Smoky Shrimp Tostadas
Ejjeh-esque Frittata and Labne Sauce
Cherry Tomato and Arugula Pesto Galette
Menu: Vegetarian Feast
Panelle Chickpea Fritters
Garlic Knot Waffles
Toothpick Gnocchi with Oregano Breadcrumbs
Saffron Couscous with Cauliflower, Chickpeas, and Pomegranate
Extraordinary Green Leafy Salad
Secrets to the Best Salads
Watermelon Radish and Avocado Salad
Green Bean, Watermelon Radish, and Crunchy Quinoa Salad
Cara Cara, Hazelnut, and Ruby Chicories Salad
Salt-and-Vinegar Cauliflower and Brussels
Blistered Padrón Peppers on Avocado Crema
Rose-Chile King Trumpet Mushrooms and Sautéed Greens
Menu: Friends and Family Sunday Supper
 
Chapter 4: Mains
Fish Kebabs
Scallops Cooked on Rosemary Branches
Kumquat-Crab Cakes with Dill Remoulade
Menu: Pack and Go Picnic!
Slow-Roasted Steelhead Trout with Shiso Salad
Lingering Fishy Smells
Winning Chili con Carne
Bavette with Chimichurri
Brisket and Harissa Buttered Carrots
Menu: Summer Barbecue?
Potato Chip-Crust Chicken with Green Olive Relish
Roasted Chickens and Shmaltzy Oven-Potatoes
To Truss or Not to Truss Chicken?
Yakitori-Style Tsukune Sauced with Ume Plum Tare
Chicken Picaditas
Herby Turkey Meatballs
Party Foul: Spilled Red Wine
Slow-Cooked Pork in Cabbage Leaf Cups
Tacos al Pastor, Korean BBQ-Style
Bánh Bagnat Mì with Lemongrass Tofu
Vegetarian Nachos with Sweet Potato, Pintos en Adobo, and Cotija
Edible and Interactive Centerpieces (aka Snack-Tivities)
Furikake Kabocha Moons
Squash Blossom and Sweet Pepper Tart
Crunchy-Topped Mac ‘n’ Squash
Butternut Raviolini with Fried Sage Butter Sauce
Pasta Carbonara
Menu: Holiday Dinner Party
 
Chapter 5: Desserts
Pistachio Butter Cake with Candied Rose Petals
DMO (Dark-Milk-White) Chocolate Layer Cake
Upside-Down Blood Orange Semolina Cake
Candied Ginger Cupcakes
Cranberry Meringue Tart
Barley and Salted Caramel Pine Nut Tart
A Case for Outsourcing Dessert
Menu: The “I Got a Promotion” Party
Gluten-Free Giant Pavlova with Chamomile Cream and Citrus
Strawberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Gluten-Free Pignoli
Marbled Matcha Snickerdoodles
Halva Choc-Chip Shortbread
Gluten-Free Ube Amaretti Cookies
Blackberry Mottled Occhi di Bue
Salted Almond Cantuccini
3 Ways to Transform Store-Bought Desserts
Churro Doughnuts with Chocolate Glaze
Menu: New Year’s Eve Soirée
Petite Pots de Crème au Café
Dulce de Leche Gelato Affogato
Tiny Ice Cream Cones with Homemade Waffle Cones
Gingersnap and Lemon Ice Cream Sandwiches
 
Chapter 6: Drinks
Spritz
Nonalcoholic Chinotto Spritz
Rosemary Gin and Tonic
Nonalcoholic Sparkling Strawberry-Rhubarb Elixir
Classic Martini
Fruit-tini Mix-ins
Nonalcoholic Pomegranate-Rosemary Shrub
Shandy
Twists and Twirls
Nonalcoholic Faux-jito
Menu: Taco Tuesday
Frozen Margarita
Nonalcoholic Raspberry-Lime Soda
Edible Flower Ice Cubes
Mai Tai Punch
Customizable Skewers
Nonalcoholic Mock Tiki Punch
Negroni Pitcher
Nonalcoholic Hot Apple Cider
Glühwein
The Wine Guide
Hot Chocolate
Menu: The After Party
 
Epilogue: When the Party Ends

Sources
Acknowledgments 
Index

 “This comprehensive and unpretentious guide is packed with elegant, approachable recipes plus tips and strategies to lessen the burden of hosting. It promises all the pleasures of good hospitality with less stress so you can be present from the first sip of wine to the last bite of dessert.”
 —Claire Saffitz, author of Dessert Person and What’s for Dessert“The Hostess Handbook showcases Maria’s knack of pulling the whole show together with her beautiful recipes—plus drinks, playlists, and a checklist for hosting—and her trademark ease and joy.”
 ——Elisabeth Prueitt, author and cofounder of Tartine Bakery

Additional information

Dimensions	0.9449 × 7.25 × 10 in
Imprint	Artisan
Format	General Trade
ISBN-13	09781648291807
ISBN-10	1648291805
Author	Maria Zizka
Audience	General / adult
BISAC	CKB082000, CKB101000
Subjects	charcuterie, cheese board, NA cocktail, batch cocktails, make ahead recipes, cooking for a crowd, party planning, #hostingera, hosting ideas, #hostessera, mocktail, gift, CKB082000, Pavlova, entertaining, dinner party, cookbook, holiday, guide, easy recipes, CKB101000, birthday