Description
Book SynopsisPacked with recipes and advice for creating a stress-free kitchen, this unique guide shows ordinary home cooks how to do their own catering at big events such as family reunions, graduations, and weddings.
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1
Part I: So, You Need to Cook for a Crowd . . . 7
Chapter 1: A Crowd by Any Other Name 9
Chapter 2: Planning Your Menu 17
Chapter 3: Estimating Food Quantities, Serving Dishes, and More 39
Part II: Tried-and-True Recipes for Crowds 51
Chapter 4: Creating Tasty Appetizers 53
Chapter 5: Main Dishes Everyone Will Love 69
Chapter 6: Delicious Side Dishes 95
Chapter 7: Satisfying Slurps: Soups and Stews 109
Chapter 8: Stirring It Up: Punches and Drinks 125
Chapter 9: Decadent Desserts 137
Part III: Special Events and Holidays 163
Chapter 10: Special Dishes for Summer Get-Togethers 165
Chapter 11: Special Dishes for Holidays 183
Chapter 12: Special Dishes for Weddings 201
Part IV: Bringing It All Together 215
Chapter 13: Getting Ready for the Event 217
Chapter 14: Getting Ready on the Day of the Event 231
Part V: The Part of Tens 247
Chapter 15: Ten Ways to Avoid Common Food Preparation Problems 249
Chapter 16: More Than Ten Decorating Tips for Crowds 253
Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Keep from Pulling Out Your Hair 265
Chapter 18: More Than Ten Things You Need to Know about Food Safety 269
Appendix A: Metric Conversion Guide 277
Appendix B: Helpful Web Sites 281
Appendix C: Fun and Easy Garnishes 293
Appendix D: Special Cooking Tricks 309
Index 313
