[.ca] Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres (ISBN 0517554550)

From Amazon.com:
Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres is classic Martha--it's all about food, glorious food. Not just any food, either--it's about hors d'oeuvres. And you know how much Martha loves these tasty little nibbles. This book presents more than 150 recipes organized into 13 sample menus tailored to a wide variety of events. There's a Christmas cocktail party, with a Savory Wreath and Skewered Tortellini with Roasted Garlic Garnish; Seafood at the Beach featuring Goujonettes of Sole and Grilled Scallops with Chervil and Fennel; and Oriental Cocktails in the Parlor with Chinese Pearl Balls and Tea-Smoked Eggs. The recipes are garnished with plenty of advice--from useful tips on make-ahead dishes to the "I wish" advice like "it is difficult to ensure perfect service with fewer than four \oservers\c for 24 to 36 guests." The book is also useful for picking and choosing hors d'oeuvres for your own events. Even if you aren't planning a "grand and elegant" party for hundreds, you may well enjoy the recipe for Clams with Golden Caviar and Italian Parsley, Saucisson en Croûte, or Corn Muffins with Smoked Turkey. The book is, predictably, full of beautiful photographs--so whether you're really planning a "valentines and champagne" party for 50, an intimate tea party in the kitchen, or just indulging in a little gastronomy, Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres will please Marthaphiles and general readers alike. --C.B. Delaney

Solid First Course Helper of a Cookbook:
I've enjoyed this one so much {'ve moved on to her new Hors d'Oeuvres Handbook. However, this one has much in it, so to get this one as well and use it. Some of my all=time favorites are here: Apples with chicken liver pate, Orange muffins with Smoked Turkey, and Roquefort Grapes. I find this a useful book in its structure by function: Tea Party, Christmas Cocktails, Outdoor Barbe, etc. Bonus as in all her cookbooks, fantastic clear photos and marvelous creative ways to serve an eye=catching, tastebud wowing first course!

Wellll--:
This is great if you have all the time and money to spend on Hors D'Oeuvres--I would not buy it again, but it was fun to look at.

Tastes as good as it reads!:
This is a fabulous book. I received it as a Christmas gift when it was first published. I read and re-read the recipes, and was frankly overwhelmed. Not by the recipes, but the pictures. So, I fantasized about making the foods. I didn't venture to attempt the recipes for several months. I attended a reception at the Schomburg Center in NYC, and as I ate the great foods, I had a sense of dejavu. I thought, "Oh my goodness, these are the Martha recipes." I quickly asked a member of the wait staff for more info on the horsdouvres, and sure enough, they came from this book. After that, I went to the kitchen, and began cooking. These are some of the most reliable recipes you will ever have. The instructions are perfect, and you too can create these marvelous dishes. To quote you know who, "It's a good thing." P.S. I loaned my book out, and never got it back. I am ordering a new one from Amazon.com.

I did my best but the guests hated the Hors D'Oeuvres:
The guests hated the finger food and I would think there are better books on the subject. I am terrified to visit the golf & tennis club after the dinner debacle. Maybe Martha's finger food was well received in Nutley, NJ but in Short Hills it was another story.

Great hors d'oeuvres, if you have the time:
As much as I like Martha Stewart, I have to say - Who has the time to entertain like that? Martha's recipes are great, but not all are simple. Entertaining should be easy and fun. Not complicated with hard to find ingredients.