Effortless Elegance with Colin Cowie: Menus, Tips, Strategies and More Than 200 Recipes for Easy Entertaining

For anyone who is serious about entertaining with true gusto, this book is life blood! While some of the recipes may tread "haute" waters (but why not try something new...what the heck?!), there is certainly something for everyone. The photos are amazing, and Colin Cowie continues to demonstrate his proficiency in the field of all that is fabulous!

I have read all of Colin's book including his most recent, CC Chic. CC Chic is a compliment to Effortless Elegance in that it shows us all how to live life elegantly and with fresh style. Each recipe in Effortless Elegance is excellent and so easy to make!

I got this book when it was first published ten years ago and it continues to be one of my all-time favorite cooking and entertaining books. The recipes are simply wonderful -- favorites include the spicy shimp salsa, poached rolled chicken, checkerboard of roasted peppers with olives, capers, and anchovies, and the spinach and risotto casserole, now a standard in my side dish repertoire. I have made each of these many times and still need to try more of the recipes in the book. The photos with party and plating ideas have inspired much of my entertaining over the years -- from intimate family gatherings to parties of more than 100. I love to cook and entertain, and Colin Cowie's volume has become my bible.

This book is beautiful to look at. The recipes are excellent as well. There are a broad range of dishes for a variety of occassions. I turn to this book for ideas every time I entertain. Even if I don't use a recipe from this book, I often find ideas that make special occassions that much more special. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to entertain. One word of caution, all the recipes are for a large number of guests. The recipes are not for an intimate dinner party for four. I have successfully scaled some back though.

I've poured through this book over and over again. Although I love seeing the photos of Colin's presentations and decor, I find the recipes incredibly different and easy to prepare. I use Effortless Elegance as a cookbook, perusing the index for dishes I'm considering. I'm especially wild about his recipe for Grilled Shrimp on Lemongrass Skewers. I now keep a permanent stash of frozen lemongrass in my freezer to use for any BBQ skewers.