Nordstrom Entertaining at Home Cookbook: Delicious Recipes for Memorable Gatherings

Don't pay over 25 bucks for this book. It's still on sale at Nordstrom stores.

I've been going to the Nordstrom cafes located in the stores for years and enjoying the food there very much. Lately I had been wondering if I could get the recipes for some of the dishes (like their amazing chipotle-lime vinaigrette dressing) and as I was walking out of the cafe yesterday I noticed the display of these cookbooks for sale!! I opened up the salad section and there was my recipe for the chipotle lime vinaigrette!! There are lots of wonderful recipes in this book. Divided into appetizers (tomato and goat cheese crepes sounds like a must-try), beverages (Lime-mint mojito cooler anyone?), salads, soups, main courses, grill, pot luck, sides and of course desserts. Some recipes sound like they are for the more advanced cook but they all sound so delicious that it makes amateurs like me want to learn and kick it up a level anyway! I will be trying many of these recipes very soon. I was so glad I found this book. It is not out of print by the way. The stores do carry it also for far far less.

This is a beautiful, thoughtfully compiled cookbook with some of the favorites from Nordstrom's cafes, as well as perfect recipes for informal gatherings at home. The recipes are relatively straightforward and the instructions are clear. Best of all are the full-page photos -- definitely a treat for foodies who value beautiful food photography printed on deluxe, heavy paper. The only downside is the price (why I didn't award five stars) -- but this would be a great gift for the chef who is looking for new inspirations.