Seriously Simple Holidays: Recipes and Ideas to Celebrate the Season

I specifically looked for this book after I had tasted several recipes from it prepared by a friend. The items she cooked were absolutely delicious and looked really good to and I couldn't wait to buy the book for myself. Now that I have the book, I can see that the recipes are easy to prepare and I'm really looking forward to trying them out.

This is a great cookbook. Last night we went to a Christmas party and brought three of the appetizers from this book and everyone stood around the table until they were gone. We tried the Spicy Sausage and Chicken Liver Pate and it is the best I have ever had. Since the recipe made a large amount, the author suggested freezing extra in ramekins so I have a few ready for the next event. The Citrus Marinated Seafood was beautiful and elegant and very fresh tasting. The Baked Brie was extremely easy and turned out better than other baked bries I have done because it was just warmed for seven minutes. I have been so happy with everything I tried. The recipes are well thought out and the notes the author has included are always very useful. I am going to work my way through every recipe; the book is great for everyday cooking also because none of the recipes are difficult. I think this book is a gem and I am so glad I found it. I highly recommend it.

You buy this thinking you are just going to simplify your life, but the food is REALLY good. I thought "holidays" might only mean Christmas, but it also included Halloween, Hanukah, Thanksgiving, New Years, so you can entertain for many audiences with effort concentrated on a few good ingredients. My personal favorite recipes, in no particular order, were Polenta with Butternut Squash and Chestnuts (which the author suggests you could stir Marscapone Cheese into); Baked Pasta with Tomato, Red Pepper, and Sweet Italian Sausage; Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie with Caramel Sauce; Cranberry and Pear Custard Crisp; and Pumpkin Waffles. There is a tremendous variety. The recipes give you a lot of bang for fewer ingredients and invested time than you would expect given the results. Many recipes have notes on how to prepare all or part of the dish in advance and variations that you could try. There are also menu suggestions in the front using recipes in the books, so that you could have a very successful dinner party, cocktail party, etc. only preparing a few dishes. I found it a very enjoyable cookbook.

I bought this to simplify a Thanksgiving dinner for twenty we were cooking in a rented house with unknown kitchen supplies. Every dish turned out great. The recipes are simple, but the results look and taste like things that require far more effort. Highly recommended.