Desperation Entertaining - Softcover

Socially inclined but time deprived? Want to see friends for dinner, but can't do more than order takeout or meet in a restaurant? Well, help is here. From Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross, whose nationally syndicated column reaches millions of readers through 115 papers and whose first book DESPERATION DINNERS has 194.000 copies in print, comes the perfect cookbook for the harried would-be host and hostess. Filled with 200 marvellous recipes and dozens of brilliant problem solvers, DESPERATION ENTERTAINING is a complete game plan for having guests over (children included) without having to spend more than 20 minutes on a dish, or 20 minutes per cook-ahead phase. There are tips on saving time (buy prepeeled garlic, supermarket potato salad with fresh chopped onions and paprika); sanity (tie the bottle opener to the cooler); and money (sangria costs less than wine). But of course the genius of the book is in the recipes; Cajun Catfish Gumbo, Cabernet Pasta Sauce with Italian Sausage, Greek Stifado with Artichokes, Citrus Shrimp Kebabs, Grilled Pork Chops with Southern Peach Salsa. Plus plenty of homemade desserts that won't break the host, including Rocky Road Brownie Sundaes, Berkshire Blueberry Crisp and Sunset Key Lime Pies. Who's coming over next week?

Yes, you can be desperate and still be a great host
No more harried get-togethers, dreary take-out, or dreading it being your turn to have friends and family over. The Desperaton Cooks solve the entertaining conundrum with the same brilliant approach they bring to everyday dinner dilemmas—by concocting delicious, crowd-pleasing dishes using timesaving techniques, shortcut ingredients, and tried-and-true planning.

The desperate details
1. All recipes can be made in 20 minutes or less or in phases where actual hands-on work is 20 mintues or less.
2. Bottled chopped garlic, washed salad greens, precooked bacon, individually quick-frozen shrimp—wisely used convenience foods save time while boosting flavor.
3. The Crock-Pot—if you have one, dust it off. If not, think about investing in one.
4. The Desperate Pantry, easily stocked during weekly shopping trips, okays the spontaneous "Let's have dinner at my place" whim.
5. The plan—decide on the who, what, and where, then how to carve out simple blocks of time for preparation and cooking.
6. Relax.

Desperate but have time to plan? Try phased and flexible.
Roasted Garlic Artichoke Dip
Mushroom Lasagna Alfredo
Shrimp Creole à la Beverly
Pork Chops with Fruit Salsa
Baked Party Paella
Enchanting Chicken Enchiladas
Rocky Road Brownie Sundaes

Fast and fabulous for when you're really desperate
Golden Curry Dip
Chicken with Mustard Glazes
Three-Bean and Meatball Chili
Blue Jay Point Pasta
Amazing Steaks
Lemon Cake Sandwiches