Cookbook Profile: Simple Soirées

Simple Soirées
Seasonal Menus for Sensational Dinner Parties

By Peggy Knickerbocker

Peggy Knickerbocker lives in two of the greatest food cities in the world, Paris and San Francisco, and she loves to give dinner parties wherever she is. In Simple Soirées: Seasonal Menus for Sensational Dinner Parties, the food journalist, former caterer, and restaurateur shares her passion, her welcoming spirit, and her secrets for creating a memorable party, whether it's a romantic dinner for two, a birthday party for a special friend, or a cocktail fundraiser.

"I decided to write this book for two reasons," says Knickerbocker, "First, I am fascinated by the anatomy of a menu and the manner in which it is presented. The art of creating a memorable menu is not unlike other imaginative pursuits. There's a lively balance among intuition, inspiration, experience, and technique."

The second reason behind this magnificent book is Knickerbocker's desire to encourage home cooks to gather friends around their table. "I want to show that having people over for dinner, lunch, or even drinks does not necessarily have to be troublesome. It can be fun and will definitely boost your quality of life."

To make hosting a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, a Cinco de Mayo Mexican party, or a Midsummer Night's Country Supper simple—and always a success—the book includes 100 of the author's favorite recipes, organized into seasonal menus such as Warm Figs Wrapped in Serrano Ham, Roasted Salmon with Peas and Mint, and Heirloom Tomato Salad for summer, or Steak au Poivre, Braised Fennel and Garlic, and Double-Ginger Gingerbread for fall. With an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, the menus are always stylish and often feature an element of surprise. Knickerbocker also offers planning and preparation suggestions, as well as time-saving advice to make entertaining easy and fun.

With beautiful photographs that capture the essence of the simple soirée, this delightful book will appeal to food lovers and party lovers alike.

About The Author

Peggy Knickerbocker is a freelance food and travel writer who lives in San Francisco and Paris. She is a longtime contributor to Saveur, and has also written for Gourmet, Food & Wine, House & Garden, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the New York Times. She is the author of Champagne: The Spirit of Celebration, Olive Oil: From Tree to Table (nominated for an IACP Award), and The Rose Pistola Cookbook.

Buy the Book!

Simple Soirées
Seasonal Menus for Sensational Dinner Parties
by Peggy Knickerbocker
Photographs by Christopher Hirsheimer
Stewart, Tabori & Chang
Hardcover; 224 pages; 50 full-color photographs; 100 recipes
$35.00 [$49.00 Canada]
ISBN: 1-58479-460-7
Information provided by the publisher.