Enjoy: Recipes for Memorable Gatherings

As soon as you set the table, it's a party! When the food is delicious and the
servings are generous, the company will be joyful--body and spirit in harmony,
memories in the making. The inspirational Perla Servan-Schreiber drew from her
Mediterranean roots, culinary influences gathered while traveling, and tips
gleaned from great chefs like Yotam Ottolenghi and Alain Ducasse to create
ninety simple, flexitarian recipes for gatherings big or small. Her seasonal
recipes cover every occasion, from causal summer picnics to formal holiday
parties, and from tea-time treats to sprawling buffets. Cooking is a powerful
vehicle for celebration and delight, and sometimes the fun starts with guests
in the kitchen helping to prepare the meal while nibbling on a light aperitif.
For a festive lunch, Perla serves summer salads together, such as Red Onion
and Sumac; Mushroom and Herb; and Quinoa, Tomato, and Parsley. In the winter,
her comforting Minestrone, Phô, Chestnut Mushroom Soup, or Spinach-Ginger
Lentils are followed by a hearty main dish like no-fail Mushroom Risotto, Osso
Buco, Egyptian Koshari, or Chinese Duck. No meal is complete without a grand
finale, and her desserts are unforgettable--from Raspberry Clafoutis to Honey-
Roasted Abricots to Tiramisu. The best memories come from time spent together
over a meal, and these inspired recipes are designed to keep hosts at the
table, able to savor and enjoy every moment.