CHECK IT OUT

Whether you’re aiming to be the next Martha Stewart or just want to

host a casual affair, there’s a banquet of ideas for entertaining at home

in new cookbooks and party guides.

“A good party is not about the food, it’s about the people,” observes

Ina Garten in her best-selling “Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.” Whoever you

choose to invite to your next shindig, you’ll improve the odds of it

being a dazzling affair with help from Garten’s new “Barefoot Contessa

Parties!”

Designed for those who like to have fun at their own get-togethers,

the 16-menu collection features dozens of do-ahead dishes, organized by

season. From an informal pizza party to a more elaborate Academy Awards

dinner, the party descriptions include simple recipes for elegant salads,

main dishes, drinks and desserts, as well as tips for innovative

decorations and unexpected surprises.

For more ambitious hosts, Caroline Wrey presents a treasury of details

for everything from the perfect picnic to a children’s pet party in

“Secrets for Successful Entertaining.” Lavish photography, instructions

for creative accessories and informally presented recipes will help

serious party givers plan unforgettable affairs. If you’re interested in

creating such niceties as fabric bread baskets and monogrammed napkins to

enhance inspired menus, this is the book for you.

Other great entertaining themes are in “Secrets from a Caterer’s

Kitchen,” new from culinary arts professional Nicole Aloni. The former

director of catering for the Los Angeles Music Center includes 150

party-tested recipes in her spirited guide. Insiders’ tips for menu

preparation, decorating, invitations and budget maintenance round out

this contemporary bible for sensational celebrations.

You can almost taste the temptations in “Weber’s Art of the Grill,”

thanks to luscious photography of such treats as cedar-planked salmon,

rack of lamb with tomato pesto and Tuscan-style artichokes. With help

from the folks who brought us covered kettle charcoal barbecues and

gas-fired grills, outdoor entertaining enthusiasts can bring the art of

alfresco entertaining to a whole new level.

For outdoor and indoor chefs, the king of the ring and the grill

provides a feast of recipes in “George Foreman’s Big Book of Grilling,

Barbecue and Rotisserie.” Whether or not you own the boxing champ’s

popular grilling machine, you can prepare an innovative assortment of

international dishes on open-flame, gas and electric-powered equipment

with his new culinary compendium.

Most of this year’s June brides have already had their day, but to

plan a party for those who haven’t yet tied the knot there’s Beverly

Clark’s “Bridal Showers: Special Touches and Unique Ideas for Throwing a

Fabulous Shower.” For brunches, lunches, teas and dinners honoring new

couples, this creative guide includes ideas for themes, games, menus,

favors and other entertaining essentials.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams in collaboration with

June Pilsitz. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by

accessing the catalog at o7 https://www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

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