Williams Sonoma Collection Hors D'O

Nice to have new ideas for serving guests.

Williams Sonoma: nostalgic and elegant (oh, yes, and the recipes are wonderful) Content: In a time of microwave cooking and instant pots, it was really nice to find this gem of a book, a book that transported me back to the bygone days of my youth (as my granny used to say, “Yes, I was born in the age of the Pharaohs” ) and to my grandmother’s elaborate dinner parties and elegant meals where the dining room was lit with candles and decorated with flowers , where the utensils were laid out in perfect order, where the napkins were folded into flower shapes…you get the idea. Okay, okay, okay…so I don’t actually entertain the way my grandmother did very often (where would I get the time or the money-people, lavish entertaining isn’t cheap!!!), I reserve that type of formal elegance and fine dining for special occasions and holidays, but it is really heart-warming to have a book that shows me exactly how to prepare special dishes for special occasions, how the set the table, how to serve my guest, and how to be a great hostess in general. And the recipes…oh, the recipes!!! Every recipe I tried turned out perfectly delicious. I am salivating right now while typing this review! I even went as far as to emulate the food presentation in the pictures (with the platters and decors I already owned, of course). I thought the recipes were rather well written, were not overly complicated, and did not require the reader to have extensive cooking experience cooking (although some cooking experience does make the recipes more accessible). With that being said, I do think that the absolute novice cook may struggle with some of the recipes in WS CB. (By novice, I mean a newbie to the kitchen who does not know what the difference between roasting braising is or know how to steam, boil, or blanch). For the absolute novice cook, I recommend the ATK series. Ingredients: Granted, some of the ingredients are not always present in a home pantry, but they are easily procured from most local grocers, butchers, and organic markets (Walmart even has a reasonable collection of the ingredients necessary for the realization of the recipes in this book). Presentation: Every recipe has a picture! Normally, that would not matter to me as I have over a hundred “picture-less” cookbooks, but for a “vintage cookbook” (from the 80s-early 00s) such as this, pictures are rather important as they show images of recipes with which we may no longer be familiar; to me, an image of a final product, especially if the last time I saw said product was when my grandmother made it in the 80s, is essential. The pictures themselves are breathtaking works of art, elegant, romantic (yes, romantic), and inspiring! The book itself is easy to handle (not too heavy, bulky, or big, but also not too small) and easy to read. The paper is thick and glossy. The font is dark enough and large enough to read, but I do use reading glasses (I am of an age where I simply cannot read ANYTHING without reading glasses. I have to have 16 point font on my computer to read without glasses). Simply put, the book is elegantly compiled and presented. Repetition: Yes, some of the recipes may be found in other editions of WS CBs, but to me that is of no concern as I am collecting ALL the WS CBs published in the 80s and 90s (well, anything prior to 2010 really). Delivery: arrived three days earlier than anticipated. Price: bought the used edition; copy cost me less than $5; pretty good deal! Condition: although I purchased the used edition, I got a copy in excellent condition. Conclusion: It is a product from WS. What is not to like? Is this cookbook worth the money? Should you buy it? For me, the answer to both questions is a resounding, unequivocal YES! As with all WS CBs, this is a beautiful book with elegant and tasty recipes, with lovely photographs of each described dish, and with side ideas and suggestions for improvement. Recommendation: Highly recommend! I cannot recommend this book enough even if I tired! I love it. Note: 1. If you found this review helpful in some way, please click the helpful button. Thank you. 2. If you want to read more reviews submitted by this reviewer, please follow. Thank you.

This is a visually beautiful book, elegant, 5 star recipes, which I have displayed in my kitchen. I already owned it, but just one problem--I had inscribed the inside cover with my full (ex-husband's) name. Just didn't want that staring in my face every time I sourced recipes from this. Happened to find this brand new replacement copy on Amazon, and am so happy I can now dump the icky copy. Also, really love cooking from it!

I have to admit, I thought the recipes in this book would be a little more...ordinary. Most of the recipes in this book I have never even heard of, or capable of pronouncing. I don't usually entertain in this sort of way. Being 22 years old, most of the people I entertain come over for beers and alcohol friendly finger food. I don't know how often I will make some of these recipes, but I am glad I got the book for future parties. Maybe when I am a little older and slightly more "mature" I may be using these recipes more frequently. Other than that, the recipes look easy to follow, the book is layed out beautifully, and as always Williams-Sonoma does a terrific job. I would reccomend this cookbook for entertainers, from the distinguised cooks to even beginner cooks like myself. A worthy purchase.

I was looking for some exceptional recipes for appetizers and hors d'oeuvre and this book delivered. So far I have made about a dozen of the items - most are simple and non complicated. About the only thing that creates some difficulty is shopping for some of the more exotic ingredients and spices. I found that substituting didn't mar the recipe or the taste. this book is only about appetizers and hors d'oeuvres and not much else. I can compare this book with the New York Times book on appetizers from a while back - fun and filling. It is one book of many published by William Sonoma - the only drawback is library shelf space. Although it is slim - the entire series takes up space. The book is new, stylish and well photo'd so you get a sample of what the dish looks like. A good buy.