"This book perfectly describes simple and easy entertaining for each season", from a New York Times–bestselling and James Beard Award–winning food writer (Daniel Boulud). No matter the occasion-from cocktail parties to buffets to elegant sit-down dinners-Mark Bittman has you covered. Toss out the idea that you have to deliver near-perfect, super expensive food to entertain family and friends. His creative menus are packed with simple, flavorful dishes for starters, main courses, sides, and desserts-all made with easily found ingredients and requiring minimal preparation. Organized by menus and seasons, this book serves up recipes along with "Keys to Success" that focus on stand-out ingredients and offer suggestions for adding a dish or two to make the menu more elaborate; a "Timetable" section that gives you tips and tricks on organizing the meal prep; and basic wine selections. From a Pan-Asian Dinner in the spring (Risotto with Coconut Milk and Seafood, Broiled Lamb Chops with Mint Chutney, Herbed Green Salad with Soy Vinaigrette, and Pineapple-Ginger Sorbet) to a wintertime Informal Italian Dinner (Pasta with Fast Sausage Rag, Chicken with Pancetta and Balsamic Vinegar, Porcini-Scented "Wild" Mushroom Sauté, and Ricotta with Walnuts and Honey), The Minimalist Entertains makes it easier than ever to combine food, fun, and friends. "Let's face it: entertaining is a slightly scary business for just about everybody. But in this book, Mark Bittman's trademark brand of delicious but easy recipes is joined by a 'let's just have fun' attitude that makes you actually want to have folks over for dinner." -John Willoughby and Chris Schlesinger, coauthors of The Thrill of the Grill and License to Grill
