Member Reviews
This cookbook had some really great recipes. The recipes were easy to understand and not too complicated for the average cook. I enjoyed the illustrations and look forward to making these recipes for years to come.
THE EASY APPETIZER COOKBOOK by Sarah Walker Caron contains "No-Fuss Recipes for Any Occasion," with chapters on party planning (including pantry and freezer staples, helpful tools, and menu ideas), light snacks, dips & spreads, finger foods, savory plates, fancy bites and something sweet. A couple of choices I might try include Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus and Salmon Fritters. I do like how the recipes are labeled (e.g., make ahead, gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.), have relatively few ingredients, and clear directions that take generally less than a half hour to prepare. However, there are very few images and no nutritional information is presented.
Loved this cookbook with easy, quick, delicious appetizers. I planned my whole Super Bowl menu based on this cookbook. Fantastic ideas.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.
Everybody loves appetizers, but everybody doesn’t have time to prepare dozens of kinds for a single party. However, with Sarah Walker Caron’s The Easy Appetizer Cookbook: No-Fuss Recipes For Any Occasion, an appetizer party with a unique variety of luscious appetizers is actually doable. This excellent cookbook is filled with mouthwatering appetizers that are quick and easy to prepare and that are not your run-of-the-mill boring bites ( i.e., no recipes for little wieners in barbecue sauce!).
Most everyone is very busy, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t entertain. The recipes in this excellent cookbook have minimal ingredients, use convenience foods like premade tart shells (which are quite good), and utilize very little hands-on time. Whether you have guests that drop in and you need something quick to serve, or send out invitations for 25 friends and plan on a dozen or so luscious bites, this cookbook has everything needed.
One helpful aspect of this cookbook is that Caron lists several menus that work well for a party. She has thought this through, and her suggestions include some that are made ahead, some that are done the day of the party, and some that are last minute – which makes for a workable party. The different appetizers sound so good, it would have been nice if there were pictures of every recipe, but there are few photographs; the photographs that are included are excellent, but most readers will want more.
The book includes excellent dips (the Spicy Black Bean Dip is great as well as the Spinach Artichoke Dip), fun appetizers on skewers such as Balsamic-Drizzled Fruit and Cheese Bites, and Chef's Salad Skewers, meatballs with several sauces, Shrimp Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce, California Turkey Burger Sliders – the list goes on. The book includes a few yummy desserts, too.
All told, this is a book with something for everyone, with quick, easy recipes that can be made by beginners, as well as those with more experience. This cookbook is highly recommended.
Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.
What I've been specifically looking for this year are appetizers I could bring and share at band rehearsals, occasional wine time/cocktail hour with friends, afternoon tea time, and the upcoming summer of concerts in our neighborhood park. Not everyone eats meat these days, so I like to be careful and yet, keep it fresh, eventful, elegant AND ambitious! This book turned out to be a perfect fit for all these events!!!
The standouts right from the get go are definitely near the beginning where you get ideas for "themes". In other words, included in the author's themes of ideas are: holiday party bites, pre-event bites, game day bites...even VEGAN bites are included! Lots of great bites to glance through.
From spiced nuts....marinated olives....chef salad skewers...spinach artichoke dip, sun-dried tomato-garlic white bean dip...finger foods like rosemary-garlic whipped ricotta crostini with prosciutto ...oven roasted party wings...deviled eggs, three ways...caesar salad cups....***How to assemble a cheese board***....savory appetizers like classic party meatballs, sheet pan pizza (great for kids events!!!), fried veggie wontons, taco bites....and various fancy bites like baked brie, caramelized onion, mushroom and gouda pinwheels...mini quiches....it just goes on and on with some great recipes...and lots of cheeses! There are also lots of great appetizer desserts like fruit skewers with marshmallow dip, glazed strawberry tartlets, s'mores tarts...
The author also includes tips on how to make certain dishes vegetarian or vegan.
From every season to lots of occasions-a great place to elegantly inspire your next event - I think The Easy Appetizer Cookbook is a winner!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.
Decent cookbook with some tasty sounding recipes but the one thing I love about reading cookbooks is, well, the pictures. As people (me) we eat with our eyes so the lack of imagery didn't spur me to want to try any of these recipes. I also like to compare my results with that of the picture. How will I know if I made it correctly?
Thanks for the arc anyhow!
I love appetizers. I like to make them and I like to eat them. So, I was definitely looking forward to The Easy Appetizer Cookbook by Sarah Walker Caron. And I wasn’t disappointed. There are a variety of appetizers – from easy and dependable Deviled Eggs to something a bit more challenging, such as Veggie Wontons.
This is a solid book for anyone who is looking for a good source for a variety of appetizers. The book also includes some party planning hints, cooking tips, and even instructions on how to build a cheese board. The major failing is the lack of photographs. A few photos would definitely take this cookbook to the next level and it would be a 4 star for sure. But, given the scope of the book and how the recipes and information are presented, I will give it a (somewhat reluctantly) 4 stars anyway.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.
I was prepared to see the "usual" appetizers in this cookbook, but was pleasantly surprised by the variety within. The book begins with some helpful advice for stress-free party planning & hosting, including some sample menus for different occasions. Appetizer recipes are easy, with few steps and little prep time. Midway through the book is a quick two-page table that tells you how to assemble a cheese board with compatible meats, fruits, nuts and spreads. A few photos are included, one for each section, but it would be nice to see more pictures of the dishes, particularly those that might be unusual or hard for the reader to visualize. Here are just a few examples of the unique recipes within: Fig, Gorgonzola, and Pear Tartlets; Rosemary-Garlic Whipped Crostini with Prosciutto, Chef's Salad Skewers. All of these seemed so easy, yet so appetizing. A very good cookbook!
I really enjoyed this cookbook it has plenty if handy tips for planning small or large gatherings with as little stress as possible.
The Avocado, Mango, and Pineapple Salsa to be honest were flavors I would never have thought to mix together but it looked so interesting that I decided to make it fir a Mexican themed potluck. I can't tell you how many people raved over this recipe. It is a keeper I will break out often. There are also a multitude of easy skewer recipes that I also really liked.
The cookbook is in sections with light appetizers, dips, finger foods and more (many of these recipes I have not seen before and all are easy to make).
I love feta cheese and many recipes use it the Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers with Whipped Feta are delicious.
Everything is simple easy and a variety of recipes can be made ahead with light touches before serving. This is not a complicated stress yourself out over an extravaganza appetizer book. This is fast easy appetizers that are simple but delicious.
I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review. I highly recommend it if your looking for solid proven simple recipes.
I liked the book. I did like some recipes. I tried couple. They were fine. To be honest I expected much more from this book. Perhaps I wanted more tips and more uniqueness. I get that in 60%. I still liked the cookbook a lot.
Thank you NetGalley and Rockridge Press for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.
Oh my goodness! What tasty recipes were included from savory, to fresh, and then on to sweets! I wanted to taste each and every tantalizing bite made from these recipes.
Even though I have a good imagination and could picture each finished recipe,
I would have loved a picture of each. That would have made this cookbook beautiful as well as especially tasty. I collect cookbooks and do not like overly involved recipes with too many ingredients. This book would fit perfectly in my collection. The food included had simple ingredients, could be made quickly, and seemed as though it would be great for a party or appetizer buffet.
I plan on making several recipes from this cookbook to take to our family’s New Year’s Appetizer Potluck. I am betting they will be a hit!
I loved these recipes. I made several recipes from this book and they were extremely easy to follow. I made the s’more tarts for my family and it was a giant hit! I only wish there were more pictures. As a visual being, I love seeing how they make it look for the final product.
This book was exactly what I need. Quick and easy appetizers for the family. I’d suggest this book for anyone who needs ideas for easy apps that everyone can love for the holidays. I also love that there are gluten free and vegan recipes in here since a few of my family members have diet restrictions. I only wish there were more pictures of the dishes
Thank you at Netgalley for this kindle edition in exchange for my honest review.
Chicken Caesar Salad Cups, Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus, Mediterranean Chicken Skewers, Deviled Eggs, Homemade Onion Dip...these recipes aren't exactly going to take the world by storm but they are all easy, approachable, and the kind of things most of us actually serve when we entertain.
The most important reason I can't give more than three stars is the lack of photos. The ones shown are fine, not fantastic, but they are much too far and few between.
Thank you to Sarah Walker Caron, Callisto Media Rockridge Press and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Add some photos and this will easily be 4 stars!
I had hoped the recipes were more on the exciting side however The Easy Appetizer Cookbook had interesting takes on some standard recipes (flavored popcorn, salad cups, skewers, deviled eggs, etc. It makes a great gift for someone not used to the kitchen. The recipes are simply laid out with numbered instructions (yes!) and variation tips. Being a chart and list person, I liked 'How to Assemble a Cheese Board'. I've never thought about a cookbook club as the author describes (how perfect is that?!) and again, while not the most exciting cookbook, it was fun to see the slightly different take on appetizers that are fairly easy to make for a dinner party.
The title could not be more accurate. This book offers appetizers from fun & informal, like Chef's Salad Skewers, to fancy schmansy, like Rosemary-Garlic Whipped Ricotta Crostini with Prosciutto. All appear reasonably simply to prepare. In addition to recipes, the author offers information on planning cocktails & how to assemble a cheese board.
I love that The Easy Appetizer Cookbook by Sarah Walker Caron came into my life just before the holidays. One of the things I love best about having folks over is the finger foods, the appetizers, all of those gorgeous little munchies before the main course. Frankly, I love them more than the main course!
The Easy Appetizer Cookbook has plenty of recipes to get my heart beating. For one thing, all of my vegetarian and vegan friends, the recipes are marked as to whether they are vegetarian, vegan, or not, and most of the recipes are vegetarian. A definite win-win.
Many of the recipes can be made ahead so you aren’t fussing in the kitchen when your guests arrive.
At the beginning, Caron has a section on party planning and choosing a menu, suggesting that the planner be mindful that guests at an afternoon party probably will eat less than at an evening party. Also, she provides times as per how long certain events would take. Some of her suggestions like don’t plan a bunch of recipes that should be cooked all on the same day sound like common sense unless you’re planning a party and become enamored with yummy recipes. Her advice is well heeded.
Unlike some recently reviewed cookbooks that suggest you buy the latest gadgets, Caron is a minimalist, which I love, especially since I have a small kitchen without a lot of storage space for all the latest gadgets. She lists of few must-haves, most of you which probably already have.
Her pantry items are also good. Items that you should have on hand for just in case events. And, again, if you’re like me, you probably already have those on hand: olives, puff pastry, nuts, beans…
A very useful section, especially if you’re new to hosting, is the menu ideas. She’s put together items that are suitable to the occasion and also ones that can be made ahead and on the day so fuss is again minimal.
Some of the recipes are as simple as pairing different cheeses with fruits (she offers pairings) and drizzling balsamic vinegar over them. Also there are veggie kabobs with garlicky goodness.
The recipes are sectioned into: Light Snacks, Dips & Spreads, Finger Foods, Savory Plates, Fancy Bites, and Something Sweet. There are definitely tastebud tantalizers here for whatever gathering you’re hosting. And, just in time for the holidays!
I am so excited to try some of these recipes out during the holidays and into next year!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you have Kindle Unlimited, you can access The Easy Appetizer Cookbook for free! You can purchase a paperback copy from Amazon here.
The Easy Appetizer Cookbook is a niche recipe collection by Sarah Walker Caron. Released 15th Oct 2019 by Rockridge Press, it's 132 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
I enjoy collecting recipes for specific social occasions like potluck parties or book club/knitting gatherings. I don't do actual parties so much, but if I did, and for those who do, this book is full of appealing finger foods and small bites.
The book has an accessible, easy to follow format and the recipes are arranged thematically by category: light snacks, dips & spreads, finger foods, savory plates, fancy bites, and something sweet. There's also a very good introduction and planning chapter which includes suggestions for party planning and choosing recipes.
For Kindle Unlimited subscribers; this title is available in the KU subscription to borrow and download for free. It's also worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
I do wish the book included serving pictures for all of the recipes. I would estimate approximately 10% are accompanied by one or more pictures. The pictures which are included are appealing, clear, and illustrative.
Each of the recipes include ingredients in a sidebar (measurements in US standard units), and step by step instructions as well as yields, prep/cooking time, and other notes such as dairy- or nut-free. The ingredients are mostly relatively easily sourced and should be available from any well stocked grocery or large supermarket. The cooking instructions are easy to follow and with a careful read-through, I found no glaring mistakes. The book does include a US - metric conversion table at the back of the book.
Four stars. There are a lot of appealing recipes included here which should keep finger food aficionados happy for quite a long time.
Are you planning on parties this holiday season, need ideas to help get the party started? Have no clue what to serve beside the old standbys? Well, I think that The Easy Appetizer Cookbook by Sarah Walker Caron should help you with your party planning.
This cookbook has 60 recipes that are sure to please and easy to use. Not only are there recipes but there are party planning tips, menus, and drink pairings.
The Chapters include, Party Planning 101, Light Snacks, Dips and Spreads, Finger Foods, Savory Plates, Fancy Bites and even Something Sweet, my favorite chapter.
Deviled Eggs three ways, California Turkey Burger sliders, and Barbecue Chicken Pineapple Bites sound really good to me, BOOKMARKED!!
I think that this cookbook will be perfect for the upcoming entertaining and even having for tailgating!
This book is filled with delicious appetizers for all occasions! It is broken down into categories like light snacks, dips, finger foods, fancy and sweets which are just some of them. It is written well and the recipes are easy to follow. I am really looking forward to using them with all the holidays coming up!
I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.