This is a great book with a wide variety of recipes that do not seem overly difficult but much more interesting than typical. I love that the first chapter is "Gather Around Dinners," which includes 5 dinners with different themes and a list of recipes for everything to make for each. Other chapters in the book are Serious Sides, Main Events, Breakfast and Brunch, Baking and Sweets. There are lots of beautiful color photos, plus tips throughout (either about the recipe or serving). I just flipped through the whole book, and my mouth is watering.

It was the title of, DELICIOUS GATHERINGS: Recipes to Celebrate Together that first pulled me in. It brought to me thoughts of past years, decades, when my family would gather for holiday meals.
After an introduction, and some helpful tips, author Tara Bench aka Tara Teaspoon shares dishes homey, yet upscale. At this point I’m no longer reminded of home, as 95% of the dishes included, were nothing we ever had in our family. However, as I looked though the book longer expecting old favorites, I became intrigued with new concepts.

Here are just a handful of the recipes you’ll find in this book . . . Harissa Tomato Confit, Super-Soft Pita Bread, Turkey Stock and Gravy, Smoked Gouda and Scallion Mashed Potatoes, Orange Cumin Carnitas, Pineapple Taco Topper, Sheet Pan Potatoes (I am going to try these for sure!), Green Beans with Shallot Dressing, Jammy Onions, Asparagus and Peas Parmesan Breadcrumbs, Creamy Garlic-and-Herb Mac and Cheese, Italian Gnocchi, Bacon, and Cheese Soup, Spicy Honey-Lime Chicken, New York Chocolate Babka, Perfect Lemon Loaf Cake, Fresh Peach Pie with Sweet Cream Cheese, and, PB and Fudge Stripe Freeze.

The author shares a lot of interesting recipes, using some combinations I have never heard of, and I bet you haven’t either.

There are a lot of pages of color photos to go with the recipes. That’s a make or break for me with purchasing a cookbook. I want to see what the dishes are meant to look like before I get my hand on them.

If you’re looking to upscale family dinner, or to throw a party where the food will be remembered, DELICIOUS GATHERINGS is a book you’re going to want to check out.

The recipes and menus of this cookbook are not attention exceptional.. I like the photography. Not a necessary purchase for libraries. The book is better as house warming gift.

I mean, the author's name is Tara Teaspoon!! With a name like that you MUST know what you're doing in the kitchen and it shows in this gorgeous cookbook. The first few sections have themed menu ideas for crowd-pleasing feasts. The rest of the cookbook is broken out into Serious Sides, Main Events, Breakfast & Brunch, and Baking & Sweets. I'm drooling over the Sweet & Savory Grilled Chicken Sandwiches, Half & Half Granola Pancakes with Ginger Maple Cream Syrup and the Blackberry & Lemon Curd Swirled Ice Cream to name a few.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this cookbook. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

One of my favourite things is to cook for other people, but it is also a bit of a stressful situation. What to cook, what to add as sides, what flavours work, will everyone like it? So books like Tara's 'Delicious Gatherings' definitely help. One major bonus of this book is that it is gathered into "meals". Tara lists out exactly what is needed for each meal, indicating where in the book the specific recipes can be found. So if I wanted to create a mezze dinner, it couldn't be easier with 'Delicious Gatherings'. (The 'Crispy Falafel Chickpeas' are definitely going to become a favourite!)

I loved that there were pictures with every single recipe, that is so important to me when trying out something new in the kitchen. There are a whole bunch of recipes in this book I want to try, including the Cauliflower and Couscous Gratin.

I'd wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone wanting to prepare a delicious meal for a big gathering!

Beautiful photos of party platters and shareable recipes! Some recipes are a little too much for the novice cook, but would help anyone stuck in a cooking rut to branch out to new flavors and spices. If you've always been curious about harissa or falafel, this book might have the recipe you need to try something new. Recommended for libraries with popular cookbook sections and people looking for new recipes for parties.

This cookbook is fantastic! It has a variety of easy to prepare meals, as well as more time intensive, gourmet styled meals. There were sections for recipes great for a gathering, and others great for a party. All the recipes I've tried from it have been definite crowd pleasers. I can't wait to cook my way through the entire thing!

Such a delightful surprise to receive this Advance Reader Copy of DELICIOUS GATHERINGS Recipes to Celebrate Together by Tara Bench (aka TaraTeaspoon).

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for allwing me to review this beautiful book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Tara really fullfills her promise when she invites you into the kitchen to create a meal worth remembering!

She helps you impress guests with elevated everyday meals as well as special occasions including tips and how-tos.

She covers all kinds of gatherings from weeknight meals to elaborte celebrations.

Some of my favorite recipes include: Passion Fruit Meringue Tart with Coconut Cookie Crust, Maple Hazelnut Pie, New York Chocolate Babka, Spicy Maple Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pepitas and Easy Hash Brown Breakfast Bake.

I’m happy to recommend this cookbook to anyone who needs a little more joy, flair and amazing taste in their kitchen.

The layout of this is stunning. I loved how meals were grouped together, it really takes the guesswork out of hosting. I loved the photos, they were beautiful. The grocery list was helpful, as were the tips and tricks. This is a great entertaining cookbook and very helpful!

I didn't think it was possible for a book to feel like a hug, lol, but this one does. (Maybe whatever science behind that also explains why reading _Lord of the Rings_ feels like seeing old friends. But I digress.)

I also didn't think it was possible to read a cookbook on a full stomach and suddenly feel ready to eat again. Today I learned. :)

This cookbook is fantastic. The narrative, the menus (thank you to the author's brother, who noted he just wanted someone to tell him what to make and he'd make it--enter built-in menu planning!), the photography--all glorious. Plus, it is heavy on two of my favorite ethnic foods--Mediterranean and Mexican! (In addition to plenty of others, have no fear; the holiday-themed foods are equally glorious.)

The idea of a mezze platter on Christmas Eve is a brilliant idea; I may need to take note (says the girl who resists change and can be the ultimate creature of habit). :D But you know, I've got five months until then to get used to the idea!

Excellent collection of recipes, and one cookbook I'm very excited to add to my shelf upon release.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#DeliciousGatherings #NetGalley

This was a beautiful book that felt like a labor of love. While I had hoped for recipes that deviated more than the norm, they were recipes I was familiar with and had twists that I appreciate (never thought to put pomegranate seeds on baba ghanoush or serve carrots with lemon feta dip, etc.). It has a lovely international flair that will impress guests. Some recipes were a bit intense for me and I have a very small family, so while this resource may not be the best fit for myself, it will definitely be a great resource to others with numbered instructions, beautiful photos, and drool worthy recipes. This is the first book I remember to even include a photo index which I greatly appreciate.

Author Tara Bench has written another outstanding cookbook called Delicious Gatherings. Her cookbook was written to create recipes and meals worth remembering. Throughout her cookbook you'll find plenty of color photos illustrating some of the recipes. Some of the recipes you'll find include:

Jeweled Quinoa Salad
Orange Cumin Carnitas
Chili Cheese Fries
Thai Coconut Chicken and Rice Noodle Soup
Family Breakfast Turnover
Coconut Bundt Cake
Great Grains Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recommend.

Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.

A cookbook written from the perspective of bringing family, friends and your extended circle is already a winner. The recipes include starters and menus for full meal with dishes that complement and bring some interesting ingredients twist. My highlights include Golden Sweet Grape and Feta Cornbread Quinoa and Loaded Guacamole Pepper Jack Nacho Dip Cheese. A breakfast brunch in our house includes Churro Waffles and Bruleed Oatmeal.

This was a pretty textbook example of a cookbook. Lots of recipes for your next low key but memorable dinner party. There are lots of recipes to feed a crowd and it's organized almost thematically for the first good chunk. If you're wanting a Mediterranean-inspired evening, the mezze dinner chapter is your best bet.

That one was actually my favorite. I've been on a kick and am looking forward to testing more from that section.

I tested a couple of things, bookmarked a few others. Mostly I think this wasn't an especially exciting cookbook all around but it did have some nice takes on a few classics. My advice would be to go ahead and punch up all of the spice measurements because the couple I tested--the blackened salmon and the blue ribbon chili--both needed a little more kick for my tastes. But that's a personal preference. I loved the photos and applaud the photographer.

All in all, not a bad cookbook. I'm looking forward to trying more recipes.

I flove this cover! It looks absolutely delicious! The author does to good of a job making me drool throughout this cookbook. I spent half the cookbook bookmarking what I want to make. Sunday Supper was my favorite! Holiday meals a close second.

What did I like? I know when I pick up a cookbook by this author I’m getting great recipes. The cover alone would of had me reaching for this one. Fabulous job! She doesn’t just stop at gathering meals but adds sides and desserts in the end. Five stars. I can’t wait to try some of these recipes. The dill bread really caught my eye because we actually grew dill in our garden this summer.

Would I recommend or buy? You really can’t go wrong with cookbooks by this author. I have several and I can’t wait to add this one. It is drool worthy. I would definitely recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy to read and drool over while voluntarily leaving this opinion!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is full of great ideas to make foods fit for any gathering or party. I can't wait to try some of these because the pictures look amazing!

This cook book was wonderful! It had pictures that made all the dishes look wonderful. The recipes were easy to follow and made me want to try so many of them. I will definitely be using this cookbook for years to come. I’m gonna have to buy a physical copy for sure!

Besides the amazing recipes this book is beautiful and well laid out. Will definitely purchase for myself! I hope the spins I’d well done so it looks great on a shef,

I found this to be a pretty average cookbook. It was set up different then most as it was organized by theme for a get together. I did make the Creamy Garlic and Herb Mac and Cheese but was not wowed by it. Given how good it sounded I was disappointed by how bland it was.

This book has delicious photos and recipes. The first section is titled, "Gather-Around Dinners," featuring such selections as Mezze Dinner and Fiesta Mexicana. I chose to make the recipes from the Sunday Supper. We are a family of three (one teen, two adults).

The pot roast with pearl onions and carrots was divine. I cooked baby potatoes separately in the beef broth and they were lovely. To go with this I made the creamed spinach and green beans with shallot dressing as additional side dishes. I've never had creamed spinach and this was really good. The green beans I accidently undercooked a bit but the dressing was the real star. For dessert I made the great grains cookies. I was very nervous about using whole wheat for a cookie but wow they were almost all eaten the first day! So tender and moist.

For a movie night I made the ultimate chili con queso and served it with a couple of varieties of tortilla chips. This recipe uses two recipes from the book, blue-ribbon beef and bacon chili and pepper jack nacho cheese sauce. Phenomenal. By far the easiest and tastiest nacho cheese sauce I've made. My teen said she liked it all together but separately prefers my chili recipe. I honestly thought it put mine to shame!

I highly recommend this book for fresh new recipes to delight any palate.