Better Homes and Gardens Entertaining With Ease

Several of my friends - male and female - are the domestic diva types.

- They turn a dining experience into a memorable event.

- They throw a soirée and people excitedly anticipate receiving an invitation to attend the next gathering.

- They make a casual Sunday brunch look like Breakfast at Tiffany's.

- You suspect that they take Jacques Pépin or Sandra Lee DNA pills which are secretly supplied to them by a mad genetic scientist; and only pretend that entertaining with ease comes naturally to them.

Well maybe for them, being a gracious host or hostess is their talent. But for others like me who are not so gifted? We want to express our appreciation to Better Homes and Gardens®.

BH&G has been around forever! (See their timeline.) With good reason too! Through the years, this company has earned a highly respected reputation for being a trusted reliable source if you need information and helpful advice on how to make your homes and gardens always better! Their vision and mission is in the name itself. When you see their seal, you do not doubt the quality of the product.

In my home library of cookbooks, there is an old book that has stood the test of time. How old is it? It's so old, there's no website address to direct readers to GO TO. (About 30 years old.) It was a gift; a perfect gift for non-hostess, non-domesticated types like me. In less than 400 pages, you will discover that you can be a domestic diva. It's really easy.

The book is appropriately titled:

Better Homes and Gardens®

Entertaining with Ease Cook Book.

* * *

- Practical Party Planning Tips for people on a budget

- The Progressive Dinner trick

- Easy and elegant recipes for American, European and Asian cuisines

(May I suggest the Indonesian Sâté with Peanut Sauce? Page 26.)

- Soups and Salads to mix and match

(The Hot and Hearty Sausage Soup with the Mideastern Green Salad OR the Marinated Avocado-Mushroom Salad are great combo.)

- Desserts to die for!

(If you don't serve cheesecake, your guests will beg you for the Upside-Down Chocolate Pie.)

- Delicious virgin drinks (nonalcoholic)

- Candlelight suppers that would meet the high standards of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced boo-kay or as in Bouquet)

[ British comedies are my weakness. Episodes of this series are available on YouTube. ]

- A special section wholly devoted to Special Celebrations. The all-purpose "Celebration Party" is suitable for any occasion: housewarming, retirement, weddings.

- Last, but not least, fabulous photographs for the visual learner.

Since the creation of all the various food networks on television, my spouse and I both are both cooking show fanatics. But this book has been with us for about 20 years, the pages are falling out of it from years of wear and tear; but we refuse to part with it. My husband still refers to it for new dishes and instructions for cooking techniques. I won't give it up because it taught me how to make and vary my favorite dessert: cheesecake!