BBQ Bash is an ebullient book, its authors, Karen Adler and Judith Fertig, infused with ideas for the good old-fashioned fun that can be had in the back yard over a smoking grill. So infectious is the spirit of the book that the reader can almost see the two women in the kitchen conjuring up ideas amidst laughter. And ideas abound so that every cook can turn an ordinary barbecue into a party, a celebration, a signal moment of the summer.
Adler and Fertig start with the basics of any good outside party: setting up the bar,, lighting, music, setting the tables. Then they move on to fun ideas and suggest twelve themed parties. Among them are plans for an Autumn Dinner in Tuscany; A Spanish Tapas Party; An Italian Antipasto Party; A barefoot Summer Poolside Bash; A Black-Tie Barbecue. Needless to say there is an All-American Barbecue, one that goes well beyond burgers and franks. There are smaller tips that the authors call 'Razzle-Dazzle" peppering the pages of the book. This is a complete party-planning guide.
The menus are interspersed throughout the book, each with recipe ideas while the scrupulously written recipes themselves are divided into the main sections of Appetizers, Entrees, Sides and Desserts. In the Appetizers and Small Bites section you will find such recipes as Grilled Polenta with Caramelized Onions and Gorgonzola; Pancetta-Wrapped Radicchio, Fennel and Potato Bundles; Apple-Smoked Salmon; Wood-Grilled Pizza with Two Toppings. When the guests have nibbled and awakened their taste buds, it's time for the main course. No ordinary grilled food, you will find a range of recipes such as Latin-Style Barbecued Pork Loin with Aji-i-Mjili; Umbrian-Style Grilled Whole Chicken; Provencal Grilled Salmon with Rosemary and Mint Aioli; Corn Husk-Wrapped Shrimp with Grilled Corn. The delicious sides include Blue Cheese Coleslaw; Grilled Greek Taverna Salad; Blistered Baby Pattypans and Red Onion; Sweet Potato Salad with Ginger-Lime Vinaigrette; Cilantro Slaw. For a rousing finish, dessert recipes include Summer Fruit in Chambord; Planked Stone Fruit with Butter-Rum Glaze; Warm Chocolate Truffle Cupcakes; Queen of Sugar Cookies.
The authors include a section they call "Grilling 101" that gives the basics of good grilling. There are color photographs by Becky Luigart-Stayner and illustrations by Heather Holbrook.
Have a great party.
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