Quick and Easy Vietnamese or Cosmogirl Parties

Quick and Easy Vietnamese: 75 Everyday Recipes

Author: Nancie McDermott

From the author of the popular Quick & Easy Thai come these 75 oh-so-delicious recipes for every level of cook. Though it shares certain culinary traditions with its Asian neighbors, Vietnamese cuisine is entirely distinct, focusing on a bounty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs for signature clear, bright flavors with contrasting notes of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy. Creamy chicken curry is paired with the zesty tang of lime juice and the heat from ground pepper and chilies. Crisp, fried fish is served with a puree of pineapple-chili sauce. Delicate, rice paper wrapped summer rolls merit a rich and savory soybean dipping sauce. From snacks and soups to grilled meats and seafood to the essential noodle dishes and desserts, Quick & Easy Vietnamese presents the full spectrum of Vietnamese cooking at its most simply delicious.

Publishers Weekly

This snappy workhorse of a cookbook reveals the blend of tropical ingredients, delicate seasonings and French colonial influences that distinguish Vietnamese cooking and offers recipes easy enough to integrate into one's standard recipe roster. McDermott (Quick & Easy Thai) begins with a primer on elements of Vietnamese cuisine: "Contrasts prevail," "soup is a mainstay" and "[m]eat often stands alone, minimally seasoned." She then reviews the cuisine's central herbs (Asian basil, cilantro), starches (rice noodles, rice paper wrappers) and other foundations (chili-garlic sauce, coconut milk). Throughout, McDermott delivers the history and food information with a sureness indicative of the years she has spent in southeast Asia. Among the book's many notable dishes are Shaking Beef with Purple Onions and Watercress; Chicken Simmered in Caramel Sauce; Cha Ca Fish with Fresh Dill, Hanoi Style; and, for dessert, Sweet Coconut Ribbons, and Creme Caramel, which, McDermott explains, was adopted by the Vietnamese, who had long enjoyed their own version of steamed custard before the French arrived. Stunning color photographs by Caren Alpert illustrate the distinctiveness of Vietnamese cuisine. (Jan.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Books about: Flex 3 Component Solutions or Against the Machine

CosmoGIRL! Parties: How to Throw the Best Bash Ever

Author: Lauren A Green

Party on, CosmoGIRLs! It’s easy, because your favorite magazine has created this fun and fabulous guide—the only one geared to party-throwing, party-loving teenage girls—to give you everything you need to throw the best bashes ever.
From an award-winning Oscar® Night celebration to a pampering Spa-tacular Pre-Prom gathering for your best girlfriends, from a glittering Snow Ball in winter to a cool Pool Party when it’s warm, there are 20 different themes for all types of occasions. You’ll want to try them ALL—and why not? Special sections walk you through the party planning, help you be the hostess with the mostest, and even provide hints on throwing a spontaneous party when the mood strikes. Plus, don’t forget those all-important after-party details; they’re here, too.
Nothing’s left to chance, because each party description comes complete with instructions for invitations, menus (with recipes), decorations, and activities and games to get the party started. You’ll even find play lists for party soundtracks that’ll have everyone getting into the dancing groove, and suggestions for great goodie bags.
With its super fun design, clever planner format, and tried-and-true tips from party-planning CosmoGIRL! readers, CosmoGIRL! Parties is sure to be the talk of your town…and maybe the next town over, too!