The book is filled with pictures to make cooking the dishes easy for anyone from the novice cook to the experienced chef. The recipes have been designed to be prepared in advance to take the stress out of entertaining. Each recipe is accompanied by storage and serving instructions as well as nutritional information and a wine suggestion. It includes a wide range of recipes designed to work together and using only easy to find ingredients. Aware that not everyone is completely at home in the kitchen, Susan Spaull has ensured that there is nothing here to frighten off the novice, while providing a collection of recipes that would ornament a dinner party or provide delicious fare when friends come round for a meal.
Desserts are particularly successful.
Sensible use of good-quality convenience ingredients cuts down on the cook's labours. All in all, Ideal Home Entertaining could do a great deal to reduce the stress and increase the pleasures of the nation's dinner parties. They feature a broad range of cooking styles and cuisines.