One of the many Friends at the Table recipes I can’t wait to try:
Fresh Fruit Tartlets with Pistachio Coconut Crust and Blackberry Drizzle
A few weeks ago I got an advance copy of best-selling author and cooking instructor Debi Shawcross’ newest cookbook, Friends at the Table. My schedule has been so hectic recently that I haven’t had much time to do any extra-curricular reading, so it sat on the kitchen table for quite a while before I even opened it. Finally, one night when I had a minute to take a breather, I flipped it open, thinking I would spend a few minutes skimming through it.
Ha! I quickly realized that I wanted to do a lot more than skim, so I turned back to page 1 and began reading. A couple of hours passed before I closed the book. Of all of the cookbooks I own, I can honestly say that I’ve never read any of them from front to back in one sitting, but I can say that about this one.
There is so much I love about this book that I know my words can’t do it justice. From the concept to the layout to the beautiful photography, it is just one of the most well-done cookbooks I’ve seen.
Friends at the Table has taken the concept of 1930′s and 40′s supper clubs and transformed them into modern day home gatherings. We now live in such a fast paced world that we don’t often make time for intimate dinners with friends, but this book will prompt you to change that. With easy to follow instructions, including grocery shopping lists and time tables for prepping ingredients, Debi shows us that it doesn’t have to be stressful to plan a party in your home!
I’m thrilled to own a copy and I really want you guys to have one too!
You can order online at Amazon right now or if you’re lucky, perhaps Debi will be visiting a location in your city some time soon. To keep up to date on her whereabouts, check out her Facebook page.
For those of us here in Nashville, we can meet Debi live and in person at the Viking Culinary Center in Franklin in just a few days.
Would you like to try her crispy wontons with smoked salmon and wasabi cream, slow roasted hoisin glazed pork roast, and ginger shortcakes with poached fruit and vanilla ice cream? I know I would, so join me why don’t you?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
6:30-8:30 PM
Viking Culinary Center
The Factory at Franklin
230 Franklin Road, Building 13
Franklin, TN 37064
$30 includes a delicious tasting portion of the menu and a glass of wine, as well as 10% off Friends at the Table
Call 615-599-9617 or visit www.vikingcookingschool.com to register
And then there is one last thing….Debi has given me an extra copy of the cookbook to share with one of my readers! The only thing you MUST do to enter is answer this question in the comments section: What is your favorite dish to serve at a dinner party?
Want to increase your odds of winning? You’ll get an extra entry for each of the below, but you must come back here and leave a separate comment telling me you did so!
1. Follow me (@betheats) on Twitter and tweet the following: Enter to win @DebiShawcross’ newest cookbook, Friends at the Table, from @betheats! http://bit.ly/dTOyaM
2. “Like” Eat. Drink. Smile. on Facebook (if you’re already a fan just leave a note saying so)
Contest ends Tuesday, April 5th at NOON Central time, so be sure to enter before then, and use a valid email address for entry. If I can’t get in touch with the winner within 48 hours, I will be forced to choose another. Good luck!
Note: This giveaway is open to residents of the continental United States ONLY.
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Nakia | nakiaandkaleb.com — April 2, 2011 @ 9:58 am
That looks like such an awesome book! I’m following you on Twitter (@nakiaandkaleb) and I “Like” you FB.
Jessica @ Whisk It Good! — April 2, 2011 @ 10:11 am
What a great looking book. Perfect book to have to help prepare for a dinner party!! I already want to know the recipe for that tart crust & those crispy wontons :) My favorite dish to serve at a dinner party would be a panzanella salad or any kind of dessert! I am already a “fan” on fb too :D
Clarkie @ Beloved Green — April 2, 2011 @ 11:03 am
My favorite dish to serve at a dinner party is glazed salmon. Even my niece and nephews enjoy it so they can come and enjoy the “grownup” fun.
Renee V. — April 2, 2011 @ 11:36 am
Favorite group dinner dish is a toss up btwn mexican dip or a seven layer salad. Both are super quick and can vary based on preferences of self and others eating it.
Renee V. — April 2, 2011 @ 11:37 am
I”m already an avid FB fan! WOO HOO for bringing back the relaxing and “smelling the roses” times.
Grace — April 2, 2011 @ 3:28 pm
Favorite dish to serve at a dinner party would have to be Jumbalaya. Yum!
Grace — April 2, 2011 @ 3:29 pm
Just “liked” you on facebook! So glad I found your blog!
Leah — April 2, 2011 @ 4:58 pm
This book sounds awesome! I love it when menus are included. My favorite dish to serve at a dinner party is cupcakes. I like how they are individualized and can be any number of flavors. The perfect ending to a meal.
kelley {mountain mama cooks} — April 2, 2011 @ 7:10 pm
My favorite thing to serve at a dinner party is roast chicken. Classic, simple, comforting and delicious!
kelley {mountain mama cooks} — April 2, 2011 @ 7:14 pm
Just tweeted this fabulous giveaway!
kelley {mountain mama cooks} — April 2, 2011 @ 7:15 pm
And……..I like you on facebook!!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. — April 2, 2011 @ 8:28 pm
great post! This sounds like a wonderful book. I love serving a great starter drink, a fun martini, great wine, sangria or a vodka “special” drink. I am tweeting now
Amanda Thompson — April 2, 2011 @ 8:43 pm
I love to serve lasagna at dinner parties ~ it is the right combination of comforting and classy.
Angela@spinachtiger — April 2, 2011 @ 8:46 pm
My favorite thing to serve at a dinner party is the almond tart that was served at Chez Panisse for over 20 years. It’s elegant and a winner every time.
Angela@spinachtiger — April 2, 2011 @ 8:46 pm
I became a facebook fan.
Angela@spinachtiger — April 2, 2011 @ 8:49 pm
I tweeted. That makes 3.Obviously, Beth, I would love this cook book.
Meredyth Haas — April 2, 2011 @ 11:37 pm
Looks like an AWESOME book! My favorite thing to serve would definitely be chilled sweet potato salad with scallions and cilantro and lime dressing. Yum!
Beth B — April 3, 2011 @ 4:52 am
I’m a FB fan and my favorite dish to serve is a butternut squash w/kale risotto. It’s pretty amazing.
Lindsay — April 3, 2011 @ 8:05 am
This cookbook looks gorgeous. :) We have a turkey gyro recipe, complete with homemade pita bread, that is tasty and always impressive for guests.
Lindsay — April 3, 2011 @ 8:06 am
I like you! :)
Lindsay — April 3, 2011 @ 8:06 am
Tweet, tweet!
Leah — April 3, 2011 @ 9:41 am
I like you on Facebook!
Ally Garner — April 3, 2011 @ 11:01 am
Sold! My hubs & i joined a Supper Club just before Christmas. Cannot wait to dive into this book. Wish i lived in Nashville to join all you wonderful Ladies in meeting Debi Shawcross.
Beth, please don’t include me in the drawing-i just ordered a copy on Amazon, thanks to your link. Also, thank you so much for the post-always love finding a great new Cookbook! :)
Beth replied: — April 3rd, 2011 @ 11:15 am
I’m so glad you ordered it! I just know you will love it!!
Cat — April 3, 2011 @ 11:26 am
I like you! ;)
Cat — April 3, 2011 @ 11:30 am
Tweet tweet!
Cat — April 3, 2011 @ 11:31 am
Risotto is my favorite for a dinner party because you can add in seasonal ingredients and its good pretty much fall-spring.
Kelly J. — April 3, 2011 @ 1:16 pm
That book look fab. I’d love a crack at it for when we re-instate our monthly Gourmet Club!! as for a face dish, I don’t think we’ve ever served the same dish twice for dinner parties. However, Cowboy Caviar and smoked ribs are always a hit for casual cookouts.
Kelly J. — April 3, 2011 @ 1:16 pm
Oh, and I already like you. ;)
Lindsay — April 3, 2011 @ 1:58 pm
Great giveaway! My mom will be in town next week, and I may just surprise her and bring her to the Viking!! My fave thing to cook at a dinner party is something tasty, impressive looking, and that feeds a lot of people. My current favorites are Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Spaghetti & my mom’s chicken and broccoli casserole recipe! (My favorite as a kid!)
Lindsay — April 3, 2011 @ 2:02 pm
Also, I’ve just re-tweeted about the giveaway AND “Liked” you on Facebook! :)
Leah — April 3, 2011 @ 3:21 pm
I tweeted!
Kelly — April 3, 2011 @ 3:24 pm
I have tweeted and am following you. My favorite dish would be seafood paella!
Mollie — April 3, 2011 @ 4:42 pm
My fave dinner party dish is pork tenderloin.
Mollie — April 3, 2011 @ 4:43 pm
Also, I just re-tweeted about the giveaway on twitter.
amy (fearless homemaker) — April 4, 2011 @ 6:49 am
one of my favorite things to serve at a dinner party is some sort of soup alongside the main dish. something light in the summer, such as gazpacho, carrot ginger, or a chilled fruit soup, + something more comforting in cold weather, like a parsnip puree or curried lentil soup. oh soup, how i love thee! =)
Caroline — April 4, 2011 @ 7:21 am
My favorite dinner party dish is pork loin – easy and delish!
Shannon — April 4, 2011 @ 8:10 am
We like to do a grilled rosemary pork loin with a port wine and fig reduction. It’s really really good.
Shannon — April 4, 2011 @ 8:10 am
I already like you on Facebook!
Shannon — April 4, 2011 @ 8:19 am
I just tweeted! :)
Lindsey — April 4, 2011 @ 8:37 am
my fav dish to serve is actually a deliciously quick & easy appetizer…truffle-infused bruschetta! it makes you go weak at the knees :) (p.s. i tweeted & liked ya too!)
Mary Clare Champion — April 4, 2011 @ 8:47 am
One of my favorites is an older Cooking Light recipe, Oriental Flank Steak with Asparagus and Wild Rice Pilaf. It’s super easy but has a good wow factor. I also love that the recipe is a complete meal in itself — all you need to add is wine and maybe some good crusty bread!
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000000223237
Mary Clare Champion — April 4, 2011 @ 8:48 am
PS — I’m also already a FB fan!
Ann Williams — April 4, 2011 @ 8:59 am
I love to serve a salmon recipe that I got through an email chain. My husband could eat salmon 3 times a day and I prefer it to be mild and moist which this recipe does well. Put a salmon filet in a tin foil pouch with white wine, olive oil, sliced lemons and fresh rosemary and cook for 25-30 min. @ 350. Comes out perfect every time! I also liked Eat.Drink.Smile on facebook. That cookbook looks FANTASTIC!
Kate (Southern Belle Simple) — April 4, 2011 @ 9:11 am
My favorite dinner party dish is probably my mom’s famous corn casserole…it’s the easiest combination of shoepeg corn and cream cheese cooked in a skillet. SO Yummy! Hope I win!
Danielle — April 4, 2011 @ 9:42 am
I love serving my husband’s family recipe spaghetti and meatballs… So good, and there’s something about a family recipe that is so comforting and always spot on.
Danielle — April 4, 2011 @ 9:44 am
Oh, and I tweeted, and am already a Facebook fan!
Kim — April 4, 2011 @ 10:31 am
When having people over, I tend to focus more on side dishes, epsecially if my husband is grilling the main dish. I love unhealthy vegetable dishes – squash casserole, boursin creamed spinach, etc. I also love a southern side dish like hashbrown casserole or baked mac & cheese. I like my guests to leave a little fatter than they came, haha.
I’m following you on Twitter (@kimbaldwin76) and I “Like” you on Facebook.
Thanks!
–Kim
Brian @ A Thought For Food — April 4, 2011 @ 10:54 am
I love serving grilled fish at dinner parties… Especially in the summer. Served with a nice big salad and white wine :-)
Brian @ A Thought For Food — April 4, 2011 @ 10:55 am
I like you on Facebook.
Beth — April 4, 2011 @ 11:21 am
We like to serve savory bread pudding made up of whatever veggies are seasonal at the time or whatever veggies we have in the house. It is a simple casserole that always pleases!
Beth — April 4, 2011 @ 11:22 am
P. S. I liked you on FB.
Fingers crossed to win!
Adrien — April 4, 2011 @ 12:29 pm
My husband and I LOVE having our friends over for dinner parties on an almost weekly basis. I would say by far my favorite thing we have made whas Pad Thai. YUMMMMMM
Adrien — April 4, 2011 @ 12:29 pm
I already like you on facebook :-)
Adrien — April 4, 2011 @ 12:30 pm
I tweeted!
ashleynashville3 — April 4, 2011 @ 2:24 pm
i never bring the same thing twice to a dinner party. I get that from my mom!
Maris (In Good Taste) — April 4, 2011 @ 3:52 pm
Looks like an awesome book and I look forward to getting a copy
Laurel — April 5, 2011 @ 7:39 am
i know it’s so easy but cheese. you can’t beat a cheese tray.
Brooke — April 5, 2011 @ 7:49 am
Lasagna…the real Italian kind with bechamel sauce and ragu. Not the Americanized ricotta stuff!
Brooke — April 5, 2011 @ 7:50 am
I became a Facebook fan, too!
Leslie South — April 5, 2011 @ 8:22 am
I love serving big crock-pot dishes like chili at dinner parties — super easy and affordable, too! I really enjoyed your posts on crock-pot recipes awhile back.
Leslie South — April 5, 2011 @ 8:22 am
I entered on Twitter, too @southleslie
Melanie — April 5, 2011 @ 8:44 am
My favorite dish to serve at a casual dinner party with friends is enchiladas … red, green, chicken, steak, veggie … whatever we’re feeling that day!
Scott — April 5, 2011 @ 8:46 am
Favorite dish to serve when guests come over is “Garlic Bows” a VERY simple appetizer using refrigerated bread dough and fresh garlic and parmigiano cheese. It has proven great for all ages and occasions, from middle school soccer team pasta party to “grown-up” cocktail and dinner parties!
Scott — April 5, 2011 @ 8:50 am
I am now a facebook “liker” — btw: noticed that I’m definitely in the gender minority here…hopefully there can be more of us guys that can show that we’re good for more than cooking chunks of meet on the grill! :-)
Beth replied: — April 5th, 2011 @ 9:04 am
Hi Scott! So glad to have you because we definitely need some more men cooking around here :-)
Amanda — April 5, 2011 @ 2:13 pm
I love serving a full course traditional Moroccan meal – usually catches all my guests off guard and is a fun experience!
Amanda — April 5, 2011 @ 2:13 pm
I love serving a full traditional Moroccan meal – catches everyone off guard and exposes a new culture to many!
Amanda — April 5, 2011 @ 2:14 pm
I tweeted this ;)
Lara — April 5, 2011 @ 2:19 pm
Love to serve my homemade guacamole! And my new favorite dish is beet pickled deviled eggs.
Beth replied: — April 5th, 2011 @ 2:35 pm
beet pickled deviled eggs??? Very curious about those…. are they on your blog?
Lara — April 5, 2011 @ 2:37 pm
Here they are! Fun and delicious http://www.goodcookdoris.com/2010/12/new-holiday-favorite-beet-pickled.html
Nadette — April 5, 2011 @ 3:23 pm
i have got to do better with reading all my blogs every single day. This cookbook looks great!
Colleen — April 6, 2011 @ 12:20 pm
Oooh this book looks like something I would love.
Friends at the Table Winner! | NashvilleBlogs.org — April 9, 2011 @ 1:21 am
[...] I’ll be seeing some of you locals at Debi’s Viking event on April 14th. That gorgeous photo above? That’s one of the dishes we’ll be tasting. [...]