Entertain Your Friends Outdoors This Summer

Book Review

The Dean Bros. Get Fired Up
Grilling, Tailgating, Picnicking, and More
By Jamie and Bobby Dean and Melissa Clark
Copyright 2011 by Dean Brothers Enterprises, LLC
Photographs copyright 2011 by Ben Fink Photography
Ballantine Books, New York, New York
ISBN 978-0-345-51363-2

Summary:  "The Deen Brothers present 100 all-new recipes and entertaining ideas for outdoor gatherings" -- provided by the publishers.



Politically active people take advantage of the outdoors by entertaining during the summer months. Jamie and Bobby Dean and Melissa Clark have put together an attractive book on the subject. The full-page photography by Ben Fink Photography is great. I've talked to other authors and publishers and they tell me they use professional designers for the food presentation in their books. I'm assuming the Dean Brothers hired such a designer because the food looks like someone with some expertise has carefully arranged it for the photographer. For instance, the cilantro is very artfully sprinkled on the fajitas--fajitas which, themselves, were not merely dumped on a platter. The fajitas were arranged the way you will want to arrange them, yourself, when your friends stop by. Be sure to complete the picture with the matching green tablecloth underneath the platter to bring out the green in the cilantro because presentation is a big part of the formula for success.

This is the book I'm going to be using this summer when I discuss the issues with other politically-minded people. I have my eyes on the Charred Tomato Salad with Peppers and Onions because we always need to have something for the vegans.

No doubt, the Dean Brothers'  expertise and experience at running their restaurant has taught them how to combine inspiration with practicality. If you have read the book Martha Rules, which I reviewed previously (see Martha Stewart: On Starting and Running Your Business), you'll note that Stewart mentioned that her first catering experience was successful, but that it was the work of a novice. She, too, has learned a lot since then.

I don't have as much time--or energy--as Martha Stewart to complete an extensive learning curve in the kitchen, so this book provides me with a dependable shortcut to successful summertime entertaining.
 
(The following link goes to the book at Amazon.)

The Deen Bros. Get Fired Up: Grilling, Tailgating, Picnicking, and More