Around the Table

The best entertaining isn't about impressing people. It's about welcoming them to a comfortable setting, entertaining them with lively conversation and simple memorable food, and making them feel at home. In Around the Table, accomplished hostess Ellen Wright offers 24 seasonal menus, accompanied by gorgeous full - color photographs, for easy, off - the - cuff but still stylish entertaining for family and friends. Menus include It's Payback Time, for when you've enjoyed friends' hospitality too often without reciprocating, with Parmesan Toasts, Tomato Onion Soup, Mustard - Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Loin, Baked Onions, and Pound Cake with Berries; Freezing Cold Winter Night, a get - together over steaming bowls of Brisket and Cabbage Soup, Piroshkies, and Warm Apple Crisp; and Let's Stoke Up that Fire, a cookout with grilled Butter flied Leg of Lamb, Creamed Spinach, Peach Tomato Salad with Mint, and Blond Brownies. Ellen's philosophy is to keep it simple, fun, and delicious. The menus highlight easy preparation and do - ahead tips and shortcuts to get the host out of the kitchen and into the conversation.