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The Christmas Table

by Diane Morgan

Review
The Christmas Table is my new favorite book for holiday entertaining and family dinners. The photography is beautiful and makes any reader want to try so many recipes. My personal favorites are the Whipped Garnet Yams with Pecan Praline Crust (yum!) and Overnight Cinnamon Bread Custard especially for Christmas morning. I recently had a radicchio caesar salad in a restaurant and the recipe in this book is so much better. If you like to cook and want simple, clear recipes with everyday ingredients, you will love this book.
By  J. George (Amazon.com)

Description
Christmas is a spirited and creative time of year, with a joyful abundance of family, friends, and, of course, food, food, and more food! For those who relish in the idea of maintaining family holiday traditions or starting new ones of their own, this book-in one neatly bound package- is all about serving up comfort and joy with helpful ideas to simplify, organize, and plan your holiday feasts. "The Christmas Table" is filled with more than 80 recipes for glorious things to eat throughout the holiday season.

For a fabulous Christmas cocktail party, the deceptively simple Cucumber Cups with Smoked Salmon and Chive Pate and comforting Ginger and Apple Hot Toddys will keep all the guests happy. For a family dinner, either Juniper-Brined Roast Turkey or Burbon and Brown Sugar Crusted Ham will go equally well with Whipped Garnet Yams with Pecan Praline Crust. Christmas morning will be a true treat if all those presents are served up with Applewood-Smoked Bacon Benedicts or Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes.

And for the inevitable desserts that are always around during the holiday season, Eggnog Cheesecake with Candied Kumquats is great to serve with a meal, while Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Stars will shine brightly in any gift basket.In addition to the dozens of delicious recipes (including some for leftovers!), Diane Morgan has also included craft projects to make any home sparkle with warmth and Christmas spirit. Individually Wrapped Cubes with red and gold ribbons can be used to decorate anywhere, and a lovely Christmas Wreath will be a welcome treat to any front door. With crafts, recipes, and gorgeous full-color photos highlighting them both, "The Christmas Table" will make anyone anxious to celebrate Christmas all year long.

About the Author
Diane Morgan is an award-winning cookbook author and freelance food writer. She is the author of Grill Every Day, Salmon, Pizza, Delicious Dips, Midnight Munchies and The Thanksgiving Table: Recipes and Ideas to Create Your Own Holiday Tradition. She is the co-author of Dressed To Grill: Savvy Recipes for Girls who Play with Fire, all from Chronicle Books. She has been involved in the world of food for more than 20 years. She spent six years in Chicago as a caterer and chef for an executive dining room. Leaving behind Chicago's blustery, frigid winters, Diane moved to the Pacific Northwest, settling in Portland, Oregon. Her focus shifted to teaching cooking classes and pursuing a career in food writing, and she is now the author of eleven cookbooks. Diane has been a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times food section and has written for Bon Appetit, Fine Cooking, Cooking Light, The Oregonian, and Northwest Palate. Diane developed recipes focusing on the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii as part of the Weight Watcher's cookbook, Simply The Best All American. She has appeared on the Today Show, ABC World News Now, CBS Early Show, The TV Food Network, Smart Solutions on HGTV, Seasonings on PBS, and Good Day Oregon.