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Extraordinary Cookbook:
How to Make Meals Your Friends Will Never Forget

by Stefan Gates

Description
As children our parents told us not to play with our food. Stefan Gates must have been a very naughty child. The acclaimed food writer, TV host, and gastronaut has made it his lifelong mission to rebel at the dinner. And, the proof is in the pudding, or in his case Flourescent Jello. Stefan Gates sets out to inject as much frivolity into cooking and eating as he can. The result is The Extraordinary Cookbook: How to Make Meals Your Friends Will Never Forget - a compendium of fabulous feasts and memorable dishes.

In eight mind-blowing chapters, Stefan concocts starters for communal dipping, presents interactive meals that will make your dinner guests cooking pasta in a balloon or stuffing zucchini flowers, and spectacular mains that are inventive and ingenious, like an entire roasted chicken covered in edible gold leaf. Providing over 120 exhilarating recipes that will surprise, amaze and delight, Stefan's irresistible enthusiasm comes through on every page. Host a Hammer and Crab Party or impress your guests by teaching them to how to make sushi. Have them churn their own butter to spread on freshly baked bread. Finish the party with toffee fondue, perfect for making as much of a mess as possible.

"You don't need to spend lots of time or money, but you do need some inspiration and a little handholding, and that's what this book is for," says Stefan. "All the recipes here are practical and thoroughly achievable—nothing is included simply as a flight of fancy or to make the book look impressive, and, although you might save a few of these dishes for a special occasion, the vast majority are meals that I make on a daily basis at home. Hang on—there is the obvious exception of liquid nitrogen ice cream, which, it's true, is an indulgent frill."

There are a few dishes that sound challenging, such as Apple Caviar, Crispy Jellyfish and Beansprout Salad, and Skewers Cooked on a Car Engine, but Stefan urges you not to underestimate your family and friends' tolerance for adventures, and your ability to create them. You'll be surprised how even the pickiest eaters (especially kids) jump at the chance of an exhilarating culinary escapade, and that, despite appearances, even dishes such as Golden Chicken can be easy and relatively cheap to make. Often, the key to unlocking the exhilaration in food

Whether you want to get the kids involved or want to go back to your own youth, The Extraordinary Cookbook is about being creative in the kitchen and creating an event to remember. Filled with stunning color photography and Stefan's irresistible charm, this cookbook sets out to inspire you to think about food in a whole new way.

About the Author:
Stefan Gates is the award-winning presenter and co-writer of Full On Food for BBC2, Cooking in the Danger Zone for BBC2 and BBC4, Gastronuts, a children's program for BBC1 and CBBC, and most recently Feasts for BBC4 and Stefan Gates on E Numbers for BBC2. He has written four books - Gastronaut, In the Danger Zone, 101 Dishes to Eat Before You Die and Stefan Gates on E Numbers. Stefan appears regularly on UKTV's Market Kitchen, Five's The Wright Stuff and BBC2's Something for the Weekend.