In this massive tome, Martha covers all types of hors d'oevres. In addition to easy-to-follow instructions, every "finished product" is beautifully photographed and labled. All you have to do is flip through the photograph section at the beginning of the book, select the hors d'oevres you would like to make, mark it with one of the attached silk book holders, and flip to the recipe in the back of the book.

Here are a few notes:

1.) Included in the back of the book is a good index (This is helpful if you want to search for a specific main ingredient -- like if you have 10 lbs. of asparagus you need to use up.) and a resource guide (This is great for those who don't have a gourmet supermarket within driving distance. Almost all ingredients and tools can be ordered either via the internet, by phone, or mail.).

2.) As is typical with Martha's books, the recipes are high on presentation and low on portability. These delicacies are best suited to an at-home cocktail party, as most of the items to not travel well due to their sometimes elaborate construction.

3.) A nice feature is the classic recipes section featuring party favorites such as stuffed mushrooms. (These recpies are great, as my guests are not always in the mood for nori or endive.)

4.) While I appreciate the design choice to put all of the photos at the beginning of the book, I would have preferred the pictures be featured with each recipe. Expect to flip back and forth a bunch of times.

Functional Note:

You'll need bookweights or a cookbook stand to hold this open, as the pages are packed pretty tightly.

Bon appetit!

38 of 39 found the following review helpful:

Martha Stewart's Hors D'oeuvres handbook  May 17, 2000

I have used this book several times, made me want to have a party to try out these wonderful recipes. Full-color photos which show you what the food is supposed to look like; and well labeled -- telling you what page the recipe is on. Such creative ideas for snacks and treats, "why didn't I think of that?". Recipes are well detailed, easy to follow, good print (making it easy to read) with special notes on pages telling you where to get "hard to find items" and techniques explained. I think this book is not necessarily for beginners, but, those who love to cook and love to take time and pride in their cooking. Everytime I have made something from this cook book I get "waves of praise". The back of the book has "the Guide" which gives additional information from planning a party to taking Horsd'Oeuvre to a party. Equipment and ingredients are explained, as well as, a source list. I recommend this book to anyone, again, who loves to cook. It is right up there with the other Martha Stewart cookbooks, great!

23 of 24 found the following review helpful:

Martha is the Queen of Hors D'Oeuvres!  Nov 11, 2000
By Nicole Flowers
When I am ready to don my apron to prepare for a cocktail or dinner party, this is the first book that I pull off the shelf. I flip through the beautiful and tantalizing photos in the front third of the book, find what I want to try, and then go on to the correlating how-to page. The recipes are easy to follow, some more involved than others, but depending on how much time you have, it's easy to make a choice on what to serve. The last chapter entitled The Guide is filled with a wealth of information - menus, an index of culinary utensils, description of uncommon and exotic foods and spices, equipment and food sources and a directory of specialty shops. I also like the built-in fabric book markers - great to mark favorite recipes.

This informative book has been a welcome addition to my cooking library and I recommend it to anyone who loves to entertain. It will also make life easier for those who are sometimes forced to entertain whether they like to or not!

15 of 15 found the following review helpful:

Good choice between easy nibbles or time-consuming feats  May 07, 1999

I actually just reviewed this book as part of a summer cookbook roundup of around 20 books, and voted it the best in the lot. Why? I chose simple, quick recipes to make, and they all turned out perfectly. Guests actually asked me where I bought the gorgeous breadsticks (Martha's quick sticks). Made those in five minutes flat. I also made the blue cheese and pecan crackers (another five whole minutes out the window), the sesame crusted chicken sandwiches (my sister in law, who is a very picky eater, raved). I wasn't about to start filling grapes with cheese, or stuffing cherry tomatoes; that's just not me. But there are enough economical, easy dishes in here to suite even the kitchn tyro.

14 of 14 found the following review helpful:

A "Must" for your kitchen library!  May 27, 2000

As owner of a large catering company in central Ohio, I was beginning to grow tired of Martha and of requests from brides to reproduce "Martha's Look". This book, however, is wonderful. It is full of new ideas and twists on the old standbys. Every hors d'oeuvre is illustrated and detailed recipes follow. Ms. Stewart does tend to take some easy recipes and make them more difficult than is necessary, however. Use her book as a guideline and adapt the items to fit your needs.

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