The Ultimate Appetizers Book: More than 450 No-Fuss Nibbles and Drinks, Plus Simple Party PlanningTips (Better Homes and Gardens Ultimate) Paperback – October 22, 2010

If your circle of friends frequently potluck like mine does, this book of appetizers will be amazingly handy. Everything I've made from here has tasted great and gotten numerous compliments; the recipes themselves are generally very easy to make and include nutrition info. The Lamb Meatballs were perfect for an Easter gathering, my reading group devoured the Balsamic Shallot and Goat Cheese Tart, and the Garden-Style Sandwiches made for a filling picnic on a duffy boat. The book is divided, as you might expect, by appetizer types, including dips, mini sandwiches, stuffed foods, cheesy foods, meaty foods, flatbreads, desserts, cocktails, etc. The first chapter offers great tips on throwing nice parties (particularly helpful when your previous party throwing experiences involve red cups), covering things like how to estimate total numbers of hors d'oeuvres per guest, how to serve the food prettily, emergency substitutions, and sample menus. Many, if not most, of the recipes rely on whole food ingredients, but be prepared to occasionally find calls for things like frozen puff pastry, pre-cooked meatballs, and jars of marinated artichokes. If you prefer to cook as much from scratch as possible, though, there are more than enough recipes to satisfy; if you don't care about that sort of thing, you'll be gratified by the book's advice to "make some/buy some," especially when you're pinched for time. While I can't speak to how this book compares with the others in BHG's "Ultimate" series, this particular installment hasn't disappointed.

I read cook books like novels. I wish I could have had this book in my cookbook library for the last 38 yrs. Excellent party theme suggestions and simple crowd pleasing recipes. The round the world flavors for whatever you are preparing are fantastic and easy. Sticks and Stones was a big wow at a recent holiday party (meatballs and wings with red and green roasted peppers)

I was amazed at all of the wonderful recipes in here! We tried a couple of them and they were so good :) They work great for things like parties and gatherings or just for home. I would definitely recommend having this book on hand if you are looking to be a food expertise. It has a lot of wonderful varieties of foods too.

Some of the recipies are a little hard to follow. But it gives a great variety of ideas for a new couple starting out who have no idea what to server other than chips and salsa.

I was expecting some great and grand new ideas from this cookbook. I was disappointed. Sure it has lots of recipes but they seem to be what everyone puts out there, no unique ideas. It is okay just not what I was hoping for.

I gave this book to a friend that is always going to gatherings where she needs to bring a dish to share, she loved it! After years of get togethers with the same people you get sick of the same old appetizers, this book was just what she needed to bust out of the rut of the familiar.

Lots of good ideas; includes less common, but easy appetizers, as well as some favorites. Like it better than my Martha Stewart appetizer book because of the great pictures. Have made numerous recipes with almost everyone a winner.Haven't tried the drinks because I wasn't really interested in those. Would have liked more non-alcoholic punches.

The cookbook was delivered just as I expected it to be, in new condition. The content looks very good too. I love to cook and am excited to use the cookbook. It is a great resource for someone who likes to entertain or make non-traditional meals too. A lot of the appetizers would go great with a salad or small side.