Bridgehampton Weekends: Easy Menus for Casual Entertaining

by Ellen Wright

Book Overview

Offers a collection of recipes culled from the culinary traditions of the South Fork of Long Island, gathered into menus for winter dinners, outdoor May lunches, and other occasions for festive meals... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688170919
• ISBN13: 9780688170912
• Release Date: July 2000
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 293 Pages
• Weight: 2.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.7" x 11.1"

Customer Reviews

This is a wonderful gift for friends!

Last month, I received Bridgehampton Weekends as a housewarming gift with a note: "Hope your home and friends are as warm as this book." It is the first book of it's type (cooking) that I've actually read from cover to cover. The stories and thoughts are wonderful and the recipes mix and match food in such clever ways -- from presentation to preparation to color and calories. And the special tips from Ellen in the margins of the book take any fear away -- what a good idea for an author to think ahead of how a reader could get in trouble! It's like she's with you in the kitchen. I can see why famous people like Tom Brokaw and David Brinkley love her way of entertaining. Finally, the pictures by Tom Eckerle are beautiful -- the Hamptons should be photographed more often. I keep the book on my coffee table rather than the kitchen. And I've sent at least ten books to my friends as gifts -- with warm notes.

Easy Elegant Entertaining

What would you get if you took Martha's eye for presentation but left off the obsessive-compulsive side? It would probably be something along the lines of Ellen Wright's beautiful book. Photographer Tom Eckerle's gorgeous pictures show off the natural beauty of The Hamptons as well as the artful arrangement of Wright's mostly casual home-style food. Many of the seasonally arranged menus feature old-fashioned dishes and none of the recipes could be mistaken for haute cuisine. Wright unabashedly uses baking mix and iceberg lettuce and wouldn't dream of asking you to make mayonnaise from scratch. Her philosophy is that inviting someone into your home for a meal is not about impressing them with your 4-star cuisine, but about making them feel comfortable and appreciated and well-fed. She reminds us that good food, lovingly prepared, an attractive setting and pleasant company are the hallmarks of gracious entertaining. She obviously is doing something right as James Beard and Tom Brokaw are but two of the luminaries who have graced her table and sung her praises. In an era of knock-your-socks-off culinary one-upmanship, Ellen Wright is a voice of gracious good sense. Relax, drop the pretense and enjoy entertaining again. Not to be missed: Banged Chicken and Brown Sugar Peach Pie.

Easy Elegant Entertaining--Thank You!

This book is beautiful with really attractive pictures of country living and entertaining-- in an elegant manner. But most cookbook authors present recipes and entertaining ideas that I would never try for an important occasion--never! They are complicated and scary if they are good, or they are boring. This book is different. Ellen Wright gives us great menus, tells us when they were a hit with(love the stories), and gives us tips on how to handle problems. Even I have tried three of the menus with no problems and thats amazing.

Yummy Food for Everyone!

I know, I know, I am the daughter of the author but I have to say something about the book. (Remember one can be objective about a family member). FIRST the quality of the food: I have been cooking a lot of these recipes - some for the past 15 years and they are something to be proud of! Really delicious and so easy. Exceptional recipes (which I literally dream about) include: lima bean & pea puree, the meat loaf, the split pea soup, the rice pilaf, the bourbon cake, the red velvet cake and the chicken fricassee. Just to name a few. SECOND the variety of foods and recipes: which is a tribute to the author and her life experiences and are truly diverse! Just look at how many cultures and countries are represented here. FINALLY, Tom Eckerle's photographs: which are exquisite and transforms the book into not only a well-worn cookbook but a "coffeetable book" as well. My hats off to you, mom. I'm proud of you. How nice of you to share with everyone.

Move over Martha and share your pedestal!

What marvelous ideas for entertaining family and friends! And the best thing is that with Ellen's recepies, you aren't stuck in the kitchen with endless preparation. I can't wait for Vol. II! Maybe something on casual dinner parties and small gatherings for NYC apartment dwellers?