cover image The Junior League at Home

The Junior League at Home

Association of Junior Leagues Internatio. Putnam Publishing Group, $29.95 (464pp) ISBN 978-0-399-15072-2

Drawing on the contributions from the Junior Leagues' numerous cookbooks, this latest offering celebrates eating with family and friends. With 48 suggested menus for every occasion and the time lines needed to produce them, the 400 recipes are divided by category. Each category is linked to a month of the year, and ranges from January's Appetizers to December's Cookies, Brownies & Bars. Each month is prefaced with some aspect of the work that the League does in the members' various communities. The recipes, many traditional, include standbys like the slightly spicy Deviled Eggs and the perennial Caesar Salad, but many reflect more contemporary cuisine, such as Pesto Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Balsamic Chicken Breasts. Interspersed are helpful hints and tips on entertaining, from place cards to table decorations, as well as a five-page section covering the declining art of napkin folding. Ranging in difficulty from easy to advanced, there is something suitable here for every level of proficiency. (Nov.)