Talk with Your Mouth Full: The Hearty Boys Cookbook

Hosts of the Food Network show ""Party Line with The Hearty Boys,"" Smith and McDonagh artfully update the familiar in this collection of party-ready recipes. The duo offer traditional recipes such as Chicken Pot Pie and Crawfish etouffee, but the majority of dishes are delightful updates: Deviled Eggs are garnished with lumpfish caviar, roasted potatoes get a burst of flavor from lemon and Old Bay seasoning and saffron gives an unexpected twist to risotto cakes. The veteran caterers also instruct hosts on the number of glasses to have on hand, the proper method for opening champagne, the best times for scheduling parties and how to chill wine in a hurry. A bountiful list of unusual cocktails range from oft-forgotten classics like the gin-based Pegu Club to an updated Cosmopolitan that employs peach vodka, rosemary syrup, white cranberry and lemon juice; their crown jewel, however, may be an easy but impressive Almond Punch, which features a frozen ring of almonds that floats in the punch bowl. Crowd-pleasing desserts include the ingenious, sophisticated and relatively simple White Chocolate Risotto with Orange Ganache, studded with tart red cherries and garnished with white chocolate shavings. Rounded out with an alcohol buying guide and sample menus-complete with timelines-would-be entertainers will treasure this one-stop party resource.