Daisy's Holiday Cooking

Harried cooks in need of ideas for holiday gatherings will appreciate Martinez's (Daisy: Morning, Noon and Night) latest Latin-themed collection of multi-course menus for gatherings of all sizes. With recipes grouped by event, a Thanksgiving buffet for 12 includes a Peruvian take on ceviche (skewers of red snapper marinated in lemon, lime and orange) and an achiote-rubbed roasted turkey with a chile-fruit mole; a Christmas Eve dinner for six includes Tamarind Margaritas and the challenging Arroz Con Pato, roasted duck served over a rich base of rice cooked in duck broth. Dishes like Caribbean Spring Rolls with chorizo and shrimp and a Potato, Fig, and Blue Cheese Quiche are keepers for any season or event, while others, like Lobster with Sherried-Shallot Béchamel and the very rich Coquito, a Puerto Rican version of eggnog, are probably best left as once-a-year treats. Preparation schedules provide timelines and detailed instructions for making items well in advance, and helpful photo guides give novices confidence. Entertainers looking for a twist on the classics or simply a new dish to bring to a holiday potluck will find plenty of flavorful ideas here. (Nov.)