The Big Platter Cookbook: Cooking and Entertaining Family Style

In addition to offering 100 delicious-sounding recipes, this colorful cookbook has a social goal: to get readers to enjoy food in the company of family and friends. Temple (a former restaurant owner and author of a series of culinary thrillers) and Sinnes (author of three books on grilling) emphasize the communal aspect of eating as they present seasonal recipes for dinners designed to serve 8 to 12 people, but that can be adapted for larger gatherings. Yes, there's meatloaf (it's Company Meat Loaf, fancied up with hard-boiled eggs) and Tuna Noodle Casserole (kicked up with tuna steaks instead of the canned variety). But there are also innovative new dishes, like Eggplant Roll-Ups with Caramelized Onions, Oxtails with Green Olives, New Potato Salad with Grapes and Almonds, and Snapper a la Veracruzana. Many meals can be made ahead, freeing chefs to enjoy a glass of wine with their pals while they enjoy the delicacy that they've created. Photos.