Desperation Entertaining!

How Desperate Are You? (2)

All of the Desperate Details: Fast and Fabulous and Phased and Flexible menus, how to make your own game plans for entertaining, and what to keep in a Desperate Pantry so you can entertain with just a moment's notice.
What! Dinner Tonight? (5), The Do-Ahead Solution (10), The Basic Equipment (12), How to Make Your Own Game Plans (16), Desperation Symbols (21)

Beguiling Beverages (22)

Beverages that are a cinch to serve in warm weather—think Frozen Fruit Smoothies—or cold—think Rich Hot Chocolate. Plus drinks that can be made with and without alcohol.
Serving Wine? (24), Beer Buying Rules (26), About Serving Hot Beverages (30), Designated Drivers Must Drink, Too (33), The Perfect Pitcher (34), About the Ice Bucket (36)

Entertaining Entrees (80)

Festive and substantial no-sweat main dishes. Look for Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Fingers, Pepper-Sauced Pasta with Ham and Asparagus, Lazy Spinach Lasagna, and Baked Party Paella.
Making More Space at the Table (84), Pasta Perfect for a Crowd (86), Perfect Basic Pasta (88), The Pasta Pot (93), The boss is Coming (100), Buy a Big Ham (103), Game Night (107), Meat Loaf—The Perfect Family dinner (109), Basic White Rice 1(20), Pick a Place to Eat (123), Containers of Your Dreams (125).

The good Ol' Crock-Pot (128)

Everything goes into the slow cooker effortlessly for dishes like New Old-Fashioned Pot Roast, Big Beefy Burritos, Our Favorite Spaghetti and Meatballs, or Chill-Out Chicken Chili.
About Buying a Slow Cooker (131), About Crock-Pots and This Book (135), The Poker Party (138), Kid-Friendly Ideas (141), About Children's Birthday Parties (145), About Using a Slow Cooker (149)

The Casual Cookout (150)

Gather guests around the grill for Amazing Steaks, Stuffed Bacon-Cheddar Burgers, Vacation Fish Boats, and Portbello Mushroom "Steak" Sandwiches.
Handling Hot Peppers (156), Little Things Count (159), Gas Grills (162), Hot Dogs for All (167), Gadgets: Burger Presses (173), The Yard Olympics (174), Cookout Essentials for a Smooth Evening (177), Let's Hear it for the Garlic Press (179), Baby-Sitter Salvation, Sort Of (181), Fish for Company? Build a Boat (183), Foil Baggin' It (187)

Standout Salads (188)

Delicious, main dish salads and side salads are a snap to throw together for company. Try Chunky Chicken Salad with Macadamia Nuts, Niçoise Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette, Louise's Big Bowl Slaw, or Rainbow Wild Rice Salad.
Back Home and Hungry? Think Salads (193), Pretty Food in a Pinch (197), Salad in a Sandwich (201), About Buying Shrimp (207), Salad Greens (213), Precooked Bacon? Come On! (218), Dressing Up Yur Salad (220), Sing for Your Supper (223), The Coleslaw Show (227), Desperate Holidays (231), Take It on the Road (232), Serve Up Some Art (245)

Super Simple Sides (246)

Reliable side dishes that get to the table without taxing the cook. Think of Perfect Baked Potatoes, Dressed-Up Asparagus, Can-Do Corn on the Cob, or Succotash with a Twist.
Potato Mashers (249), Our Idea of Decorations (250), Dealing with Garlic (259), Roasted Garlic (262)

Everybody's Brunch (268)

Casseroles and quiches put together ahead of time are hot and tasty when guests arrive. Baked Omelet with Italian Salsa, Eggs Benedict Casserole, Overnight French Toast Casserole, and Three-Cheese Broccoli Quiche are all crowd pleasers.
Bring on the Bagels (271), The Fail-Proof Breakfast Casserole (27), Dihing It Out (281), Almost-Instandt Breakfast Fix-Ups (284), School's In! Mom's Special Brunch (287)Giving Breakfast and International Flavor (291)

Decadent Desserts (298)

Fast and gratifying desserts like Easy Elegant Pears with Red Wine Glaze, Strawberry Shortcake Trifle, Apple Brown Betty, and Granny Zeta's Pecan Pies let you end the meal gracefully.
The Ice Cream Sundae Social (302), Desperate Ways to Decorate That Desssert (308), The Elegant Trifle Bowl (310), The Peppermint Parable (317), The Desperate Dish (325), Easy, Equitable Slicing (327), The Party's Over (334)