Food for Friends by Fran Warde

The Dynamic Duo have done it again: Fran Warde on the cooking and Debi Treloar behind the camera and surprise, surprise, the publishers are Ryland Peters & Small.

In this, Fran's second's book, Food for Friends, she aims to take the hassle factor out of entertaining and the recipes contained within, all require minimum preparation yet are big on flavours and looks. Arranged by theme with the first section devoted to everyday entertaining, it couldn't be more simple to choose a menu. She has sensibly included a work plan of things that can be done ahead. Presentation is also looked at with some clever ideas thrown in to boot. Fran also suggests what to drink with each dish.

Themes covered are Express Dining, which includes poached egg and anchovy salad, followed by classic risotto and then baked stuffed apples with butterscotch sauce. This is handsome, good looking food that just has to be eaten or dived into. Helpings are generous, there is no mucking about with little bits of this and little bits of that. It is wholesome and full of sunshine which is just what you need when you've got friends around. Summer Sundown is a supper of seared tuna salad with lime and soy dressing. This is followed by sage stuffed pork fillet with puy lentils and spring onion dressing.

Turmeric lamb fillet with cous cous salad is a dish for all seasons although Fran suggests barbecueing it, why not sear it for a few minutes and then finish off in a hot oven. It is excellent for feeding large quantities of people. The lamb can be cooked earlier and served warm. Or if you do decide to cook in situ, give your guests some grissini sticks wrapped in Parma ham, too easy for words and they keep for an hour before sogginess starts to set in.

Part Two looks at more formal celebration, although the food is no more complicated than in Part One, perhaps just a little dressier. Again there is a plethora of good ideas. To get away from roasted tomatoes, Fran suggests stuffing a lump of mozzarella into a tomato and then baking until they begin to soften. Sprinkle with torn purple basil leaves and olive oil before serving. If you are looking for a light pudding, try raspberries in champagne jelly with looks to die for.

You will find some excellent recipes and ideas in Food for Friends. There are certainly plenty to choose from. There is no doubting that Fran is an accomplished cook. Fingers crossed for a hot summer. Is this a book that you should take on holiday with you? Fran and Debi did just that. They went down with their families to the South of France last summer to cook and shoot some of the pictures for this book. The proof is in the eating.

Publication details
159 pp. Photography by Debi Treloar. £20
Published by Ryland Peters & Small
ISBN 1841722790
2002

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