The savvy women in my book groups read --- and cook!  And not coincidentally, they all use THE BAREFOOOT CONTESSA cookbooks!  Stephany Grossman, from the Last –Tuesday- Night of the Month group, admits that when she has guests—and book group—everyone knows to expect Barefoot Contessa recipes.  These are some of her favorites—and they’re fabulous.
 
AT HOME                   Lemon Yogurt Cake, p. 168
IN PARIS                   Salmon and Lentils, p.  136
BACK TO BASICS       Indonesian Grilled Swordfish, p. 134
 
Marjorie Rosencrans makes everything seem effortless, and her book group went wild for Couscous with Pine Nuts, p. 101, from AT HOME.
 
My favorite recipe from AT HOME—and one of Jeff Pandolfino’s favorite summer-on-the-deck dinners is the Roasted Shrimp and Orzo Salad, p. 74.  Here’s a tip from Jeff that I wrote in the margin of the recipe:  mix the orzo with some oil before cooking; it prevents sticking. 
 
Alice Stuart was the hostess with the mostess of last night’s book group (they discussed Meir Shalev’s A PIGEON AND A BOY), and her entire scrumptious menu came from FAMILY STYLE:    she served poached salmon with two sauces;  Brown Rice, Tomatoes, and Basil Salad, p. 63; Green Salad with Creamy Mustard Vinaigrette, p. 42; and a to die for dessert, Stewed Berries and Ice Cream, p. 148.
 
Let us know what your book group serves.  Remember when everybody was reading MIDDLESEX by Eugenides?  I couldn’t even look at  stuffed grape leaves after awhile!