Bestselling TV cook Rachel Allen shares her down-to-earth style and easy-to-follow recipes for entertaining friends and family in your own home.

Friends, family, good food, good times - this is what entertaining is all about. It can be as relaxed as flopping down on the sofa with a few friends to share nibbles and drinks or a great big curry, or as formal as getting out your best china and ironing your tablecloth for a three-course meal. How you choose to share your time and your cooking creations with your loved ones is entirely up to you. What each kind of gathering has in common, however, is a happy, welcoming atmosphere, and the main ingredient for that is you.

In this beautiful, fully illustrated cookbook, Rachel shows you how easy and stress-free entertaining can, and should be. With her doable, delicious recipes there's no need to worry! Rachel is there with the helpful suggestions and mouth-watering recipes for which she is loved. She gives great advice about preparation, cooking and even gives an idea or two for pretty table decorations.

Her wise words, clever hints and tips and, above all, irresistible recipes will inspire readers to cancel their dinner reservations and entertain at home - no matter what the occasion, even if there's no occasion at all!

Chapters include:

• Daytime entertaining
• Casual meals
• Outdoor dining and barbeques
• Small bites and canapes
• Small celebrations
• Dinner parties
• Larger gatherings
• The buffet party

Recipes include:

Middle Eastern chilled cucumber soup
Fennel, orange & hazelnut salad
Winter leaf salad with pomegranate, apple & walnuts
Southeast Asian grilled fish
Honey Ginger Pork
Summer pea & mint ravioli
Roast duck breasts with white bean puree
Roast pork belly with a fennel & garlic rub
Beef & wild mushroom lasagne
White chocolate & ginger parfait with chocolate sauce
Mini coffee cupcakes
Amaretti with brandy & ice cream
Blueberry & custard tart
Tiramisu