As usual Martha Stewart’s impeccable taste and style win through with a very useful book for dinner parties. The recipes are broken into menus – each with a starter, sides + dessert. We (the family + but mainly me) love the preparation schedule at the beginning of each menu – what you can make in advance – what order to make it all it – how long it will take.

I haven’t made anything from this book yet – it is too perfect and I just am not quite sure where to start – I am content at the moment just to look and wait for the perfect combination of ingredients and inspiration to hit me.

The recipes all seem very achievable – lots of hearty home style cooking – nothing seems too fancy or overdone – the book is dedicated to hardworking families. With a seasonal chapter breakdown you can prepare your menus according to what is in season and the weather. Right now I am thinking spring/summer — baby lamb chops + asparagus with aioli + Quinoa, pea and mint salad + vanilla poached rhubarb – but all of you going into fall/winter how does this sound — Roast pumpkin soup + cheese flautas (deep fried wrap) with cilantro pesto + black eyed pea salad with baby green beans + apple cranberry crumble.