Double Dishing: The Dishing Women Entertain

Patricia A. Myers is a historian at the Historic Sites and Archives
Service, Alberta Community Development. She is the author of Sky Riders:
An Illustrated History of Aviation in Alberta, 1906–1945 and
Preserving Women’s History.

Double Dishing takes a comfortable yet confident approach to food and
entertaining that hits a welcome note in the cookbook genre. This is the
second book for its nine contributors, all women who cook, teach,
entertain, and inspire in Calgary, Alberta.

Recipes are arranged in categories: beginnings (starters), seconds
(soups and salads), main dishes (entrées), accompaniments (side
dishes), and endings (baking and sweets). The book begins with a series
of menus to take the guesswork out of preparing an occasion for friends.
There’s a brunch menu, dinner parties for spring and summer, a French
country dinner, a cocktail party, and a tasting menu.

The recipes feature fresh ingredients and are presented clearly. An
anecdote or a short introduction precedes each one, telling a bit about
the dish or about how and when the contributor likes to make it. Each
recipe is attributed to one of the nine authors, so you can follow your
favorite food writers easily. Every entry comes with a wine suggestion,
another helpful touch. The recipes are intriguing: Cedar-Planked Brie
with Roasted Garlic, Lentil Salad with Mint, Roasted Peppers and Feta
Cheese, The Not So Classic BLT (it features sourdough bread, arugula,
pancetta, and aioli along with the tomatoes), Almond Quesadillas with
Sautéed Nectarines and Mascarpone Cream, Caramel Pecan Banana Pumpkin
Muffins, and Miso-Braised Mushrooms on a Polenta Bed.

The book also features short essays by each of the contributors, which
reveal some of their own hilarious experiences entertaining. Double
Dishing is nicely illustrated, clearly laid out, and a pleasure to use.
It’s a fun cookbook brimming with great recipes and sensible advice.