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At Home Cafe Gatherings for Family and Friends
by Helen DeFrance

With the publication of her first At Home Café cookbook, Helen Puckett DeFrance took her message of family bonding through cooking into homes all across America. Their tried and-true recipes, an inspired mix of old and new traditions, highlighted the pleasures of casual, at-home get-togethers with family and friends.

Now DeFrance is back with an all new At Home Café cookbook, and once again casual entertaining takes center stage. Building on how the first book involved the whole family in the kitchen, this new volume features entertaining with friends and neighbors, including Neighbor Notes on complementary dishes that guests can bring. A wealth of menus is offered for spontaneous occasions as well, from the unstructured fun of a neighborhood picnic (featuring Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders and Po-Boy Sandwiches) to the relaxing weekend pleasure of a Southern jazz brunch (with Crab and Artichoke Casserole, Cheddar Cheese Puffs with Apple Smoked Bacon, and Creamy Dreamy Berry Treats). A countdown for every menu makes planning a breeze.

The author is a veteran cooking school teacher with a knack for keeping things simple. Whether it is a hearty soup served around the fireplace on a cold winter's night; a make ahead casserole for those evenings when there's no time to cook; or a low-key tree-trimming get-together during the high-stress holidays, a whole lot of comfort is served up in these delectable dishes designed to create special memories with loved ones.


At Home Cafe by Helen DeFrance & Leslie Carpenter

Known throughout the South for their distinct blend of delicious, heart-warming recipes and easy-to-follow instructions, cooking teachers Helen Puckett DeFrance and Leslie Andrews Carpenter firmly believe that the foods we love can bring loved ones closer. To prove their point, they’re sharing their most remarkable tried-and-true recipes, assembled into 19 distinct menus
drawn from their own family favorites.

You’ll find dozens of irresistible creations, perfect for everything from bake sales and brunches to Sunday dinners and backyard burger bashes. Plenty of regional favorites are included, like Crispy Brown-Sugar Bacon and Cornbread Gems, as well as Leslie’s foolproof recipe for the perfect pie crust and Helen’s grandmother’s instructions for an unforgettable Cream-Cheese Pound Cake.

With more than 140 incredible dishes to choose from, each one tested by the acclaimed Viking Cooking School in Greenwood, Mississippi, every menu features tips on how to simplify the cooking process and advice on what can be prepared ahead. Individual shopping lists for each chapter can conveniently tucked in a pocket at the back of the book, earning this collection a guaranteed spot on family cookbook shelves for generations to come.