Small Bites by Jennifer Joyce

Small Bites by Jennifer Joyce

If you’re an adventurous cook, and you’d like to impress some special guests or have some fun in the kitchen, take a look at Small Bites. Author/chef Jennifer Joyce specializes in creating elegant dishes that feature ingredients from all over the world. Hints for advance preparation, party decorations and beverages accompany recipes for such delights as Coconut Shrimp, Smoky Black Bean Dip, Glass Noodle Salad with Black Pepper Chicken and Chocolate Frangelico Pudding.
My first thought on spying the colorful cover of this book was, “fast snack ideas.” A closer look, though, suggests that this book is not mostly about yummy things that you’ll throw together quickly when the mood strikes. There are a few pages of speedy-preparation nibbles, dips and salads; but many of the recipes you’ll find here require some advance planning. Some call for items you may not keep on hand (fresh mozzarella, scallops, Thai curry paste) and most will take some time to prepare.
In keeping with the Small Bites theme, photos show the most delicate servings arrayed in tiny bowls or on undersized plates. Despite this suggestion of “just a little,” though, I think I could happily make a whole meal out of many of Joyce’s selections. The book provides a helpful list of food web sites at the end, so that lack of an ingredient won’t stop you from giving these intriguing recipes a try.
Gail Hintze

Joyce, Jennifer. Small Bites: tapas, sushi, mezze, antipasti, and other finger foods. New York: DK Publishing, Inc. 2005.