Paper Palate

One of the favorite books I received this past holiday season is I Like You: Entertaining Under the Influence by comedian Amy Sedaris. It is one of the most unique cookbooks I have ever seen. She combines funny stories, arts and crafts, and recipes all in one. Since the book is about entertaining, each chapter is for a target audience of people you would have a party for. One is for Lumberjacks, one is for blind dates, one is for rabbits, one is for gypsies . . . What? You don’t throw parties for Gypsies? Well Amy shows you how just in case you want to complete with gift ideas and recipes for things like Potatoes Cooked in a Tin Can, Toast on a Stick and Gimmie Somemores.

So far I have made three recipes from this book: Tula’s Country-Style Greek Salad, Crosscut Stump Stew, and Tiddlywinks Toadstool Pie.

The photography in this book is very artistic and there all sorts of craft ideas provided as well. Learn how to make themed centerpieces and party decorations in addition to what food to prepare. Amy loves googly eyes and uses them on everything from peanuts to invitations and she has issued the Amy Sedaris Craft Challenge: add googly eyes to any item of food!

Amy Sedaris will be on New York Public Radio’s Leonard Lopate Show on Friday February 9, 2007 and she’s picking the winner of her googly eye food craft challenge! Check out the Flickr pool of entries submissions because it will definately put a smile on your face. Then go ahead and make your own googly-eyed food, take a picture of it and enter the Amy Sedaris Craft Challenge.