Tired of turkey? Yawning over yams? The Blue Willow Bookshop has the cookbook for you with Rebecca Rather's Pastry Queen Parties: Entertaining Friends and Family, Texas Style. Rather, who will present and sign her book today, has created a party guide full of food with a Texas taste. Blue Willow Helper Extraordinaire Kate Mai isn't sure if Rather was born here, but says "she's lived in Texas most of her life." So it makes sense that the book has different parties set in different regions of Texas. "One is a West Texas ranch-style supper; one is a San Antonio fiesta party; one is a Gulf Coast beach party," says Mai. "And she also uses ingredients that are readily available to us here." Mai likes the helpful hints in the book as well. Rather's got a "party express that can be prepared in 60 minutes or less, and she also has early-preparation tips." Some of the more memorable recipes include "watermelon mojitos, slow-baked brisket with bourbon mustard barbecue sauce, and puffy tacos with bison chili." Get your mouth watering today when Rather signs the cookbook at 1 p.m. Leibman's Wine & Fine Foods, 14529 Memorial Drive. For information, call 281-497-8675 or visit www.bluewillowbookshop.com. Free.
Sun., Dec. 13, 1-3 p.m., 2009