Family Style: Shared Plates for Casual Feasts

Homemade Dishes to Feed a Crowd

Gather around the table with friends and loved ones for a casual feast any night of the week. Karen Tedesco, founder of the award-winning website Familystyle Food, makes it easy to plan and prepare delicious meals designed to be brought to the table for all to share. This incredible collection of simple, small bites and vibrant salads, soups, deceptively elegant pastas and mains (and even desserts!) are meant to be arranged on trays, heaped into big bowls and placed right in the center of your dinner table for everyone to mix and match as they please. It makes for a fun, lively meal that ensures each guest gets exactly what they want; plus, it saves you tons of time in the kitchen―no more timing out courses or worrying about portions!

Karen’s recipes make ample use of fresh, seasonal ingredients that don’t cost a ton, are simple enough to prepare on any weeknight and offer something to please every palate. She offers dish-pairing suggestions throughout, such as a Mediterranean-style feast (Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs with Chickpeas, Charred Broccoli Salad and Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables), a Mexican-themed spread (Black Bean Tostadas with Avocado Mash, Beer-Braised Pulled Pork and Chicken Posole Verde) or a hearty vegetarian meal (Roasted Za’atar Cauliflower Salad, Rigatoni with Walnut-Parsley Pesto and Garlicky Greens with Olive Oil). You can also customize to your personal tastes and construct your own inspired combinations. These 60 mouthwatering recipes will help you transform any gathering into an impromptu celebration of friends, family and food.