A Table for Friends: The Art of Cooking for Two or Twenty by Skye McAlpine

  • Burrata with preserved lemons, mint & chilli (page 34)

    from A Table for Friends: The Art of Cooking for Two or Twenty A Table for Friends by Skye McAlpine

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Notes about Recipes in this book

  • Bresaola e grana

    • FlowerGold on February 23, 2026

      Super easy and good. Like being in Italy! Shaved cheese is better than grated but all good.

  • Sicilian couscous salad

    • Lepa on February 20, 2021

      This was a nice, simple lunch. I used the recipe more as an idea and didn't use the exact amounts listed in the recipe because there were only two of us eating- but it turned out well.

  • Rigatoni with mascarpone & pancetta

    • Lepa on January 31, 2021

      We went on a hike today and came hope to a mostly bare pantry so I threw this together- and it was delicious. The sauce thickens a bit after sitting for a couple of minutes, so I'd give it a few minutes if you think the sauce is too watery at first. This is a great back pocket recipe that is quick, simple and very good.

    • skvalentine on December 30, 2024

      This was delicious and enjoyed by everyone. Used prosciutto and leftover Christmas ham. Added extra mascarpone. (Made for the Boggs)

  • Sausages with grapes

    • FlowerGold on August 28, 2024

      Easy and tasty! Slightly sweet and spicy. Used sweet Italian chicken sausage. Instructions to brown the sausage on low. Had to raise the heat some and took longer than said to brown. Would add a little more wine next time as there wasn’t much “sauce” left. Would also remove the grapes from the vine; they are pretty as clusters but are messy to remove after cooked.

  • Poulet Anglais

    • lou_weez on April 25, 2022

      We enjoyed the taste but I found it hard to make the poached chicken look good when serving. It would probably work better chopped up, mixed with the dressing and used to fill finger sandwiches.

    • FlowerGold on July 30, 2024

      Agree with the other note about getting it to look right. The texture of my poached chicken just wasn’t what it needed to be - maybe it was too think so the outside was overcooked by the time the interior was done. The sauce was solid as I like tarragon.

  • Whole poached cold salmon

    • lou_weez on April 25, 2022

      Used only one side of salmon and reduced the poaching time. Served at room temperature which makes entertaining easy.

  • Torta Pasqualina

    • lou_weez on April 25, 2022

      Easy, looks good and tastes great. I served it cold as part of a buffet.

  • Aphrodite's roast chicken

    • Lafro on October 29, 2022

      Very simple flavours and easy to make. I really enjoyed the thin potato slices cooked underneath. Not my favourite roast chicken recipe but would happily make it again.

  • Cold roast topside of beef

    • lou_weez on April 25, 2022

      I followed the cooking times and was a bit nervous I had overcooked it. It turned out beautifully, pink inside. Is really good with the salsa verde and home-made mayonnaise.

  • A really good chicory salad with creamy mustard dressing

    • Lepa on January 10, 2021

      This salad dressing is a little bit different and very good if you like mustard (and I do)!

    • Lepa on January 31, 2021

      This has become our house salad dressing. My kids are obsessed with it and will eat any greens (even radicchio and dandelion) if I make this. Highly recommend!

    • Lafro on October 29, 2022

      Very nice salad dressing. Served with salad leaves and was still tasty.

  • A really good tomato salad

    • Lafro on October 29, 2022

      Always a great combination of flavours.

    • FlowerGold on August 08, 2024

      Nice and super easy. Perfect summer side. Very dependent on the ripeness and flavor of the tomatoes. Definitely salt.

  • Tomato, red onion & mint salad

    • FlowerGold on September 20, 2024

      Super easy and convenient side. Dependent on good tomatoes. Nice to mix tomatoes.

  • Beetroot & mint salad

    • lou_weez on April 25, 2022

      Delicious and easy, especially as I used pre-cooked beetroot.

  • Watermelon, feta & pistachio carpaccio

    • FlowerGold on July 31, 2024

      Good and super easy way to upgrade watermelon as a side salad.

  • Baby artichoke, fennel & pecorino salad

    • FlowerGold on May 29, 2025

      Solid salad side dish. Very easy. Something different. Would redo. Cheese brings it together.

  • Blood orange, red onion, black olive & basil salad

    • Pamsy on December 24, 2022

      Stuart made this with regular oranges. Excellent, so refreshing.

    • FlowerGold on June 10, 2025

      Nice with the balance between the sweetness of the orange and the buttery meatiness of the olives and the herbaceous of the basil with the oil bringing it all together. Is a simple and pretty salad. Would consider the onion optional.

  • Braised lentils with pancetta

    • Lepa on February 18, 2021

      These lentils are unique, with the strong fennel and pancetta flavor, and delicious. I was astonished when my kids at enormous portions and kept saying how great they were. A definite repeat!

  • Asparagus with lemon & toasted almond gratin

    • Pamsy on January 02, 2023

      Another great recipe from this book, the lemon and toasted almond gratin would also go well with other vegetables, especially green beans.

  • Green beans with baby tomatoes

    • lou_weez on April 25, 2022

      A simple and delicious way to enjoy beans.

    • FlowerGold on August 06, 2024

      Nice, easy and simple. Good off the heat and at room temperature.

  • Buttery carrots with chestnut honey

    • lou_weez on April 25, 2022

      I will be making these again, yummy and sweet, but not overly.

  • Pommes Dauphinoise

    • Pamsy on January 30, 2023

      This was more work than any Dauphinoise I've made before, as you have to cook the potatoes, cream, herbs on the hob for 15mins before it goes into the oven. However, it was well worth the extra effort, definitely the best version. Not a dish for everyday as it's quite rich and creamy, certainly good for entertaining and special occasions.

  • Butter-&-sage roast pumpkin

    • Lepa on February 18, 2021

      This dish was a total fail but I don't think it was all the recipe's fault. The resulting squash was charred and had an awful dry texture. I bought pre-cut kabocha and didn't love how dried out the squash looked before cooking so that might be part of the problem. Also, the recipe instructs you to dot the squash with butter but I think coating it with some oil- and adding butter for flavor later- might be a better technique. Finally, the recipe says to cook it at 170F or Gas 5. I thought 170 seemed too low so I converted Gas 5 to 375, which sounded better but in the end I ended up with inedible pumpkin. The flavors sound good so I will probably re-try this dish.

  • Creamy baked leeks with mustard & Parmesan

    • ALawson25 on June 17, 2021

      This was totally delicious (though madly unhealthy). Served alongside the Aphrodite roast chicken, went very well together and this is a favourite now.

  • Easy-peasy lemon meringue pie

  • Ambrosial apricots

    • Pamsy on May 16, 2025

      These are really good and simple to prepare ahead, when entertaining.

  • Apple & walnut crumble pie

    • ALawson25 on April 02, 2023

      https://www.you.co.uk/skye-mcalpine-apple-and-walnut-crumble-pie/

  • Home-made mayonnaise

    • lou_weez on April 25, 2022

      Made in the food processor which makes it easy and quick.

  • Salsa verde

    • lou_weez on April 25, 2022

      Delicious and really helps elevate the poached salmon and roast beef.

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Reviews about this book

  • Eat Your Books by Jenny Hartin

    The dishes are simple but elegant. The brilliance is ...recipes and detailed instructions that make our family and friends feel loved and cared for without causing the host undue stress and anxiety.

    Full review
  • ISBN 10 1526615118
  • ISBN 13 9781526615114
  • Published Jul 09 2020
  • Format Hardcover
  • Page Count 320
  • Language English
  • Countries United Kingdom
  • Publisher Bloomsbury

Publishers Text

'This is a beautiful cookbook, full of joyous, life-enriching recipes. I love it.' Nigel Slater

A Table for Friends celebrates the joy of eating with friends and family, with over 100 simple and wonderfully inviting recipes that allow you to relax with your loved ones whilst the cooking takes care of itself.

Drawing on years of cooking for more people than it ever seemed possible to squeeze into her kitchen, Sunday Times columnist and cookery author Skye McAlpine shares the secrets to her stylish and relaxed way of hosting, setting you up for success whether you're cooking for two or twenty.

A Table for Friends has recipes for every occasion, from last-minute weeknight dinners to large celebratory gatherings. Skye's recipes fall into four chapters, Stars, Sides, Sweets and Extras, which allow you to intuitively plan a simple and impressive menu, and, because juggling oven space is one of the biggest challenges when cooking for a crowd, each chapter is ingeniously organised into Throw Together, On The Hob and In The Oven so your menu works best for your mood, your kitchen and your time. Alongside these beautiful, deliciously do-able recipes comes Skye's practical, fuss-free guidance for hosting a stress-free gathering, from what to cook in advance to how to lay the table beautifully, allowing you to step out of the kitchen and relax with your guests.

For a super-easy roast why not try her Honey-roast poussins, Butter-&-sage roast pumpkin, Saffron fennel, A really good chicory salad with creamy mustard dressing and Winter fruit & mascarpone tart? Or for a wonderfully soothing pasta supper, Tagliatelle with gorgonzola, pear & walnut and Chocolate chestnut meringue cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

This is a cookbook to cook from: a helpful, approachable, down-to-earth kitchen companion that will give you the confidence to gather friends around your table and the inspiration to do so more often.

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