Let's get together! It's the cheerful refrain at the end of countless conversations with friends and family members. It's the shared anticipation of stress-free socializing and good times with friends and plenty of delicious food. With this appealing cookbook packed with simple crowd-pleasing recipes and complete menu suggestions for every occasion, Let's get together"" becomes a promise that weekend cooks will look forward to keeping.

Whether the occasion calls for a lavish brunch spread a fun and fancy collection of cocktail nibbles for office friends an over-the-top plated meal meant to impress or anything in between, authors and entertaining partners DeeDee Stovel and Pam Wakefield have the preparations well in hand. They offer 175 recipes -- tested and retested at their own gatherings -- that will please every palate without trapping the cook in the kitchen for hours on end.

Need a plan for a Memorial Day picnic with the neighbors? How about healthy nachos with fresh salsa, grilled pocket burgers,chopped cucumber salad and vanilla ice cream with strawberries and hot bittersweet sauce. Or try zucchini bisque, Greek shrimp salad and individual lemon pudding cakes for a special book club gathering, and red beans and rice make a wonderful alternative to chili when friends are coming over to watch the big game.

No matter what the party demands -- child-friendly food for a family get-together, dainty tea sandwiches for a bridal shower or a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner -- the authors have done it all before. Let's Get Together offers all the delicious recipes, well-planned menus and relaxed advice that make casual entertaining a pleasure.