Represents more than a decade's worth of original recipes that celebrate the Christmas season, and a selection of favorite holiday menus, from relaxed breakfasts to formal dinners.

Here are the best ideas for the holiday season, culled from the pages of "Martha Stewart Living" magazine. Step-by-step, detailed instructions for creating paper crafts, gifts and ornaments, wrap, ribbons, and more accompany ideas for entertaining and parties, table settings, and directions for making the perfect standing rib roast or turkey. A bonus calendar helps guide readers to planning the perfect Christmas. Color photos.

Recipes in this book represent more than a decade's worth of developing, testing, retesting, writing, and editing.

A collection of traditional holiday crafts and recipes offers seasonal drinks and desserts, Christmas decorations, design tips, gift suggestions, cash projects, and other festive items featuring a variety of materials.

Ten years ago, Martha Stewart made cooking a primary focus of her bold new magazine, Martha Stewart Living. Over the decade, each issue has been a treasure of culinary information and inspiration, bringing the pleasures of cooking and entertaining--in impeccable style--to millions of devoted readers, from novice cooks to professional caterers. At last all of Martha's favorite magazine recipes have been gathered in a single volume. The Martha Stewart Cookbook is a compendium of the best of the best from the food pages of every issue. But more than a mere collection, this specially designed volume is a major step in Martha's mission to keep home cooking traditions alive. The Martha Stewart Cookbook is filled with recipes--1200 in all--for every kind of cook and every occasion. Some recipes invite you to stretch your cooking knowledge and expertise while others provide inspiration--and instruction--for what to have for dinner. Organized, in trademark style, for maximum practicality and ease of use, this major general-purpose cookbook features nineteen classically arranged chapters, from Basics, Breakfast, and Hors d:Oeuvres to Meat, Poultry, Fish and Shellfish and Desserts. In between there are Salads, Soups, Vegetables and whole chapters devoted to Vegetarian Main Courses and Potatoes. Throughout, there are basic classes--cooking 101s--for making food that should be in every cook's repertoire: macaroni and cheese, omelets, roast turkey, fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Specialty dishes are here, too, whether the occasion calls for a casual cocktail party, dinner with the in-laws, or a sit down luncheon for a bride-to-be. Cooking tips and techniques, pantry and equipment glossaries plus a guide to finding unusual ingredients make the kitchen tested recipes accessible to home cooks everywhere. An ideal reference, The Martha Stewart Cookbook belongs on every kitchen counter in America. Martha Stewart is the author of thirteen best-selling original books on food, entertaining, gardening, and home restoration, is the chairman and chief executive officer of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She lives in Connecticut, Maine, and on Long Island.

Gorgeous seasonal fruits abound in Martha Stewart's collection of 100+ dependable recipes for crumbles, crisps, pies, buckles, and more. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR BY FOOD NETWORK From perfectly ripe peaches and plump, tender figs to crisp, honey-sweet apples and bright, juicy citrus, Martha Stewart's Fruit Desserts celebrates easy-to-prepare recipes that highlight the fresh, vibrant flavors of fruit at its peak. In spring and summer, delight in warm-weather desserts such as Red-Fruit Pavlovas, Vanilla-Rhubarb Tart, and Double-Crust Peach Slab Pie. When the days grow shorter and cooler, enjoy cozy comforts including Apple Fritters, Fig and Almond Crostata, Poached Pear and Cranberry Pie, and Polenta-Grape Snacking Cake. Whether you're in the mood for an old-fashioned countertop classic or a modern treat with an elevated touch, these comforting, delicious desserts will gratify all year long.

Offers advice on planning menus and table setting for different types of parties, including Texas barbecues, skating parties, and country picnics.