Morgan Barnes, Special to The San Francisco Chronicle

It's actually a review of Pam Anderson's "Perfect Recipes for Having People Over"

Some pointers from the book:

We should actually stop "entertaining." The word implies a fancy meal, with trips to different stores for special ingredients, flowers and wine. When we entertain, we have to scrub the house, iron the table linens, polish the silver and glasses -- everything has to be perfect. By the time the first guest arrives, we are exhausted and in no mood to have fun.

On the other hand, when we simply "have people over," the focus is on our friends and family enjoying a meal together. It ultimately becomes a much more pleasant experience.

There are plenty of tips for planning your meals, having things on hand that can be reheated and made quickly and still taste fresh. It's all about keeping your life simply and uncluttered.