Entertaining on the Run

Sorosky ( Cookery for Entertaining ) observes, ``There is no question about it, in today's frenetic world, with little time and money to spare, we need to find more casual and relaxed ways to entertain without running ourselves ragged.'' And so her book takes shortcuts, endorses healthier food (e.g., ``less fat'') and also considers the prospect of team-cooked festivities (``the burden on the host is reduced''). She organizes her book by genre and theme, such as the grill (``Round Moon Japanese Box Supper,'' ``Grilled Paella Party'') and morning fare (``Brunch on the Mediterranean,'' ``Breakfast for Weekend Guests''), offers general advice and outlines many well-planned, imaginative recipes. (Included are ``extra points'' sidebars that propose more elaborate preparations--e.g., ``make a circus wagon'' for a child's circus-theme birthday party--than the bare minimum.) The author's range, efficiency and inventiveness combine to persuade and entertain before her readers have set out their mixing bowls; it will be difficult even for the hard-pressed to resist her call to throw a party. Photos not seen by PW. BOMC HomeStyle main selection . (May)