Amazon.com (ISBN 0609800264, Paperback)

Almost Vegetarian Entertaining offers upbeat support for planning your next party or casual get-together. It includes recipes for the same kind of original cooking that Shaw showcased in her Essential Vegetarian Cookbook, but with an emphasis on dishes perfect for parties. This time, some of Shaw's pleasingly creative dishes are Jalapeno-Spiked Vegetables Stewed in Peanut Sauce, and an Apple Risotto with tangy cheddar cheese. As the title of Almost Vegetarian suggests, seafoods and poultry are used in about a third of the dishes--but the main emphasis is still on vegetarian cooking.

Shaw's reassuring tone and relaxed advice on menu selection, setting the table, and coping with failed recipes will calm the nerves of any cook who views entertaining as a big deal. One way to simplify your work is by serving up a cheese tray. Following Shaw's advice, you might offer a combination of the great Spanish blue, Cabrales, tangy Vermont farmhouse cheddar, and a creamy, mild, fresh goat cheese.

The recipes in Almost Vegetarian Entertaining will make any gathering memorable. The main course might be shellfish and barley served in scooped-out orange shells, or meatless chickpeas simmered with coconut and Indian spices. Add yeasty Chocolate Bread, and end the meal with Glace. This frozen combination of ricotta cheese and buttermilk flavored with rich chocolate or real vanilla is another Shaw original.

You do need moderate cooking skills to enjoy this book. Shaw is informative about entertaining, and writes good, clear recipes, in which she assumes you have basic culinary techniques. --Dana Jacobi