Suggested snacks to serve with "travel agents"--those brolly-festooned tropical drinks that instantly transport you to de eye-lind, mahn--include Figs in a Blanket, a gorgeous canvas of fresh fig and Gorgonzola brushed with balsamic and walnut oil, then wrapped in prosciutto; and 'ZA!, mini-English-muffin pizzas with Cambozola and sun-dried tomatoes.
Some recipes require minimal prep or cook time. Spear Ecstasy, asparagus with a lemon-tarragon dip, and the Caprese Skewers--made with cherry tomato, mozzarella, and basil--are simplicity itself. But working with phyllo dough, a key ingredient in Mary's Little Lambs, has driven more than one talented amateur chef to swill down the cooking sherry. And a couple of the recipes could get spendy for your little clambake: the authors launch a preemptive strike at anyone intending to substitute lumpfish in their Eggstravaganza! by calling for high-quality caviar. But perhaps a question posed on the back of the book's dust jacket says it best: "Would Holly Golightly settle for chips and dip?" Maybe Tiffany's is no longer serving breakfast, but armed with Cocktail Food, they'd lay on one heck of a happy hour. --Tony Mason