Gourmet Game Night

While many types of entertainment have suffered during the recession, the popularity of board games is on the rise. And with more game nights at home, there of course is the need for more hours d'oeuvres. Gourmet Game Night by Cynthia Nims comes to the rescue and applies several different snack strategies in an effort to eliminate such social dilemmas as sticky playing cards, greasy dice, and stained Monopoly money. Skewers make for a perfect hands-off approach to treats like lamb and olive kebabs and herb-marinated shrimp. Sandwiches are a time-honored way to stay dainty. Among the ten offered are chicken salad with orange and walnuts and petits croque monsiers with Gruyere and plum tomatoes. And if it is a food that cannot be stabbed or placed between slices of bread, it can probably be miniaturized and self-contained. Witness the baby baja tacos, where seafood, cilantro, and sour cream are wrapped tight in a six-inch tortilla, or the stuffed large pasta shells with kale-rocotta filling. Nims also includes tiny desserts such as mocha cheesecake bars and large drinks like lava lounge punch, with rum and Chambord, to help placate sore losers.