Church cookbook déjà vu

Once upon a time, most kitchens had a dog-eared, much stained cookbook assembled by the ladies of a local church. We've come to regard these collections with fond irony, but the fact is, they were a go-to resource. Still, they've fallen by the wayside as food tastes have changed. So it was with quiet delight that we found "Good Food From Mrs. Sundberg's Kitchen" (Adventure Publications, $14.95) on our desk. Holly Harden, who writes for "A Prairie Home Companion" (Garrison Keillor wrote the cookbook's foreword) assembled recipes from a Mrs. Sundberg, who writes a weekly column for the PHC website (http://bit.ly/P90XoM). Here we have bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, seven-layer bars, chow mein hot dish, chipped beef dip and so much more. Grape jelly meatballs? They're here! Oh, heck, we'll give you the recipe: 1 jar chili sauce, 1 cup grape jelly (or jam), 1 package meatballs (or make your own). Combine sauce and jelly and pour over meatballs in saucepan. Bring to a simmer until the party begins. Trust us, this is good eating.

Cook for the White House

Another sort of cooking challenge is the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge recipe contest, a joint project of First Lady Michelle Obama, the USDA, the U.S. Department of Education and Epicurious.com. If you are the parent of a budding chef between the ages of 8 and 12, you're invited to work together and send in your child's original lunch recipe inspired by the USDA's MyPlate. You and your child could win a trip to Washington, D.C., and you may have the opportunity to represent your state at the Kids' "State Dinner" at the White House. Recipes should be healthy, delicious, original, affordable and have a good story about how they came about. For details, visit www.recipechallenge.epicurious.com. Deadline is April 15.

Minnesota FoodShare

The Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches designates March as a time to raise funds and collect items for 300 food shelves within the state, through an effort called Minnesota FoodShare. Many groups will be holding food drives and fund­raisers during this month. To find out more, go to www.mnfoodshare.gmcc.org. As part of the focus on mealtime need, the Salvation Army has gathered recipes from local food personalities and has posted them on its site. Many recipes are for low-cost meals, and they will be available throughout March. Find them at www.salvationarmynorth.org.

Vegans, start your hot dishes

The second annual Twin Cities Vegan Hotdish Cook-Off is coming up March 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Fuller Park, 48th Street and Grand Avenue S. in Minneapolis — and they're still looking for a few more contestants. You'll need to present an original recipe that will vie for two prize categories: audience favorite and judges' pick, but there'll be runner-up prizes, too. Judges include cookbook author Robin Asbell, State Fair judge Susanne Mattison and the monochromatically stylish Scott Seekins. Interested? E-mail jenna@animalrightscoalition.com to register. Otherwise, show up on the 22nd to sample and taste for $1 per sample. The event benefits the Animal Rights Coalition.

Vote early, vote often

If you've been itching to vote for something — anything — Andrew Zimmern has an election for you. The Munchies: People's Choice Food Awards are back for their third year. Zimmern, whom we know as a local but also has this gig on the Travel Channel called "Bizarre Foods," worked with General Mills' Tablespoon.com (a panel of 40 celebrity foodies) to come up with a list of nominees vying for titles such as best food truck, best food city and best chef. Minnesota has several nominees: Amy Thielen for best cookbook, Izzy's for best ice cream, Surly Brewing Co. for best craft brewery and Icehouse for best Bloody Mary. Not that we'd be parochial about anything. You can vote daily through March 31 at www.Tablespoon.com. The contest benefits Feeding America, a hunger relief charity.

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