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Of all the memorable parts of dirty Judy Blume books, there is one that makes my mouth water in a wholesome way. Might've known it'd be food writing. "Justine was the ultimate caterer, the finest, the classiest, the most gourmet. Sandy knew the menu by heart. So did all the other guests. There would be no palatable surprises. But no one would go hungry. Crab fingers, marinated mushrooms, miniature pizzas, cheese and spinach quiche, tiny shells filled with chicken a la king, giant shrimp to hold by the tail, and later, at midnight, Justine herself would emerge from the kitchen, offering whole fillets of beef, slice before your very eyes and placed on squares of hot garlic brea, eliminating the hostess's need for renting china or silverware. And later still the buffet table would be laden with delectable French pastries and freshly brewed coffee." -- "Wifey" by Judy Blume (Pocket Books, 1978) I learned a lot of things from Judy Blume, not least of which wa...

Some of the tried-and-true recipes in my personal cookbook come from the "back of the box." Those are the recipes companies put on products -- whether they come in boxes or cans -- to show consumers different ways to use them in hope that they buy more. I found a variation of this recipe on the back of a can of Del Monte corn more than four years ago. I don't make it a lot but it is easy as in quick to make, inexpensive and good on cold fall evenings. SMOKY CORN AND POTATO CHOWDER 1 1/2 cups milk 1 14-ounce can creamed corn 1 cup cubed cooked ham 1 14-ounce can diced new potatoes, drained 1 can golden sweet corn, drained 1 cup shredded smoked cheddar, Swiss or Gouda cheese Stir milk into creamed corn in large saucepan. Add ham, potatoes and whole kernel corn. Heat through, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted. Serves 4.

I bought a mess of kale. It was in the middle of butter-white flour-sugar season and I felt compelled to do something really healthy for myself and my family. I remembered having a spicy kale dish with peanut butter sauce two autumns ago at a potluck celebrating eating foods grown within 50 miles. Going against that principle, regretfully, I bought a 1-pound plastic bag of prewashed and chopped kale greens. Wouldn't you know, when I got home, I couldn't find my cookbook with the recipe in it? Searching for one like it, I found two recipes for other kinds of dishes that I tried this week and used up the kale. I say "I tried" when I should say "My husband made them." I've been sick with the respiratory crud that seems to have everyone down. No better time than to eat nutrient-rich leafy greens, and in hot soup, too! Thanks for picking up the slack, honey! A champion of local foods shared the recipes with the newspaper for which I used to work. Susan Sauter...