Book report for Dec. 18, 2008

• By CHERAMIE SONNIER
• Advocate Food writer
• Published: Dec 18, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Christmas is the perfect time to give the family’s favorite cook a special cookbook. But other folks on the gift list might welcome a cookbook under the tree, too. Some who don’t cook enjoy reading about food and collecting cookbooks.

In addition, this holiday season offers lots of good kid-friendly cookbooks for the child who’s showing an interest in cooking (or maybe could use a little fun along with encouragement to read).

Or really get into the spirit of Christmas by selecting a well-designed and recipe-packed community cookbook that will benefit a local charity or service organization.

Here are some suggestions for new cookbooks which would fit into these gift-giving categories.

■ The local Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which has served the needy and homeless in the Baton Rouge area since 1865, has just released “Taste and See, food for the body and soul.”

St. Vincent de Paul newsletter recipients and members of the Manna Givers, who provide suppers for the Bishop Ott shelters, were among those who contributed their favorite, not necessarily original, recipes for the cookbook project.

The five-member core cookbook committee, which wishes to remain anonymous, then found volunteers to help test the recipes.

All proceeds from the sale of “Taste and See” will be used to help support the nonprofit’s various services, including its shelter program, dining room and St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy. Cost of the 208-page hardcover cookbook is $23.93, including tax. It is available in all the St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores, by calling (225) 383-7837, ext. 0, or through the Web site at http://www.svdpbr.com/.

“This is the first St. Vincent de Paul Society to do a cookbook, as far as we know,” administrative assistant Lisa Hubble said. “We hope we are starting something.”

Volunteer Kathy Bishop pointed out that the cookbook is the result of efforts not only by members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a Catholic international lay organization, but also by volunteers from other religious organizations and churches. “It is truly a community effort rather than just a St. Vincent de Paul endeavor,” Bishop said.

Funds to publish the cookbook came from individuals and businesses. Donating their services were Kleinpeter Photography, which took the book’s numerous color photographs, and graphic designer Rebecca Maher.

The book includes a foreword by chef John Folse, a longtime supporter, along with a chapter of his recipes. Another chapter features large-quantity recipes, such as Red Beans and Rice that serves 20 and Hot German Potato Salad for 30. Among the book’s other recipes are Shrimp Baton Rouge, Commander’s Palace Turtle Soup au Sherry, Crawfish Pie, African Chicken, Creole Pork Chops, Vegetable Casserole, Passover Cake and Pralines.

Each of the book’s chapters opens with a moving short story about one of St. Vincent de Paul’s programs.