Columnist Muriel Stevens: A side dish of thrifty cookbooks

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002 | 8:28 a.m.

Trade-size, paperback cookbooks are a good value holiday gift. The selection of subjects is terrific and most cost less than $20.

Here's a sampling. There are many more:

"A Haven of Delights," ($20).

Buy this small hard-cover recipe book and the proceeds will benefit Child Haven, the home for abused, abandoned and neglected children in Clark County. More than 200 volumes are still available. To purchase "A Haven of Delight" call Flora Jackson at Southwest Engineering at 648-9700. Wouldn't it be nice to have a sellout?

"Everyday Low Carb Cooking," by Alex Haas (Marlowe & Company, $16.95).

Haas, a former chef who worked in the kitchens of MGM Grand, offers 250 recipes (including desserts) for those who find sticking with a low carb diet a tough road.

"A Year of Russian Feasts," by Catherine Cheremeteff Jones (Jellyroll Press, $16.95).

Jones' "private" Russia includes tea at a friend's kitchen table, a springtime blini festival and an Easter feast. A charming, small volume.

"Christmas 101: Celebrate the Holiday Season from Christmas to New Years," (Broadway Books, $15).

A roundup of Rodger's favorite holiday recipes, including gingerbread cookies, chicken cassoulet, eggnog, glazed ham and my favorite sweet bread, Aunt Gisela's Gugelhopf.

"Quick Food: Easy Everyday Ideas for Busy Cooks," (Laurel Glen, $16.95).

Designed to create a delicious meal with minimum preparation. Although some dishes simmer or bake, others are ready to eat in no time. Not so quick, but a variety of delicious recipes.

"Better Food for Kids: Your Essential Guide to Nutrition for All Children From Age 2 to 6," by Joanne Saab, R.D. and Daina Kalnins, R.D. (Robert Rose, $17.95).

More than 100 kid-friendly recipes and more than 100 pages of nutritional information. Both authors are registered dieticians with The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

"125 Best Cheesecake Recipes," by George Geary (Robert Rose, $18.95).

Both sweet and savory cheesecake recipes. Geary has been the pastry chef and production manager for Walt Disney Corporation and Marriott Corporation. This is his first cookbook.

I like the lower-calorie and no-bake cheesecake recipes. A well-rounded selection.

"The Vegetarian 5-ingredient Gourmet: 250 Simple Recipes and Dozens of Healthy Menus for Eating Well Every Day," by Nava Atlas (Broadway Books, $15.95).

The title says it all, although this treasure trove of meatless dishes is streamlined for quick cooking. Not ready to make the vegetarian leap? Include some of the dishes along with your regular meals. It's a start.

"Betty Crocker's Cookbook: Everything You Need to Know to Cook Today," (Hungry Minds, $17.95).

Timeless, ageless "Betty Crocker's Cookbook" has been in print for 50 years. More than 60 million copies of this trusted basic cookbook have been sold. This is the ninth edition of "The BIG RED Cookbook." With its down-to-earth appeal it will probably go on forever.