By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
October 2, 2003

Delicious home cooking to many is one of life's finest gifts.

Through the years, recipes have been passed down from generation to generation in families and by community or church cookbooks. Cookbooks continue to be a used as fundraisers for various church groups.

This year the Catholic Daughters, Court St. Joseph #1554, of Bode put out their first cookbook in nearly 20 years. The book's title is Home cooking: A St. Joe Tradition.

Betty Berte, co-chair of the project, explained that they previously put together two cookbooks prior to this and they were very good for the organization. These books were published in 1964 and 1984.

The co-chair of the project, Rita Sue Marso, pointed out that the use of cookbooks as a fundraising project appears to be strong as several books were published in their area this past summer.

Another member of the CDA court, Norma Reding, explained that once the cookbooks are put together, it is a relatively easy way to make money. And with a parish the size of St. Joseph's - about 120 families - trying to put on big dinners can be a difficult task.

Helen Gales, a member of the CDA at Bode, pointed out that there are 900 recipes in the book.

Parishioners were asked to contribute recipes.

"We listed categories as suggestions like meats, breads, soups, desserts - but it was up to them what they wanted to turn in. We asked them for six recipes," noted Marso. "Everyone's recipes are in. If there were duplicates - the exact same recipe - then we put two names on one recipe."

After the recipes were submitted a group of CDA members reviewed them.

"We decided that there were some recipes we needed a few more of, so we found some in the other (CDA) cookbooks," she said. "If it was someone's mother who was no longer living, we put something like Mary's recipe by Shelly. We got a nice variety of recipes. We were very satisfied with the recipes and everyone who has bought the book says the same thing."

While many things remain the same, the Catholic Daughters noticed many things did change since their last cookbook.

One of the things they noticed was that many of the recipes were designed to be quick and easy.

"It reflects on the times. Everyone is working and people don't have time to spend hours in the kitchen, so if they can put together something fast that seems to be good," said Berte. "We also have a large section with crockpots, which I think is very interesting. They put something in the crockpot and then head out the door to work. When they come home, in 15 minutes they can put supper on the table."

Another change, Marso noted, was that they sought recipes from all parishioners, not just women. Some men and children submitted recipes. She added that this was the first time their book had recipes from men.

"Another thing we did this time was put the first names of the women in," noted Reding. For example, rather than Mrs. Don Reding, her name was listed as Norma Reding. Likewise, if a husband wanted a recipe in, his name was listed without the wife's.

She pointed out that for this cookbook they listed the ingredients in order.

"We made it a little easier for young people to follow the recipes because they would look in previous cookbooks and it would say mix all together and bake - not the size of the pan or the temperature," explained Reding.

In the past, it was taken for granted that people would know how to put it together and bake it. In this new cookbook they listed the ingredients in order, explained how to mix, the proper pan size and baking time.

Gales mentioned another handy feature of this recipe book. The divider pages list an index for all of the recipes in a particular section, so you don't have to go to the back of the book.

They collected the recipes in November last year, but didn't review them until after the first of the year. By mid-March it was to the printer. In mid-July, the Bode women picked up 1,100 books. By Sept. 15 they had sold over 1,000 books and recently re-ordered another 500.

Money raised through the sale of the book is used for a variety of parish projects and needs as well as support of the Catholic schools in the Bishop Garrigan School System. The group also has made contributions to the Grotto the Redemption in West Bend.

If you are interested in this cookbook, contact Norma Reding 1029 Hwy. 169, Bode, IA 50519 or (515) 379-2169; Helen Gales 1039 Hwy. 169, Bode, IA 50519 or (515) 379-1320 or Rita Sue Marso at 709 110th St. Bode, IA 50519 or (515) 379-1425.

Cost is $15, plus $3 for handling.