Media Bites

A preview of food shows, cookbooks, food books and Web sites to consider in the month ahead

As a gift for Mom this year, consider one of these cookbooks:

• The women of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Cayce have put together a collection of recipes in their “Family and Friends” cookbook. Proceeds go toward the church building fund. Cost, $12. The book includes recipes for great old-fashioned favorites such as red velvet cake as well as new ideas such as fresh collard dip. Call (803) 796-6776 to order a copy.

• For Trisha Yearwood fans, here’s another collection of homegrown recipes, “Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen: Recipes from My Family to Yours” ($29.95, Crown Publishing). The book includes pretty photographs of food as well as stories about the recipes’ origins or how Yearwood serves the dish today.

• Here’s a very appetizing book, “Bon Appetit, Y’all” by classically trained cook Virginia Willis who also is a self-proclaimed Southern belle (10 Speed Press, $32.50). Recipes have Southern roots but are prepared with a classic flourish. Examples include vidalia onion quiche, Georgia peach souffles, Nathalie’s oyster casserole and Coca-Cola-glazed wings. There are beautiful photographs as well as lessons on cooking techniques.

• “Blue Eggs and Yellow Tomatoes” by Jeanne Kelley will make the gourmet Mom smile (Running Press, $35). The book has a lush design and a collection of recipes from Bon Appetit contributor Kelley, whose work focuses on urban sustainability and backyard gardens. Recipes include chilled cucumber soup, eggplant and herb salad with sumac dressing, egg salad tartine, tamarind pork ribs and lemon risotto.

• Be sure to check out the S.C. Department of Agriculture’s new Web site, agriculture.sc.gov. You can find out which fruits and vegetables are in season, where to buy them and how to become a part of the restaurant program that supports putting South Carolina products on the menu of the state’s restaurants.

• Also, if you’re coming up dry on recipe ideas, check out these Web sites: razzledazzlerecipes.com, carolinagoldricefoundation.org, recipe-idea.com and tabasco.com.

Compiled by Allison Askins. Reach Askins at (803) 771-8614.