RECIPE SWAP COOKBOOK WILL DEBUT AT COOKING SCHOOL

The Southeast Missourian has taken more than 15 months of the wildly-popular Recipe Swap column and published it in a spiral-bound cookbook.

The book, which features nearly 630 recipes of area cooks, will make its debut at the Southern Living Cooking School April 27.

About 2,000 copies will be available. But with 6,000 attendees expected, the books could sell out.

Priced at just $5 a piece, McClanahan feels the cookbook "is a wonderful bargain that will sell quickly."

As a bonus, the book includes the winners and finalists from all five of the Southeast Missourian's cooking contests over the last five years. These include Devilish Dessert, Meatloaf, Pie in the Sky Bakeoff, Colossal Cookie and the Chili Cookoff.

"I've talked to a number of people who are really excited about the cookbook," said McClanahan. "I also think the cooking contest winners is a great bonus."

The column, published each Wednesday, features recipes submitted by area cooks. If individuals are looking for a certain recipe, area residents are quick to respond.

"Of course I'll have to have one for each of my children because it's like their journal," she said. McClahanan keeps busy as administrator of the Cape Senior Center, columnist, wife and mother. Her personal cookbook collection numbers more than 2,000.

McClanahan will be at both cooking shows handing out samples of Oyster Cracker Snack Mix, which recently was published in her column. She'll also be autographing as many cookbooks as possible.