"Cooking with Flowers" (Quirk Publishing) by Miche Bacher

A beautiful new 192-page hardcover book called "Cooking with Flowers" (Quirk Publishing) by Miche Bacher has dozens of easy-to-follow recipes and striking photography. It is $24.95 in stores or at quirkbooks.com.

OFFBEAT: Buddy Holly and Julia Child in 2013 Chicago Broadway season

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Actress Karen Janes Woditsch (left) Shown Portraying Julia Child Talking with Friend Simone "Simca" Beck Played by Jeannie Affelder

Julia Child, as played by Karen Janes Woditsch (left) talks with cookbook collaborator Simone "Simca" Beck, played by Jeannie Affelder in Chicago's TimeLine Theatre's 2010 stage world premiere of "To Master the Art."

Eating like a Mouse: Disney cookbook includes kid-friendly recipes for fight against type 1 diabetes

Planning healthy menus for children with dietary restrictions is not as easy as waving a magic wand.

Aurora's Applesauce Muffins

Aurora's Applesauce Muffins are one of the recipes featured in "Dishing It Up Disney Style."

Pooh and Friends

Winnie the Pooh and friends cook up some fun in the kitchen.

Peter Pan Pumpkin Waffles

Each page, and recipe, featured in the 80-page hardcover "Dishing It Up Disney Style" cookbook includes vivid photos of preparation and easy-to-follow steps.

"Dishing It Up Disney Style: A Cookbook for Families with Type 1 Diabetes"

A new cookbook called "Dishing It Up Disney Style" helps parents and children better understand recipes and food choices for a healthy diet.

Maria Reiner Senior Center sells cookbooks for fundraiser

HOBART | The Maria Reiner Senior Center, 705 E. Fourth St., has completed its first cookbook to be sold as a fundraising project.

Maria Reiner Senior Center is selling 570-recipe cookbook

HOBART | The Maria Reiner Senior Center, 705 E. 4th St., has completed its first cookbook as a fundraising project.

100th Anniversary Cookbook still available

LAPORTE | The cookbook commemorating the 100th anniversary of Indiana Extension Homemakers is still available at the La Porte County Purdue Extension Office, 2857 W. St. Rd. 2, Suite A, La Porte. The cost is $10 and they would make great Christmas gifts! Please call 219-324-9407 for addition…

Finding the tastiest choices for food book gifts

It's that time of year again, when retailers deck their halls, radio stations relentlessly jingle and cookbooks go forth and multiply.

'Smitten Kitchen' blogger and author offers perfect recipes, solidarity for home cooks

Deb Perelman, named the top food blogger of 2011 by Saveur magazine and praised by Martha Stewart, doesn’t work out of a swanky, gleaming high-tech kitchen.

Andy Williams with Times Columnist Philip Potempa and his Parents Chester and Peggy in 2005

Singer Andy Williams with Times Columnist Philip Potempa, right, and Phil's parents Chester and Peggy backstage following Williams' December 2005 Christmas concert.

FROM the FARM: Time for 7th Annual Hammond Pie Contest

Reader Marty Wheeler, of Crown Point, called me last week for advice about an event her group is hosting later this fall.

FROM the FARM: Robertsdale reader likes easy 'table cucumber recipe'

Thank you to the many readers who participated in a parade of friendly canines for last Saturday's charity pet event in Robertsdale near Whiting and Hammond.

Form and Function

FROM the FARM: Chip dip perfect for Labor Day barbecues

Today's recipe comes from Heather Stolte, of Valparaiso, one of my students from my Purdue North Central public speaking class. Heather shared an easy and colorful recipe for her step-by-step demonstrative speech. It's ideal for end-of-the-summer Labor Day barbecues.

FROM the FARM: Phyllis Diller's kitchen craft lives on with cookbook connections

Despite her larger-than-life funny persona on stage, comedienne Phyllis Diller was also so much more the moment she stepped out of the performance spotlight.

Comedienne Phyllis Diller and Times Columnist Philip Potempa in 2006

Comedienne Phyllis Diller, in her Brentwood, Calif., home, holds her copy of 'From the Farm,' the 2004 cookbook she helped write with Times columnist Philip Potempa, right.