If your favorite family dishes are getting predictable or if you are looking for a few new ideas to call your own this holiday season, this selection of San Diego County area community cookbooks may be just the recipe. Each is stuffed with tried-and-true favorites loved by good local cooks and their families.

All the proceeds from their sales go to good causes, and they make great gifts, too. So tuck in and enjoy these hometown goodies. There's something for everyone.

San Dieguito Woman's Club's North Coast Recipes: The women at the San Dieguito Woman's Club believe that good food is truly a gift, so they have brought together their favorite recipes. The club has endowed a scholarship at MiraCosta College, and members tutor readers at local elementary schools as well as support the Make-A-Wish Foundation's annual Easter egg hunt and provide scholarships for an annual high school leadership conference.

"We talked about doing a cookbook for some time, but this is the first year we did it," said President Carol Mone. "One thing about these recipes, you know they have been tried and enjoyed."

Besides members donating family recipes, some local restaurant owners like Mama Lulu's Pizza and Pasta and Rico's Taco Shop have given recipes, too. Proceeds go to Friends of Cardiff, Encinitas, Del Mar and Solana Beach libraries, Meals-On-Wheels and San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy. The San Dieguito Woman's Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month September through June.

The cookbook is $10 (plus $2 for mailing). Call Mone at (760) 753-4869.

Mrs. Harper's Fifth Grade 2007 Our Heritage Cookbook: This year, Mrs. Harper's fifth-grade class in Escondido decided to put together a book of their favorite recipes in a spiral-bound cookbook to raise money for their class field trip last spring. The sale was prompted by Heritage Charter School parent Lori Cain, who wanted to make a recipe book for her daughter's birthday. Once she started soliciting recipes, the project grew from there. The children's favorite recipes are gathered with a photo of the student (many dressed in aprons and armed with whisks), and an art competition was held to choose the front cover. At least two different covers were produced, and the students all signed the back cover. Some copies are still available for $10. Call Lori Cain at (760) 580-6370 or room mother Lisa Simpson at (760) 807-4853.

Celebrate! Recipes for All Occasions Collected by the Catholic Community: Cookbook organizer and board member Lily Loh said this fundraiser for St. James Catholic Church in Solana Beach is perfect for the holidays. It has 643 recipes organized by 12 holidays, and the recipes employ a wide range of cooking skills, from easy to professional recipes. Recipes from a number of the community's well-respected chefs, such as Dee Biller, Carole Bloom, Phillis Carey and Kitty Morse, are featured.

"Everybody says they don't need another cookbook," said Loh, "but this is so easy. You just have to open the chapter for the holiday and everything is there. I am a retired chef and this book has gotten me excited about cooking again. Just look at the cakes, cookies and desserts for Christmas -- they are wonderful."

Early birds get special prices, said Loh, with one book selling for $20, three for $55 or five for $100 (plus a free cookbook). Cookbooks are available in the church office at 625 S. Nardo Ave., Solana Beach, or by mail with a check payable to St. James Church. Or call Loh at (858) 481-6911.

Soup's On: The Cookbook You Can't Live Without from the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 7041: This year, Vista resident Betty Rowell was the cookbook chairman for the Women's Auxiliary Post 7041 in Vista. With the help of Sandy Schuck, who has since passed away, the group has put out a professional-looking cookbook with tried-and-true recipes, Roswell said. "Some of the recipes were especially made up for the VFW like the hamburger soup and my chili recipe that I made for one of our chili contests," she said. And there are also more health-conscious recipes, such as meatloaf made with ground turkey and a diabetic jelly.

"It was fun getting everyone involved for this cookbook," Rowell said. "There are a lot of people who can't get out to sell these or even get on the telephone because they are physically not able, but everyone can look up a recipe and get it in the cookbook." Rowell said proceeds will go to the Veterans Affairs Hospital in La Jolla and the book is dedicated to the efforts of our veterans who "have been in our minds and hearts since the recent terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001."

The cookbook is for sale for $10 at Sunday morning breakfasts (starting at 8:30 a.m.) at the VFW Post 7041, 1717 E. Vista Way, Suite 117 or call (760) 724-0414.

Culinary Creations From Our Herb Gardens and Other Favorites from the San Diego County Herb Society: Many hours were required of the San Diego County Herb Society's cookbook committee to put together this 35th anniversary recipe collection, a professional-looking three-ring binder book with padded cover and subject tabs decorated with art of herbs. It even contains a plastic cookbook stand to prop up the book as you cook. "It was a lot of hard work," said co-editor Jacque Bates. "We got them out just in time for the holidays last year, and we still have plenty for sale this year."

Bates said that what makes collections like this so special is that the recipes are family favorites and the proceeds go to a good cause. "The profits go to the Herb Society, and then we have several charities and organizations we donate to, like the zoo and the Wild Animal Park, which put in special herbs and plants."

Most of the book's 400-plus recipes call for fresh or dried herbs. "There are some that are just family favorites," she said, "and others that come from professional chefs like Bernard Guillas and Ron Oliver of the Marine Room in La Jolla, who come each year and teach a cooking class to the society members."

Books are $15 plus mailing costs. Order by calling Bates at (760) 743-5847 or (760) 803-0388.

Feeding the Flock: A Collection of Recipes by Escondido's Community Lutheran Church: Produced by Morris Press Cookbooks, this collection includes a church history and a table prayer. It also features more than 500 favorite recipes that must be great, because "who is going to put their name on a recipe that is no good?" said Donna Hinke, ministries coordinator. "We have a lot of fellowship activities at the church and a lot of good cooks, and now when one of us brings a dish and somebody wants the recipe, we just say, 'It's in the cookbook.'"

Much credit for the book should go to Barbara Kennedy, said Hinke, who did a tremendous amount of work, proofreading each recipe and "calling people if they didn't put in an amount" or something was unclear.

The book is available for $10 at the church office, 3575 E. Valley Parkway, and soon you can order from the church Web site, www.clcesc.org. Proceeds will benefit the building fund for a new church.

"We had people that kept coming up and saying we should do a cookbook, and they are a lot of fun to do," said Hinke. "We tried to do it six years ago and we had five recipes, and this time we have 500 -- so I guess this was the right time."

Angel Food Cookbook by the members and friends of Life Works Spiritual Center in Carlsbad: "Two women exchanging gluten-free recipes inspired the Angel Food Cookbook," wrote Peggy Canning, committee member for the Angel Food Cookbook, adding that a simple exchange quickly expanded to a 55-page cookbook providing special help for gluten- and sugar-sensitive people.

From healthy Gazpacho Soup to Chocolate Pudding Pie, the cookbook's project members said, the recipes in the brightly colored, spiral-bound cookbook fill a special niche. Or as one buyer told them, "I am so thankful to have these gluten-free recipes."

Published in August, the cookbook will contribute to the support of the Life Works Spiritual Center, an alternative to traditional churches, which offers a Sunday celebration, classes and spiritual counseling. "The project itself has encouraged attendees of this year-old group to work together, pool their talents, and expand friendships, all valuable assets to any group," said Canning. "And we helped increase sales among members by bringing samples of the recipes to Sunday services, which proved a very popular activity."

The book is available for $10 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine St., where Life Works holds its services. It is also sold in decorative baskets that also contain useful kitchen gadgets, ready as gifts, for $25.

Wine Appetit! Volume III: A Collection of Recipes by Temecula Valley Wine Society: The Temecula Valley Wine Society is understandably proud of its latest cookbook, said Betty Ryan, the proceeds of which will fund scholarships to students who are interested in studying enology, viticulture or wine marketing. "This past year, we awarded four $3,000 scholarships," said Ryan, "one each to Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, UC Davis, UC Riverside and Fresno State."

While not all of the recipes require wine as an ingredient, they can all be enjoyed with wine, said Ryan. That is, all except the recipes for pet treats, which include interesting choices such as Feline Fish Balls, Peanut Butter Bones and Stinky Cheese Turkey Balls.

This is the book's third edition, with copies of Volume I and II still available for the holidays. "They make a perfect gift," added Ryan. "We will be glad to make up sets of the three volumes, too. Just give us a call, for one or for all."

The cookbook is available at the gift shops of all 30 local wineries featured, for varying amounts starting at $20. Call (951) 302-7803.

Rose Haven Recipes: Cooking and Crafting With the Roses We Love by the Temecula Valley Rose Society: Formed in May 1990, the Temecula Valley Rose Society started with about a dozen people who dreamed of filling Temecula's open fields with roses. Nowadays, the society still keeps 3.5 acres as a community garden at Jediah Smith Road and Cabrillo Avenue, where it also hosts events.

The society's cookbook, with recipes using rose hips, petals, small buds or rose water, were all tested by the members, including Persian Baklava with rose water syrup and Rosy Guacamole Dip with pesticide-free yellow rose petals for a garnish. There's even Rose Petal Wine, with this quote by Deane Ross -- "The rose scent is there for you to enjoy, to inhale slowly and deeply, to almost drink in. Pick a fragrant rose just to have it near you."

Near the end of the 181-page book are recipes for lotions and potions, including a Rose Spice Soap Ball, Luxurious Body Scrub and Aphrodisiac Massage Oil.

The book is $15 by mail. Send a check made payable to the Temecula Valley Rose Society plus $5 for shipping to: Temecula Valley Rose Society, Rose Haven Recipes, P.O. Box 890367, Temecula, CA 92589-0367.

The California Civitan District's Favorite Recipes: Who are Civitans, you may ask? They are community members whose focus is helping people with developmental disabilities. The California District has put together a cookbook to raise funds for the Civitan International Research Center, a research and treatment facility for developmental disabilities.

The elegant hardbound volume features recipes from Civitans all over the state, and many from the local Oceanside and San Marcos groups. Kate Fuentes Kaske, who organized the book, said that this is the first time the Civitans have done one in California. "It came out two years ago, and we still have 100 or 150 left," said Kaske. "We started with 800 and we have done well with them, selling a lot of them at conventions and so forth."

For your copy, mail a check for $10 to Kate Kaske at 6938 Sandpiper Place, Carlsbad, CA 92009 for a copy, or call her at (760) 931-2644. Kaske said she also has a number of gift baskets put together by Paula Dean, who is a spokeswoman for the organization, with a collection of her spices, recipes and packaged biscuit mix, all for $25.

Pros in the Kitchen by an Auxiliary of the Assistance League of Temecula: Pros Auxiliary of the Assistance League of Temecula Valley is a nonprofit organization for working women dedicated to giving back to the community through volunteer work at the CastAways thrift shop. They also have other fundraising events and activities, one of which is the production of their beautifully bound three-ring binder cookbook called "Pros in the Kitchen."

The 2005-'06 annual fundraiser was created by members who submitted 500 of their favorite recipes. Jodi Mattox designed the colorful cover.

The price for the book is $15 and with shipping and tax, comes to a total of $25, said Denise Cook, who is the Pros secretary. Order by e-mailing to altemecula@yahoo.com or by clicking "contact us" on their Web site at http://temeculavalley.assistanceleague.org.

Proceeds benefit Alternatives to Domestic Violence, an organization that provides help to local women and children who suffer from domestic abuse.

Patriotic Provisions Collected by the Intermountain Republican Women: "As with most community cookbooks, ours was conceived first as a fundraiser and second, as a quick way to share our recipes without having to make copies for members and friends," said Ramona resident Rachel Meyer, president of the Intermountain Republican Women.

"It has some recipes that are from notable places, like the Chichi recipe -- it's sort of a mai tai with coconut syrup -- and we say it is from a notable Hawaiian hotel," Meyer said. "A lot of the recipes are just good home cooking, and some are so easy and fast."

Great for a stocking stuffer or a hostess gift, Meyer said, the book has recipes donated from members in Julian, Santa Ysabel and Ramona. The book is also a thoughtful purchase for those who may have lost their recipe files in the recent fires, she added.

Contact Meyer at (760) 788-8902, e-mail to rachel.meyer1@cox.net or send a check for $10 to her at 15744 Zeigler Court, Ramona, CA 92065. Profits will assist with the registration fees of 13 members who attended the Biennial Convention of the National Federation of Republican Women last September in Palm Springs.

Good Tastes: A Collection of Recipes From the Members of the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club: The project to print and sell this cookbook was headed by the women golfers at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club. Proceeds go to the Solana Beach Foundation for Learning. Printed by Morris Press Cookbooks, the book features about 200 recipes donated from Country Club members and was released last year.

Betty Sutton at the club said the books make popular holiday gifts and will be for sale to club members at their annual holiday open house (members only) on Dec. 9. To buy a cookbook before then for $15, call (858) 755-6768. But do so soon because only one box of books remains.

Here are some sample recipes from the community cookbooks:

"This is one of my signature recipes," writes Ann Deakers in "Celebrate! Recipes for All Occasions." "I call it 'share the recipe' because I've never taken it anywhere without someone asking for the recipe. We always have it on Christmas morning."

Share the Recipe Coffee Cake

1 package yellow cake mix

1 package instant vanilla pudding

3/4 cup oil

3/4 cup water

1 teaspoon melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Topping:

3 tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 cup powdered sugar

Beat together yellow cake mix, instant vanilla pudding, oil, water, 1 teaspoon melted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add 4 eggs, one at a time. Beat 6 to 8 minutes. Pour into greased and floured 9-inch-by-13-inch pan. Then swirl in sugar, cinnamon and walnuts (optional). Really swirl these through the cake until you can't see it. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

For topping: Mix together milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1 tablespoon melted butter and powdered sugar. Brush on top of warm cake.

-- From "Celebrate! Recipes for All Occasions"

"This recipe is a good way to use up left-over veggies, corn, green beans, etc.," writes Betty Rowell in "Soup's On: The Cookbook You Can't Live Without":

Hamburger Soup by Betty Rowell

1 pound ground beef, lean

1 medium onion, diced

3 to 4 carrots, diced

2 medium potatoes, diced

3 stalks of celery, sliced

1/2 head cabbage, diced

1 can diced tomatoes

2 quarts water with bouillon, beef

1 to 2 bay leaves

Salt and pepper

1 teaspoon minced or dry garlic

Saute beef and onion together in large kettle, until meat is done and onion is limp. Add water with beef bouillon on moderate heat. Clean, peel and dice potatoes, carrots, celery and cabbage. Add can of tomatoes and spices. Cook over medium heat for about a half an hour or until vegetables are done. Serves 8 to 10.

-- "Soup's On: The Cookbook You Can't Live Without"

- Contact staff writer Ruth Marvin Webster at (760) 740-3527 or rwebster@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.