Recipe swap

BY JENNIFER J. HEWETT

Back in the 1970s, a Sunday school class at Royston Baptist Church organized its first “recipe swap” where members gathered for fellowship and food, sharing the recipes they had prepared that day.

This initial event turned into an annual event, providing plenty of fun memories and a delicious variety of dishes. In 1977, members compiled the recipes into a cookbook called “The Recipe Swap,” in honor of their annual get-together.

Cookbook sales helped raise funds to build the original church playground. “After the cookbooks were published, a class member’s 7-year-old son died in a tragic family accident,” says Ron Rolison with the children’s ministry team. The newly built playground was dedicated to the memory of Robert Rice, the child lost in the tragedy.

In 2004, members gathered to revise “The Recipe Swap,” adding many new recipes to the collection. Proceeds from the revised cookbook again will benefit the youngsters at Royston Baptist, going toward much-needed playground improvements.

Filled with more than 900 recipes, “The Recipe Swap” covers party snacks, breads, salads, meats, vegetables, sweets, children’s favorites, foreign dishes, canning and preserving, and “quickies.” From staples like one-dish casseroles to family-favorite, mouthwatering sweets, this collection of recipes is sure to please.

Featured this month is Peanutty Chicken Casserole. Click on the recipes link above for the featured recipe.

Copies of “The Recipe Swap” are available for $15 plus $2.50 postage and handling per book. Send check or money order: Royston Baptist Church, Attn: The Recipe Swap, 767 Church St., Royston, GA 30662. For more information, call (706) 245-9701.