When you pull out your holiday recipes this month, flip through them. If one is an original -- not just copied from a cookbook and a little extra seasoning added -- you may win a $250 Fred Meyer gift card.

Wouldn't that help turn around those post holiday blues?

The grocery store chain and Northwest Dairy Farmers are holding a Butter-up the Holidays recipe contest through Dec. 31. All you need to do is submit your recipe and be sure it features real butter.

Categories are appetizers, entrees and desserts. You can enter as often as you would like, but each entry must be a separate recipe.

Recipes will be judged on taste, creativity and appearance.

A single winner from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska will receive a $100 gift card. Three runners-up in each state will be awarded a $50 gift card. A single recipe from all four states will be selected for the $250 gift card.

To enter, go to www.butteruptheholidays.com.

Kitchen help

We can all use a hand in the kitchen from time to time. Now there's a place where you can browse hundreds of cooking tips and techniques on 27 topics.

Go to http://cooking.tips.net to find out:

-- How to mix great party drinks, with or without alcohol.
-- Cut the salt in soups and how to make your own stock.
-- Make your own trail mix.
-- Make the most of your kitchen space.

New read

The book: Piece of Cake, One-Bowl, No-Fuss, From-Scratch Cakes by Camilla V. Sauisbury.

Cost: $30

Best for: The author hopes this book inspires home bakers everywhere to bake an abundance of delectable cakes in almost no time (with almost no cleanup).

She even includes baking tips, a list of key ingredients and what they do, and what equipment to have in supply to help you get the best baking results, no matter which recipe you choose. As a bonus, she offers recipes for homemade cake mixes, including vegan and gluten-free options.

*Loretto J. Hulse: 582-1513; lhulse@tricityherald.com.