Book excerpt: If you're a food lover with a secret file of best-loved recipes and you like real food from real kitchens, it's time to meet Karyl Bannister, the creator of America's favorite home-cooking newsletter, COOK & TELL, and her far-flung subscribers. With a no-nonsense approach, Bannister has chosen her personal favorites and those of her readers. From the elegant to the just plain delicious, COOK & TELL contains recipes for dining duos, fast family suppers, old-fashioned Sunday dinners, holiday celebrations, and more. Filled with folksy anecdotes from Bannister and her COOK & TELL contingent, the book is like an agreeable chat and recipe swap with an old friend.