Conversation starters and second helpings from the hospital ladies aid

Are you ready for Second Helpings (Hospital Ladies Aid Milford-Whitinsville Regional Hospital, Milford Division, undated, but maybe from the 1970s)? 

Mrs. Edward K. Allen, Jr., thinks you may be if you try the Cheese Fluff.

The casserole recipe itself isn't that unusual. I see a lot of similar recipes (often suggested to be kept in the fridge overnight and heated in the morning to serve as breakfast). I just picked this one because I was amused by the way the recipe is written. The instructions are sometimes rather opaque. (What does "One of the quick sprays makes a fine brown bottom crust and is easier" mean? Quick spray of what? How does it make a crust? Easier than what? I'm assuming this is supposed to suggest that using nonstick spray before adding the ingredients to the baking dish will improve browning and ease cleanup, but there are clearer ways to say so.) Slicing a pound of cheese "smoothly over bread" also seems a bit odd, but I assume it just means that the cheese should be distributed as evenly as possible. In any case, deciphering the instructions will be worthwhile, as this recipe that "is supposed to serve six" has been "gobble[d] up" by just three. I love the way the sliver of narrative sneaks into the conclusion.

I was also fascinated (appropriately enough) by "Soup Fascinating Flavor."

I don't know a lot about the Milford-Whitinsville area, but apparently it's the type of place where you can really start conversations by dumping a couple cans of  soup together with a pint of clam juice and maybe heating it, though Mrs. F. W. Clarridge doesn't specify.

Or if you don't feel like canned soup and clam juice, you can always start conversations by telling your guests you'll make Woodstock for them. Then as they're waiting around for a citrussy cocktail... 

...you can bring out a pot full of mushroom soup mixed with Velveeta, hard boiled eggs, green pepper, and pimiento. (And now you know why I guessed the 1970s for this book, as the little yellow bird from Peanuts that I assume this recipe was named after wasn't officially given a name until 1970, at least if Wikipedia is to be believed.)

While this collection of community recipes isn't the most extensive, I have to admit that it has a fascinating flavor. I'm glad I picked it up.