Half a cup of spaghetti sauce may pack 525 milligrams of sodium - and that amount barely coats a helping of pasta.

In a large saucepan, combine 1 cup white sugar, 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar, 2 cups water, 1 cup shortening, 4 cups seedless raisins, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cloves, and 2 tsp salt.

Cans or cups of fruit packed in their own juice.

For the topping: 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 cups half-and-half 3 tablespoons margarine or butter 1 teaspoon vanilla 8 to 10 pecan halves Nutmeg.

Serve with 1 1/2 ounces soft goat cheese, 1 cup loosely packed fresh baby arugula or other leafy greens, 4 thin slices zucchini, and a squirt of fresh lemon juice.

DRIED MUSHROOM PUREE Time: 20 minutes 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms (about 1/2 cup loosely packed) Salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Aunt Bonnie's Almond Lace Cookies Total time: 45 minutes 1/3 cup light corn syrup 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt.

Banana Filling 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 vanilla bean, split 6 ripe bananas, sliced 1/8 inch thick 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar 1 cup heavy cream 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 cup sour cream.

"We got the cups all packed."

One cup can pack 300 to 400 calories, depending on the brand.