I have put together a list for a collection of cookbooks which I think should grace every kitchen. There are things people often forget about cooking, which is that it is inherently political, it is important, it is often tied to religious or mythic belief systems and it’s one of the things that makes us human. But most importantly, remember, cooking is a lot like sex: it’s fun; it’s hot; it’s best when done with others, but you can do it on your own; licking your fingers is acceptable; learning new skills will make it better; and if you are not enjoying it you are probably doing something wrong.
Cuisines of the Axis of Evil and Other Irritating States: A Dinner Party Approach to International Relations. By Chris Fair
Chris Fair has dined with soldiers in the Khyber Pass and with prostitutes in Delhi, rummaged for fish in Jaffna, and sipped Taliban tea in Peshawar. “Cuisines of the Axis of Evil” is a sophisticated, fun, and provocative cookbook with easy-to-follow recipes from both America’s traditional enemies in foreign policy–including Iran, Iraq, and North Korea–and friends of the U.S. who are nonetheless irritating by any measure. In addition, each country section includes all the smart, acerbic geopolitical nuggetry you need to talk the talk with the best of them. Recipes include Iranian chicken in a walnut pomegranate stew, Iraqi kibbe, and North Korean spicy cucumber, as well as special teas, mango salads, beverage suggestions, and much more – good reads.
How to Eat Like a Republican: Or, Hold the Mayo, Muffy–I’m Feeling Miracle Whipped Tonight. By Susanne Grayson Townsend
This is part cookbook, part how-to for non-Republicans, part payback (“Thanks, Mom, for all the swell tricks with Lipton Onion Soup Mix”), and part sheer revenge, as in for one horrifying night when the author was invited to dinner by a coven of Democrats under the pretext of eating a decent whole roasted prime tenderloin and was cruelly served a whole roasted baby tuna. Her date, a Republican fish-hater (a Republican redundancy, by the way, see Chapter 3, Fish), memorably reacted by getting dead drunk and passing out at the table with his face in the tuna. This capriciously-organized collection of the kinds of homey recipes Republicans grow up on pays little regard to attribution, since, in the words of the author, “Nobody ever remembers where the recipe originally came from anyway.” – good reads
Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes [Kindle Edition] Regularly updated blog with delicious and cruelty-free recipes from an Indian kitchen in Washington
On a slightly more serious note…what good is any religion if it isn’t at least punny: Holy Cow! features mouthwatering recipes that do not need animals, eggs and dairy to taste great. Also browse dozens of recipes for delicious vegan cakes, breads and other goodies. And a great price too at only $0.99.
Baked!: 35 Marijuana Munchies to Make and Bake. By Chris Stone (really?) and Gordon Lewis
For potheads who’d rather eat their weed than smoke it, this tasty bakin’ bible serves up thirty-five easy-to-make, craving-busting recipes packed with every stoner’s favorite ingredient. Guaranteed to produce cannabilicious results every time, all of the recipes in Baked! have been written (and thoroughly tested) by an established food writer and “herb” specialist.
From classics like Hash Brownies and Alice B. Toklas’s Choc Chunk and Pecan Cookies to bud-boosted versions of foodie faves like Baked! Potatoes and Herbal Quiche, this smokin’ cookbook includes a sweet snack, pipin’ pastry, or blowin’ biscuit for every taste bud. So find your kitchen—because this smorgasbord of gustatory ganja delights will take your recreational activities to a much higher level. – Amazon
Bitchin’ Kitchen Cookbook: Rock Your Kitchen–And Let the Boys Clean Up the Mess. By Nadia Giosia
Nadia G is the creator of a hit, hip, an award winning web and mobile cooking show and the source of the recipes she has gathered together to create “Nadia G’s Bitchin’ Kitchen Cookbook”. Colorfully and provocatively illustrated throughout, Nadia G laces humor with her recipe instructions for ‘kitchen cook friendly’ dishes ranging from such exotic items as Chile raspberry Parfait, to mouth watering fare as a Chicken & Banana Curry, to such personal favorites as her Pot Au Chocolate. There’s even such unexpected and unique dishes as Parsnip Chips with Sour Cream & Green Onion Dip (ideal for party time) and depression fighting fare like her Splitsville Salad with Caramelized Figs. Unique, unusual, and culinary cutting edge, “Nadia G’s Bitchin’ Kitchen Cookbook” is a highly prized and recommended addition to personal cookbook collections. – Amazon
Apocalypse 2012 Cookbook: An End of the World Cooking and Survival Guide. By Darril W Fosty
Welcome to the Apocalypse 2012 Cookbook. What happens when you combine the outlandish dark-humored concepts of Dr. Strangelove with America’s love of cooking? You get the satirical and outrageously funny Apocalypse 2012 Cookbook. Written by the award-winning documentary filmmaker and sports historian, Darril Fosty, the book pokes fun at America’s love for cookbooks, while exploiting the much anticipated doom supposedly predicted by the ancient Mayan Indian calendar. The premise of the book is quite simple. It attempts to answer the question: ‘Now that the world has ended, what’s for dinner?’ Included in this 100-page guide are numerous recipes that can be prepared using basic ingredients and an aggressive hunter-gatherer approach to post-apocalyptic grocery shopping. The recipes include tips on making an Edgar Caycadilla, or preparing a Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Bean Salad for your family and friends. For the reader who can appreciate politically incorrect humor the book will be a welcomed addition to their anti-establishment libraries. – Amazon
OlyEats 