The Unofficial Simpsons Cookbook - From Krusty Burgers to Marge's Pretzels, Famous Recipes from Your Favorite Cartoon Family by Laurel Randolph
Product Details
Web ID: 140613044 years ago
from mccaly28
Standard Recipe Book
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a surprisingly standard recipe book. There aren't a lot of pictures, and the pictures there are are of real life food, not cartoon-y Simpsons food. There are donuts, waffles, chili, spaghetti, and other pretty standard foods. The book lists what episode each food is from, but there's not much Simpson-y touches beyond that. It's an interesting idea that may appeal to die hard fans of the series.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
4 years ago
from Finland
Dreaming of food cartoon style read, make, repeat!
After moving to Finland with my then Darlin Boyfriend (and future Darlin Husband), part of my then compulsory role as a stepmother was watching The Simpsons (1989-) cartoons every weekend. This meant 5 episodes in a row and was basically a non-stop repeat of all of the weekday episodes. This Simpsons binge always included the one watched after Friday’s tidy up time (again). This gave me plenty of opportunities to hear those stepdudes squeals of delight as they enviously watched the Simpson’s family patriarch, Homer in the Land of Chocolate (Season 3, Episode 11) on repeat and on a loop for years. After reading the title and seeing the cover photographs of this The Simpson’s themed cookbook, The Unofficial Simpsons Cookbook From Krusty Burgers to Marge’s Pretzels, Famous Recipes from Your Favorite Cartoon Family by Laurel Randolph, I really couldn’t resist it. The book with a bright and colourful cartoon inspired cover of some yummy looking treats, including the imaginatively named I Love You Breakfast and Circus Tent Mashed Potatoes. The book is short but sweet, with seventy scrummy sounding recipes that are classified in meals; “from breakfast to dessert with everything in between.” There is also a chapter with drink recipes – such as those famous Flaming Moes – and include some adult-friendly ones (for that budding cocktail maker in your life) so you have everything you need for a Simpsons themed all-day party which can be continued after the kids go to bed. Randolph also easily earns brownie points from this Scottish stepmum as she also includes the always essential US / Metric chart and index. The book was an unofficial cookbook, but this book was officially – and humorously – endorsed by The Simpsons former showrunner and one-time writer, Bill Oakley. Oakley writes the book’s fun foreword where he enthusiastically tells how foods of all sorts were an important part of the creation of this cartoon show. This was wholeheartedly believed after he divulged that he lost sixty-five pounds after leaving the show. He delightfully tells that in the contents of the book, many of the fictional foods in the show are now “ours for the tasting”. He adds that Randolph has improved many of the recipes changing the recipes for the better. His praise for this book summed up as he adds that the book has a; “staggering array of Simpsons foods you have dreamed of trying if you a complete weirdo”. A short introduction from Randolph follows – in the same comic vein – and then it’s onto the food, glorious, food… The recipes are divided into six chapters, and as a stepmother to two Finglish kids, I was ecstatic to see the snacks chapter. This knowing from my kindergarten work experiences that this is an all-important part of the nutritional daily needs of these (and other) Finnish kids. As they have two snacks while at school, and these were added to the three courses a day that I was used to in Scotland. These recipes are all creatively named in a manner that will appeal to your inner kid such as Homer’s Patented Space Age Out of this World Moon Waffles. There is a wide range variety of delicious sounding recipes on offer. There’s a fabulous mix, with those with a sweet or savoury tooth – such as Forbidden Doughnuts and Nachos Flanders Style respectively – and to appeal to the vegetarian – eg Paul and Linda McCartney’s Lentil Soup – or meat-eater. There’s also some international dishes – eg Skinner’s Vietnamese Stew – and those traditional foods – ie hotdogs and (Krusty) burgers – that every kid (or kid at heart) enjoys. There are some fabulous quirky, mouthwatering photographs of the finished products with quirky colourful cartoon themed backgrounds accompanying many of the recipes throughout the book. Each recipe comes with an appealing title and a fun Simpson themed introduction. So in theory, you could do a binge with both simultaneously. The Simpsons season and episode that this food “stars” in are also named. All these titles are given in the same themed bold primary colours throughout making this book easy to follow by all ages. There are also some nice wee recipe references to those much loved Simpsons characters including Krusty the Clown, Lisa and Homer. The method has clear instructions, which are described in minute detail. These instructions could be easily followed by a child or your cooking or baking phobic partner (hint there’s a birthday cake recipe named Special Cake for Homer to Ruin). Randolph also adds the amount of food and servings each recipe will make. With two always ravenous stepsons, these – at times Homer-sized – ingredient amounts definitely won’t need altering. Examples include recipes including those with ingredients for 15 doughnuts and 12 muffins, and I know of one big kid who might just see this as a challenge. Randolph also adds some handy cooking tips and how these recipes can be changed. Finally, all in all, it’s a book that I know instinctively is the definitive book for my two stepdudes – and at least two of their cousins – and their dad to learn about the joys of baking and cooking. I am looking forward to checking out more than a few of these recipes, with my family starting with that yummy looking birthday cake. And now thanks to this book, as that Simpson’s patriarch, Homer said… “As God as my witness, I’ll always be hungry again!”
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
4 years ago
from Lowell, MA
Fun Cookbook for Simpsons Fans!
A fun cookbook for fans of The Simpsons. A variety of recipes inspired by dozens of episodes are included with brief descriptions and episode information. The recipes are fun, but I wish there were more pictures of the food (real or cartoon). Thank you Adams Media and NetGalley for providing this ARC.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
4 years ago
from Atlanta
Love it
Love it
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
4 years ago
Fun For The Simpson Fan Or Cookbook Collector
I feel this book is really targeted to two groups. The Simpson fan and The Cookbook collector. I would definitely say that this book is perfect gift idea for a true Simpsons fan. It would be a unique gift that would add something a bit different to their collection. As for the cookbook collector, I also think it is a solid choice. This book offers a very good variety of recipes that can cover many occasions and for varying skill levels. There are some nice photos included (although not for every recipe) and some helpful tips to. Is this a cookbook for the serious cook? No, but it is fun and has quite a bit to offer to fans, families and the adventurous cook. I thought the Flanders's Planters Punch was delish (potent though) and the Forbidden Doughnuts a tasty treat that everyone really enjoyed. I am independently posting an impartial review.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com