Bad Break-Up? Kill 'em With Kindness. Bake The Hate Out!
This isn't your average cookbook/dessert book. I'm not even talking about the clever, punny titles for each dessert either. I mean, the recipes themselves have me raising an eyebrow. Do those flavor combinations really work? It seems odd, but I'm no expert when it comes to inventing new recipes. All I know is I've been surprised in the past by flavor combos, like spicy jelly and cream cheese. Ok, that might not be as daring as what I've found in this book. What do I mean? Flamin' hot Cheeto ganache. Peanut-Corn Chip candy (Fritos and Reese's Pieces candy). Cap'n Crunch Monster Cookies (M&Ms, Cornmeal, Nacho Cheese Doritos, Cap'n Crunch cereal). Would the average chef even consider these ingredients together? I think that's what makes this author, and jack-of-all-trades, unique. I'm curious how she ended up so daring with these flavors and ingredients. Was she always like that, even as a child, mixing Skittles, M&Ms and Reese's Pieces? Or was it a bad break-up that knocked her out of her comfort zone and into new areas to experiment? She's like Semi-Homemade's Sandra Lee gone wild. :)
Either way, anyone that enjoys making desserts, but is bored with the same old same old, this book would definitely be for them. Not only are the recipes different from what I've typically encountered, the little bits of information are helpful for making it, not to mention the funny quips related to Exs, or I think for anyone that has broken our heart and one time or another (romanticly or otherwise). Cooking can be like gardening: a way to gain peace, to beat out and bake away the frustration. Angry with someone that took advantage of you? Beat it out in the bread as you knead it, 'cause you don't knead, uh, I mean need them.
Just a word of warning, this book may not be for everyone. There's some mild language in it and the titles might send some into a tailspin. You're a piece of Sheet Cake or Go Fudge Yourself. Then again, there are other fun titles like I Couldn't Carrot All Cake, I'm Not Fondue You, and I Hate You A Latte. There are many more, but I don't want to spoil it. So there's the word of warning. Some might not care for a few of the titles, but really this is supposed to be a fun book that puts the spin on bad breakups as well as recipes. Turning them both on their head.
What I really liked was the introduction from the author. In her words,
"Kindness is rare, folks. It's radical. Like baking, kindness takes time, energy, and effort, and those efforts are wholeheartedly returned. Trust me, they are. Somehow, they always are. For me, those returns have been absolute happiness, in all its dippy, dumb, lovely, joyful glory."
Either way, anyone that enjoys making desserts, but is bored with the same old same old, this book would definitely be for them. Not only are the recipes different from what I've typically encountered, the little bits of information are helpful for making it, not to mention the funny quips related to Exs, or I think for anyone that has broken our heart and one time or another (romanticly or otherwise). Cooking can be like gardening: a way to gain peace, to beat out and bake away the frustration. Angry with someone that took advantage of you? Beat it out in the bread as you knead it, 'cause you don't knead, uh, I mean need them.
Just a word of warning, this book may not be for everyone. There's some mild language in it and the titles might send some into a tailspin. You're a piece of Sheet Cake or Go Fudge Yourself. Then again, there are other fun titles like I Couldn't Carrot All Cake, I'm Not Fondue You, and I Hate You A Latte. There are many more, but I don't want to spoil it. So there's the word of warning. Some might not care for a few of the titles, but really this is supposed to be a fun book that puts the spin on bad breakups as well as recipes. Turning them both on their head.
What I really liked was the introduction from the author. In her words,
"Kindness is rare, folks. It's radical. Like baking, kindness takes time, energy, and effort, and those efforts are wholeheartedly returned. Trust me, they are. Somehow, they always are. For me, those returns have been absolute happiness, in all its dippy, dumb, lovely, joyful glory."