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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
This book was even weirder than "Yokohama Threeway."
Some of the food in this book looks good, but a lot of it doesn't. The author is kind of offensive and randomly talks about sex in kind of a creepy dude way. But I really liked it and got weirdly obsessed with it and now I want to watch the netflix documentary about him and make fake crepes by dredging tortillas in cream. And make mac and cheese pancakes with syrup.
Also, I felt really validated while reading this when he explained how to do something and it was the way I already do it, i.e., making garlic bread and splitting boneless chicken breasts horizontally.
Some of the food in this book looks good, but a lot of it doesn't. The author is kind of offensive and randomly talks about sex in kind of a creepy dude way. But I really liked it and got weirdly obsessed with it and now I want to watch the netflix documentary about him and make fake crepes by dredging tortillas in cream. And make mac and cheese pancakes with syrup.
Also, I felt really validated while reading this when he explained how to do something and it was the way I already do it, i.e., making garlic bread and splitting boneless chicken breasts horizontally.
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
I love the cover ('Do not pull'), the photos, the crazy recipes, the personal rants and philosophy embedded in the writing of each one, Shopsin's ability to deconstruct the essence of well-known but tediously prepared dishes (tortillas as crepes, anyone?). I'm not sure how often I would cook from this book even if I did own it, because a lot of the food is cooked on a griddle (usually found in a restaurant) and Shopsin admits that he is able to work superfast because he has dozens of ziplock bags of prepared stuff he throws into whatever he is making, so his dishes are really dishes within dishes within dishes.
I read the Trillin article on Shopsin's back in 2002, so I bought this as soon as I knew it existed. And it was pretty much what I expected, in a good way. There's the attitude, of course. And this seemed like a particularly good book for non-cooks -- it's all about throwing really random stuff together based on what's handy. Including leftovers. Nothing intimidating. Except for the burgers, I guess. I avoid cooking techniques that involve flame. Not sure chili and marinara cross as many boundaries as he thinks, but it's worth trying.
This is more than a cookbook, it actually is one cantankerous guy's philosophy about cooking and food based on his experience running a diner in NYC. And while I liked his philosophy about how a diner makes money (it's the drinks & the mayo), I loved his "stay small" take on things. This book also made me want to eat an egg salad sandwich, so I made one and it was delicious (I had never eaten one before). Props to Kenny!
This book was amazing. It is inspirational to read about someone who does something for the love of doing it and who tolerates absolutely no nonsense while he's doing it. The "rules" may be perceived as arbitrary and quirky, but really they aligned perfectly with his worldview: his restaurant was meant to connect people as much as it was about serving food.
I also learned cooking things from this book. I now make pancakes that are to die for. I am no longer afraid of making soup. I don't feel guilty for keeping things simple in the kitchen.
Recommended for people who like memoirs, people who like cookbooks, people who like quirky characters.
I also learned cooking things from this book. I now make pancakes that are to die for. I am no longer afraid of making soup. I don't feel guilty for keeping things simple in the kitchen.
Recommended for people who like memoirs, people who like cookbooks, people who like quirky characters.
Kenny Shopsin makes the simple case for doing work well, surrounded by people you love. He doesn't get anywhere - he throws people out of his restaurant who piss him off and avoids success as much as possible - but his joy in small things like mastering the perfect pancake is profound. A funny and ultimately moving book with recipes and humor.
Kenny Shospin’s restaurant is one that I’m sure many New Yorkers are familiar with. With his notorious attitude towards media, health inspectors, and even potential clientele, Shopsin is likened to the Seinfeld Soup Nazi. Some even believe the infamous character may be based on him, but we’re likely never to know for sure. In Eat Me, Shopsin abandons his “no media” rule and shares over 100 of his delectable creations with the public. This is the perfect cookbook for foodies like myself who are likely never to be able to experience these items first hand. From a simple egg salad to Shopsins’ famous Yin-Yang Rice Bowls – meant to be paired with soup – this collection of inventive dishes is sure to tantalize your taste buds. In addition to the recipes, the book also features Shopsin’s own anecdotes about everything from his family and loyal customers to his views on pancakes and salads. The book also features the once 6-page menu, great for help in creating your own Shopsin’s dinner at home.
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't really think of it as a cookbook, more like a cooking philosophy book. I really liked reading about his approach to cooking.
