Firefly - The Big Damn Cookbook
D**T
Don't just get it if you're a fan of the series, get it because you enjoy good food.
I have a fair selection of themed cookbooks from this author, and others, and have gotten a feel for what to expect I think. Here's what I think.Quality:Recipe selections offer a nice range, differing in complexity and dietary observations. roughly 70+ recipes for drinks, sauces, and real food. Each tagged clearly if they are suitable for GF, Veg, or Vegan diet restrictions, due to ingredients or substitutions. Hint, there are 40+ Veg friendly recipes spread out across food and drinks. The cover is high gloss with an embossed faux leather title wrap and is filled with wonderful pictures. Both of cooking scenes, food shots, and distinct chapter breaks.Selections:For the most part, the selection of this book of recipes are going to be dictated by theme but, in this case, it works in its favor. The recipes are mostly down-home style eats that fit well with the cowboy/southern esthetic, and a brief bit that counters some big city style with street-level fare that pares well with a beer, and there is a slight peppering of Asian influence on some of the dishes chosen which not only fits the theme but pairs well with some of the more western choices. They are mostly simple things like sweet chili sauce, or soy sauce, for those that would rather skip them. I can honestly say that unlike other themed books there is not a single recipe that I turned my nose up, although I did take a brief pause at one recipe that at first glance is just sliced tomatoes. I am a member that has an abusive relationship when it comes to tomatoes, I'd rather see them beaten to a pulp or whipped into a paste rather than have them as a forefront of my meal. However, it doesn't hurt that they dress it up with seasonings, dressings, and toppings. Like I said before, I actually would try it. Some might have trouble sourcing some more uncommon proteins based on location, such as the one curry recipe that uses goat. Otherwise most everything can be ordered online if local marts don't carry something.Theme:For the collectors, how well does it integrate aspects of the series? Pretty darn well. The book is prefaced with a note from Kaylee that she is collecting recipes from other crew members into a sort of family cookbook, as a way for everyone to contribute something a little different to reflect on where they might be from. Each recipe is prefaced by a word or two from the contributing character, and largely stays in line to character and continuity. Because of the setting, this is not a book that puts on a lot of fancy airs about what recipes it includes and what ingredients are chosen, unlike a certain ill-fitting wasteland book that comes to mind... and when they do flap a little high class it's thematically fitting, kept brief, and to the point.In conclusion, I would have liked if there were more recipe pictures, but to do that they would have had to gut the number of recipes. Everything is a give or take. That aside, I would say, of all of this authors books to date ignore all of the other themed books for now and get this one first. Don't just get it if you're a fan of the series, get it because you enjoy good food.
S**F
A shiny collection of recipes.
There's two things I enjoy, cooking and watching "Firefly". When I learned about this cookbook, naturally I was intrigued. Yes, there will be those who will say that this is just another means of cashing in on the fandom of a TV series that was cancelled too soon by a network that didn't schedule it properly (seethe). But it is written in an entertaining way, and the recipes are interesting to say the least. The commentary "written" by the characters adds to the recipes, and these dishes would make good fare for binge-watching the episodes and film with friendly fans. As something of a novice to some cooking styles, I had to look up shaoxing wine (a Chinese rice wine used for cooking) and zaatar (a dried spice mixture), so this does broaden my horizons.Before you ask, Mudder's Milk is one of the recipes.Recommended to any Browncoat who knows their way around a kitchen or ship's galley.
S**N
Gifts for Myself and Bestie (who introduced me to Firefly); Great recipes so far!
Sent one (on the sly) to my friend who introduced me to Firefly and kept one for myself. Must-have for any Firefly fan who's looking for something unique to add to her/his collection. I appreciate the "storyline" of the cookbook, along with the character narratives regarding the recipes and the general Firefly look/feel to the book.REALLY appreciate the recipes. While most have an Asian flair, they are in keeping with the theme without being over-the-top. So far I've made the Shadow Ribs (phenomenal in the slow-cooker), Fresh Bao, and the Mulled Wine. All turned out well, and lend themselves to minor tweaks, if the cook is feeling adventurous (or cooking for a more selective palate). I anticipate making every recipe in this collection.
M**E
Fun cookbook
Firefly fans should enjoy this one. It was a gift so I really can't review recipes.
A**E
I loved everything I have made from it so far!!
I stumbled upon this when I found the Skyrim cookbook and I am so grateful I bought it! If I could give more than 5 stars I would have!!This is one of my now go to favorite cookbooks!! There isn't a single recipe from this cookbook that I have made that my family didn't love! River's Meat Pies, Mal's Spare Ribs, Jayne's Spaghetti Casserole, Wash's Wife Soup! We love it all!! I even made my husband Mudder's Milk (although I modified it for our preference)!If you love Firefly, get the Big Damn Cookbook!
S**A
Cool gift!
Bought for a family member and it was really great quality with interesting recipes, great for die hard fans like him!
C**R
Great! Just One Thing...
This cookbook is so great! I got it for my husband for valentines day. One thing did prompt me to leave a review and it's why I did give it four stars; if you have celiacs disease, just be sure to double check the ingredients listed in the gluten-free recipes. The Mudder's Milk is listed gluten free but calls for Malt Syrup which is made from barley and is not gluten free. As for the other recipes, many can be mildly altered to be gluten free so we were super excited about that!
K**N
A fun cookbook for überfans
While these may not be exact recipes from the show, this is definitely one of the better "alternate reality" cookbooks I've encountered. Most of the recipes are taken from real life, with fun tossed in
I**N
Für alle Fans
Tolles Buch, davon werden definitiv in nächster Zeit einige Rezepte gekocht.
J**S
Este es mi favorito hasta la fecha.
Mientras que el recetario de Elder Scrolls incluye los platillos y bebidas que te topas en los juegos, y el de Star Wars está escrito desde el punto de vista de un chef extraterrestre e incluye los platillos y bebidas del parque de diversiones, el concepto de éste es que Kaylee ha recopilado un recetario con los platillos que la tripulación de la Serenity le comparten, con una breve introducción en cada platillo de mano del personaje que la describe.Así que inlcuye recetas de Kaylee (obviamente), Simon, Jayne, Zoe, Inara, Wash, Shepherd Book, Mal, e incluso de River. Hasta se incluye una receta de Saffron de cuando está fingiendo ser la esposa de Mal.Otra cosa que me gustó bastante es que, de acuerdo al tema del libro, la mayoría son recetas que se supone los personajes cocinan y preparan en una nave espacial y muchas se originan en contextos militares y ganaderos/agrícolas en planetas de la periferia, o en planetas sobrepoblados. Por lo tanto, en general son sencillas de preparar en cocinas pequeñas sin mucho equipamiento, y están diseñadas para que funcionen aunque les cambies ingredientes por lo que tengas a la mano, emulando la escasez que los personajes de la serie experimentarían. Como sea, sí hay recetas más "nice" que se supone provienen de los planetas centrales, más ricos.También me gustó que las recetas imitan la mezcla de cultura Occidental y China que el futuro en la serie nos muestra. Un libro muy chingón, la verdad.
C**D
Everything's Shiney, Captain!
Great quips and tid bits throughout. Recipes are really good. You do need to kinda figure out that some recipes are dependent on making other things first, but nothing is too too complicated. Great for fans of the show and fans of the kitchen.
K**L
Not Just a Merchandising Tie-in
OK, saying "Firefly..." got my attention but I'm rating it 5* based on how usable the recipes I've cooked are, and how well the tie-in bits are characterised. It actually read like the cast really had written the introductions themselves in character!Also, I've already got modifications for Wash's goat curry (use mutton or lamb if you can't get goat meat, add some spinach for a goat saag aloo), and Zoe's green beans (you may know them as fine, string or French beans) will also work with mange tout or sugarsnap peas...
J**R
Shiny
Great cookbook that feels like it was really written by the crew of serenity
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