Review: Dude Food by Karen Brooks, Gideon Bosker & Reed Darmon

DUDE FOOD:  Recipes for the Modern Guy

by Karen Brooks, Gideon Bosker & Reed Darmon

I love the art of the hunt more so than the purchase of the book, therefore I hunted down this book via the library and I'm very glad to have found it.  The contradictions may seem lengthy:

  • I am not a dude (male gender)
  • I don't not eat meat
  • I don't consider myself very modern

So why did I pick up this book?  I love the word "dude".  As much it can annoy the eff out of many people, it makes sense to me.  The 80's revival of the word stands for a masculine sensitivity that we certainly needed in that era.  And yes, the word means different things to different people, but in the world of food it brings the cowboys and cowgirls together and warrants a "Yeeehaaaw" that stands for comfort food, simplicity and "damn tasty."

But I digress.  Recipe books mostly draw me in because of their art, layout and readability and this one hits the lonestar on the steer.  It has easy-to-read recipes, fun stock photos and at least one quote from Anthony Bourdaine into a book that fits in your roomy ipad pouch.

What does it have? Here's your handy outline:

Intro: No need for "forwards," they play it polite with an introduction.  It's very journalistic, but a quick read to figure out if this is the book for you. Don't let it intimidate you; the pages are small.

When Dude Meets Foods Chapters

  1. Dudes and Donts
  2. Romancing the Stove
  3. Male Bonding
  4. Master of Ceremonies
  5. Patio Daddy-o
  6. Mr.Mom
  7. The Lone Ranger
  8. Side Kicks
  9. SweetTalking Guy
  10. Cooking Terms
  11. Table of Equivalents

Where:  borrowed from the Chicago Public Library, Bucktown Branch

Who: That guy or gal that really wants to learn to cook, or is adventurous in the kitchen even though sometimes they end up with odd results: they try hard and effort should be rewarded.

When: This is a book that's small but mighty.  Perfect for a light gift for someone you know on Facebook casually, or even a close dude-friend.