annieb123's review
5.0
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Princess Bride Cookbook is a tutorial guide with recipes and media homage to the film with written and curated by Jenn Fujikawa. Due out 6th Dec 2022 from Ben Bella Books on their Smart Pop imprint, it's 192 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's made in association with the requisite approvals and permissions, so it's an official product which is very nice.
This is an upbeat and well written cookbook with a fun vibe full of recipes named in homage to the iconic and beloved film. The introduction includes a short background history of the making of the Princess Bride and snippets of dialogue.
The recipes are all named in reference to the film (six-fingered sandwiches, Humperdinck's eggs & soldiers, "Mutton" lettuce & tomato sandwiches, etc). Recipe ingredients are listed bullet style in a sidebar. Measurements are given in imperial (USA) measurements only. There is no nutritional info provided. Special tools and ingredients are also listed, along with yields and step by step cooking directions. Special features such as gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan are noted in the header.
All the recipes are arranged thematically: Enchanting breakfasts, Gallant lunches, Adventurous dinners, Swashbuckling snacks, Valiant desserts, Triumphant drinks, and Momentous soirées (menus for gatherings and parties).
The ingredients will be easily sourced at any moderately well stocked grocery store. Most of the recipes are accompanied by one or more photos. The photographs which are included are clear and appealing and serving suggestions are appropriate. It's also absolutely *full* of wonderful photo stills and shots from the film which filled me with a warm nostalgia.
This book would make a great gift for film lovers. It would be a star feature for folks who enjoy filmwatching parties with friends. There's a whole cookbook subgenre associated with recipes for fandom tie-ins and this is a very very good example.
Five stars. Have fun stormin' da castle! <3
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Princess Bride Cookbook is a tutorial guide with recipes and media homage to the film with written and curated by Jenn Fujikawa. Due out 6th Dec 2022 from Ben Bella Books on their Smart Pop imprint, it's 192 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's made in association with the requisite approvals and permissions, so it's an official product which is very nice.
This is an upbeat and well written cookbook with a fun vibe full of recipes named in homage to the iconic and beloved film. The introduction includes a short background history of the making of the Princess Bride and snippets of dialogue.
The recipes are all named in reference to the film (six-fingered sandwiches, Humperdinck's eggs & soldiers, "Mutton" lettuce & tomato sandwiches, etc). Recipe ingredients are listed bullet style in a sidebar. Measurements are given in imperial (USA) measurements only. There is no nutritional info provided. Special tools and ingredients are also listed, along with yields and step by step cooking directions. Special features such as gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan are noted in the header.
All the recipes are arranged thematically: Enchanting breakfasts, Gallant lunches, Adventurous dinners, Swashbuckling snacks, Valiant desserts, Triumphant drinks, and Momentous soirées (menus for gatherings and parties).
The ingredients will be easily sourced at any moderately well stocked grocery store. Most of the recipes are accompanied by one or more photos. The photographs which are included are clear and appealing and serving suggestions are appropriate. It's also absolutely *full* of wonderful photo stills and shots from the film which filled me with a warm nostalgia.
This book would make a great gift for film lovers. It would be a star feature for folks who enjoy filmwatching parties with friends. There's a whole cookbook subgenre associated with recipes for fandom tie-ins and this is a very very good example.
Five stars. Have fun stormin' da castle! <3
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
annsbibliotherapy's review
I loved everything about this cookbook, the integration of the story, the recipes, the number of times I found myself reliving the first time, and the many times after that I watched the movie, it is perfect.
Since this is a cookbook let's start with that, the recipes are easy to follow and there are things for every level of home cook from beginner to advanced which I appreciated.
The way the story flows through the recipes was something I had not expected, and it was a brilliant surprise. I don't know why but I never would have thought of a cookbook being done this way, I'm so glad a story I love and hold dear to my heart was the first time I saw this approach.
While the story does take center stage at most points the descriptions of the recipes and how they fit with the foods were spot on.
I have to say there hasn't been another cookbook I enjoyed nearly as much as this one, more often than not I found myself just sitting and reading through it and enjoying the photos and movie memories.
Thank you to NetGalley and BenBella Books for providing an advance copy of this book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Since this is a cookbook let's start with that, the recipes are easy to follow and there are things for every level of home cook from beginner to advanced which I appreciated.
The way the story flows through the recipes was something I had not expected, and it was a brilliant surprise. I don't know why but I never would have thought of a cookbook being done this way, I'm so glad a story I love and hold dear to my heart was the first time I saw this approach.
While the story does take center stage at most points the descriptions of the recipes and how they fit with the foods were spot on.
I have to say there hasn't been another cookbook I enjoyed nearly as much as this one, more often than not I found myself just sitting and reading through it and enjoying the photos and movie memories.
Thank you to NetGalley and BenBella Books for providing an advance copy of this book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
libraryjen's review
lighthearted
relaxing
3.0
I'm not a big cook or fan of cooking, I picked this up to meet a prompt in Book Riot's Read Harder 2023 Challenge. The prompt was "Read a cookbook cover to cover."
The pictures of the movie and movie set were a lot of fun. I wish there were more pictures of the recipes. It was a nice, quick, nostalgic read and I'll probably never actually make more than two or three of the recipes. I definitely recommend this book more for the nostalgia factor for Princess Bride fans than for foodies.
The pictures of the movie and movie set were a lot of fun. I wish there were more pictures of the recipes. It was a nice, quick, nostalgic read and I'll probably never actually make more than two or three of the recipes. I definitely recommend this book more for the nostalgia factor for Princess Bride fans than for foodies.
lorialdenholuta's review
5.0
“Sonny, true love is the greatest thing in the world… except for a nice MLT. Mutton, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomatoes are ripe. They’re so perky, I love that.” – Miracle Max
I admit it. I have a weakness for fandom cookbooks. They tend to be over the top whimsical, pun-laden, and filled with pictures. There’s a heck of a lot of them out there pairing food and wit with movies, television shows, books, comics, games, characters — yes, Hello Kitty has a cookbook — and even those mouse-based theme parks. Whatever you’re passionate about, you are likely to find a themed cookbook to feed your fannish hunger.
Back in the early 90s, this reviewer contributed recipes to an unofficial Northern Exposure cookbook, which we titled Canned Moose. It was never distributed beyond our little band of merry mooseketeers, but that creative experience left me with a permanent appreciation for fandom cookbooks.
The Princess Bride is a movie beloved by many, of course. With such a huge fan base, it’s no surprise that this isn’t the first cookbook based on the movie to be published, but I believe it’s the best. It excels in not just the quality of content, but also in the professional polish given to the editing and layout. (One previously published cookbook which shall remain unnamed was unable to stand up under the weight of its typos and grammar gaffes. Even the TITLE has a typo.)
But Jenn Fujikawa has got it right. There’s a playful joy and brightness to her cookbook that’s lacking in other attempts. The recipe titles are wonderfully clever (Six-Fingered Sandwiches, Anyone Want A Peanut?), delightfully punny (Hash You Wish, Bread Pirate Roberts, Have You The Wing), and convey the story (Inigo Montoya’s Taste of Revenge, Two Wove’s Kiss Cookies, The Grandson’s Soup and Sandwich). The food photography is outstanding – even Miracle Max’s Miracle Pills are displayed on plates so pretty I wish they were mine.
What I’ll be trying first: R.O.U.S.es – Rolls of Unusual Size. These are fresh-baked bread stuffed with savory ham and cheese and decorated to look like a rodent. What could be better?
Once I purchase a packet of butterfly pea flower powder, I’m going to whip up an “Inconceivable” color-changing drink. Before reading this cookbook, I was unfamiliar with butterfly pea flower powder (try saying that fast five times). A quick google search taught me that it’s readily available, easy to use, and apparently delicious. I appreciated learning about a new-to-me ingredient.
After the recipes, you’ll find menu plans for picnics, parties, happy hours, and intimate date and movie nights to help you enjoy the cookbook to its fullest. And once the party is over and you’re happily fed, there’s only one thing left to say…
"Good night, Westley. Good work. Sleep well. I’ll most likely kill you in the morning." – Dread Pirate Roberts
My thanks to author Jenn Fujikawa, BenBella Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital review copy of this book.
Review originally posted at SciFi.Radio - https://scifi.radio/2023/01/30/book-review-the-princess-bride-the-official-cookbook/
I admit it. I have a weakness for fandom cookbooks. They tend to be over the top whimsical, pun-laden, and filled with pictures. There’s a heck of a lot of them out there pairing food and wit with movies, television shows, books, comics, games, characters — yes, Hello Kitty has a cookbook — and even those mouse-based theme parks. Whatever you’re passionate about, you are likely to find a themed cookbook to feed your fannish hunger.
Back in the early 90s, this reviewer contributed recipes to an unofficial Northern Exposure cookbook, which we titled Canned Moose. It was never distributed beyond our little band of merry mooseketeers, but that creative experience left me with a permanent appreciation for fandom cookbooks.
The Princess Bride is a movie beloved by many, of course. With such a huge fan base, it’s no surprise that this isn’t the first cookbook based on the movie to be published, but I believe it’s the best. It excels in not just the quality of content, but also in the professional polish given to the editing and layout. (One previously published cookbook which shall remain unnamed was unable to stand up under the weight of its typos and grammar gaffes. Even the TITLE has a typo.)
But Jenn Fujikawa has got it right. There’s a playful joy and brightness to her cookbook that’s lacking in other attempts. The recipe titles are wonderfully clever (Six-Fingered Sandwiches, Anyone Want A Peanut?), delightfully punny (Hash You Wish, Bread Pirate Roberts, Have You The Wing), and convey the story (Inigo Montoya’s Taste of Revenge, Two Wove’s Kiss Cookies, The Grandson’s Soup and Sandwich). The food photography is outstanding – even Miracle Max’s Miracle Pills are displayed on plates so pretty I wish they were mine.
What I’ll be trying first: R.O.U.S.es – Rolls of Unusual Size. These are fresh-baked bread stuffed with savory ham and cheese and decorated to look like a rodent. What could be better?
Once I purchase a packet of butterfly pea flower powder, I’m going to whip up an “Inconceivable” color-changing drink. Before reading this cookbook, I was unfamiliar with butterfly pea flower powder (try saying that fast five times). A quick google search taught me that it’s readily available, easy to use, and apparently delicious. I appreciated learning about a new-to-me ingredient.
After the recipes, you’ll find menu plans for picnics, parties, happy hours, and intimate date and movie nights to help you enjoy the cookbook to its fullest. And once the party is over and you’re happily fed, there’s only one thing left to say…
"Good night, Westley. Good work. Sleep well. I’ll most likely kill you in the morning." – Dread Pirate Roberts
My thanks to author Jenn Fujikawa, BenBella Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital review copy of this book.
Review originally posted at SciFi.Radio - https://scifi.radio/2023/01/30/book-review-the-princess-bride-the-official-cookbook/
bookdrgn's review
4.0
This is full of quotes from the movie, pictures from the movie and the recipes, and great punned names for the recipes like Hash You Wish, six-fingered sandwiches, and a parties section.
It would make a great addition to the bookshelf of any Princess Bride fan.
The book includes gluten-free and vegan recipes ensuring all fans can find something fun to cook.
I received a copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
It would make a great addition to the bookshelf of any Princess Bride fan.
The book includes gluten-free and vegan recipes ensuring all fans can find something fun to cook.
I received a copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
southern_librarian's review
adventurous
funny
informative
fast-paced
3.0
This one was hard to rate! Five stars for screen shots, quotes, and memories. Two stars for recipes. There just weren't many unique dishes, only about 2/3 were photographed, and several called for unusual ingredients you might not keep on hand. (Example: Fezzik's Stew. It was just regular stew, with Fezzik's name inserted. Or Screaming Eels, which included a note that you'd need to check your local Asian grocery store for the ingredients.) But I did enjoy my time flipping through it and reading quotes and seeing screen shots. It made me want to re-watch the movie! And as I flipped through I kept thinking that since most recipes weren't overtly tied to the movie, it might instead be fun to make several items and have them out at a themed party or movie night with little signs sharing their name and connection to the movie. And then the last chapter did just that for you! It gave menu ideas for occasions such as "Buttercup's Picnic." Nice! Nothing jumped out at me to try, but I don't at all regret the time spent reading.
cisforcookie88's review
5.0
I laughed so hard when I was reading the names of the recipes. I loved the names so much! This is MUST for any fan of The Princess Bride.
There is a lot to appeal to everyone's tastes in this book. I can't wait to make some of the recipes and watch the movie as I eat them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
There is a lot to appeal to everyone's tastes in this book. I can't wait to make some of the recipes and watch the movie as I eat them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
annarella's review
5.0
I think it's a must have if you are a fan of the movie/book. Plenty of recipes inspired by the plot, a lot of pictures.
The recipes are well explained and easy to follow.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
The recipes are well explained and easy to follow.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
bosicbyi's review
5.0
I recently had the utmost pleasure of perusing the glorious masterpiece that is The Princess Bride: The Official Cookbook, digital arc received courtesy of NetGalley and BenBella Books, Smart Pop.
The Princess Bride was one of my all-time favorite movies when I was growing up, I still quote many lines to this day. Skimming through the pages of this I came to the realization that I haven’t presented this amazing movie to my children. What kind of mother am I!?
Needless to say, my four kids now quote the lines as I’m catching moments of pretend sword fighting. My daughter even pretended to be Princess Buttercup as they were having the most epic light saber battle.
This wonderful cookbook is filled with many intriguing recipes such as Farm Boy Breakfast, Six-Fingered Sandwiches, and Mawidge Meatwoaf. Not only is it filled with recipes it also has so many wonderful photos and quotes from the movie.
What recipe tempted me the most was…
Valerie’s Magical Flan
This cake. This was…in my opinion…one of the best things I’ve ever made. The cake…the chocolatliciousness…the glorious moist fudge like cake was marvelous. Something beautiful happens to the cake when it moves. The flan must cling onto it somehow. It’s so perfectly moist. The flan section, meh. I mean I suppose the cake wouldn’t have been so glorious without it, but the flan part didn’t do much for me in terms of flavor. It was the cake. The cake I will dream about forever. The cake that will become my signature cake in my house.
Full review here bit.ly/3W5SzYB
The Princess Bride was one of my all-time favorite movies when I was growing up, I still quote many lines to this day. Skimming through the pages of this I came to the realization that I haven’t presented this amazing movie to my children. What kind of mother am I!?
Needless to say, my four kids now quote the lines as I’m catching moments of pretend sword fighting. My daughter even pretended to be Princess Buttercup as they were having the most epic light saber battle.
This wonderful cookbook is filled with many intriguing recipes such as Farm Boy Breakfast, Six-Fingered Sandwiches, and Mawidge Meatwoaf. Not only is it filled with recipes it also has so many wonderful photos and quotes from the movie.
What recipe tempted me the most was…
Valerie’s Magical Flan
This cake. This was…in my opinion…one of the best things I’ve ever made. The cake…the chocolatliciousness…the glorious moist fudge like cake was marvelous. Something beautiful happens to the cake when it moves. The flan must cling onto it somehow. It’s so perfectly moist. The flan section, meh. I mean I suppose the cake wouldn’t have been so glorious without it, but the flan part didn’t do much for me in terms of flavor. It was the cake. The cake I will dream about forever. The cake that will become my signature cake in my house.
Full review here bit.ly/3W5SzYB
ana_distracted's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
This is a very clever cookbook! It is true to the spirit of The Princess Bride. If you know and love the movie (or book), then I think you will enjoy this cookbook. Each recipe is cleverly named after something important from the movie. There is a short introduction that references the movie and then segues into the recipe. The recipes are real and varied. Appetizers, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, deserts, and drinks. I started book-marking recipes that I wanted to try and then found myself bookmarking more than half the recipes and gave up. I really enjoyed flipping through the pages for the little bits of dialogue and the images from the movie. I also really enjoyed what a great job the author did of connecting each recipe to the movie. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for my honest opinion.