Thug Kitchen Cookbook

I hope that I will inspire you to check out this amazing cookbook! (Caution: coarse language ahead! But that’s what makes it fun.)

My selection for this month’s Cephalopod Coffeehouse Book Review Club is the Thug Kitchen Cookbook, which was published last October.  I first heard of this cookbook when my friend Christine shared this promo video with me:

Laughing like crazy, and worried that I too may be suffering from not giving a f*ck, I dashed to the library to request the book. When it came in and I cracked it open for the first time, I was sold – and not just because of my puerile love of plentiful cussing!

The recipes in Thug Kitchen are so tantalizing. They are vegan recipes and use many ingredients I have not used before (tofu, tempeh, etc.) and that frankly I have not been interested in using. I have to say that this cookbook actually has be considering to give tofu a try. And in the meantime, it’s a simple thing to just sub in some meat or cheese where I think they will be delicious additions.

The recipes are presented in a very down-to-earth way with hilarious write-ups that dispel ridiculous excuse-making for not trying the unfamiliar ingredients, or reasons why one cannot find time to eat healthy.

I have made two recipes multiple times from this cookbook. The first recipe was the Pozole Rojo. The recipe called for tempeh and zucchini, but I said f*ck it and added cooked chicken breast and corn to mine. The sauce in this soup/stew was rich and spicy from the blended chilis, garlic, and cocoa powder. The family was impressed!

The other recipe that I tried is the Baked Spanish Rice. The rice was so flavorful and creamy. For dinner one night we ate it rolled up in tortillas with salsa and melted cheese. The next day it made for tasty lunches warmed up and eaten with tortilla chips! The second time I made it I subbed in cooked bulgur for the rice, and it was equally tasty.

The next two must-try recipes on my list are the Smoked Almond and Chickpea Salad Sammies, which apparently leave the folks at Thug Kitchen speechless, and I am so intrigued!

And also the Roasted Potato Salad with Fresh Herbs. This potato salad in particular is really calling to me, so fresh and zippy. Perfect for summertime too since there will be no “nasty mayo-covered crap you are used to choking down at picnics!”

I love that there is no pretentiousness in this cookbook – it’s like cooking side by side with your foul-mouthed buddies who won’t hesitate to call you out on your bullsh**.

In addition to this cookbook, Thug Kitchen has also released Party Grub: For Social Mother F***ers, and in October 2016 they will release Thug Kitchen 101: Fast As F*** which focuses on one-pot and easy dishes. To date I have convinced five of my buddies to purchase Thug Kitchen Cookbook – who the f*ck is next?

**What is The Cephalopod Coffeehouse, you ask? Brilliant and well-dressed is the host The Armchair Squid who describes it thusly:

“The idea is simple: on the last Friday of each month, post about the best book you’ve finished over the past month while visiting other bloggers doing the same.  In this way, we’ll all have the opportunity to share our thoughts with other enthusiastic readers.” Check out his blog for book reviews: ArmchairSquid.Blogspot.com.