Customer Reviews

Beat That! Cookbook

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Ann Hodgman, former humor writer extraordinaire for the sadly missed SPY MAGAZINE, has come back to an overjoyed audience with her "Beat This!" and "Beat That!" cookbooks. The titles refer to the gauntlet flung down by Hodgman, challenging any and all to come up with a better recipe for, say, corn chowder (she calls hers "milkish, but not milkoid"), pasta salad, oatmeal cookies, and so on.

Some fun selections from Hodgman's kookily ruminative head notes on the recipes:

[On Bacony Split Pea Soup] "I know we all need to eat lower on the food chain, and at my house we're trying. Still, there's no denying that any split pea soup tastes a thousand times better with a hefty dose of smoked meats. This recipe gives you double value--bacon AND a ham hock."

[On Mrs. Westerman's Almond Pastry] "Where is Mrs. Westerman these days? When I was growing up, she was a friend of my mother's who made wonderful Christmas ornaments and also this wonderful almond pastry. In one cookbook I've seen, this recipe is called 'Spanish Breakfast Pastry.' I beg to differ! Mrs. Westerman is not Spanish!"

The book's recipes are frankly and proudly eclectic, as is Hodgman's sense of humor. She has the gift of sounding as though she's sitting right next to you as you read--her conversational writing style is absolutely a hoot, and the recipes work. Every single one that I've tried has been a keeper, which is more than I can say for a lot of more uppity-crust cookbooks out there.

What a shame Ann Hodgman's first cookbook, Beat This, is now out of print. Coupled with its newer sister, the duo would have made the perfect bridal shower gift for a dear friend. The recipies are great, and often feature unusual twists on old favorites, that really do make the recipies unbeatable. Equally as important, they do not involve esoteric ingredients, over complicated or fussy cooking techniques. Just plain good eating without unnecessary fuss.

How do we, as people who love practical and fun cookbooks, go about getting the first Hodgman cookbook, "Beat This!" back into print? It is a must for cooks who are serious about good food but not into creating new religions around spices and cuisines. "Beat That" is a continuation of the fun -- and Hodgman is the best of all possible cookbook writers, one who doesn't take herself seriously ALL the time. Actually, I want to BE Ann Hodgman.

I have about a million cookbooks. Most of them sit forlornly on the shelf, like last year's Tickle Me Elmo, as they see "Beat That" (and its predecessor, "Beat This) used time and time again. Every time I see either of these cookbooks in a store, I buy it, knowing that I'm going to find someone to give it to - and that that person will subsequently be indebted to me forever for introducing them to such completely, wonderfully swoon-able food. YOU MUST BUY THIS COOKBOOK

Every book that I have by this author is hilarious. These cookbooks you can sit around and read and enjoy. I have laughed out loud at the three cookbooks I have by this author.

This cookbook is not full of low fat recipes. It doesn't claim to be the easiest recipes. It has the best of the best recipes. IF they are high in fat or take some time to prepare, this cookbook promises they are worth the effort. So far, I agree. Everything I have made out of these two (Beat This and Beat That) has been great. And I'd say most of the recipes are not time consuming, nor do they require exotic ingredients.

Excellent. Enjoy.

Taking the best of the best for her second book, Hodgman compiles a delectable collection of recipes aimed to please the most discriminating palate and dares you to find something better. Few do, but Ann gives them their kudos when it happens. OK, it's not gourmet, low fat or even low-calorie, but this is the best of the best and creative, so who cares about the waistline!!! Run a few extra miles and work it off if you have to, it's worth it.

This is the cookbook I reach for most often when I'm looking for a recipe on a staple or a spin on a classic. Along with recipes, she has funny anecdotes that allow you to get to know her and her family (including her pets), and there's a great index in the back about why fine ingredients should be used and where to buy them. If you're an experienced cook like me, try the recipe 'as is' then tweak it and/or make notes in the margin; if you're relatively new to cooking like my boyfriend, the recipes are easy and fun to follow regardless of experience. But I assure you that most recipes are ab fab 'as is,' particularly the Salmon Spirals, Lumpia, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Orange Sherbert.

Buy it, cook it and let your friends think you're the most amazing cook who ever walked the planet! Mine do. Then go out and buy her "Beat This!" cookbook if you don't already have it and continue the magic.

Ann Hodgman's cookbooks blend humor with recipes that are simple and familiar. I grew up with food like this and it is comforting to have it presented in a way that is peppered with humor.

I've only made about a half dozen of the recipes in this book but each one is superb and company-worthy. You'll NEVER have to worry ever again about what to take to the next pot-luck luncheon at work. The author concentrates mainly on dishes we grew up with, comfort foods, etc. A sampling: cheese straws, meatloaf, apple crisp, great gravy, edible playdough(!), mom-style chicken salad, grape ice cream, best banana bread (it really is!!), shrimp salad, etc. A huge plus is the author's very funny remarks on almost every page. Buy this book........you won't be sorry.......except for your expanding waistline.

With Beat That!, Ann Hodgman continues her fight for culinary supremacy, even if it is only in her own mind. This book is every bit as funny and as good as its predecessor, Beat This!, with the added fillip of Hodgman admitting when she's been beaten, as she does by printing a reader's recipe for "superior" potato salad. Even though this salad contains the always low-rent Miracle Whip, Hodgman allows that it's better than her potato salad because it contains both sausage AND bacon. Yes, she was bested by smoked meats, and happily concedes the battle. What a gal. Buy this book.

Because I'm such a big fan of the author's "Beat This" cookbook (which I rated five stars - see my review), I bought this book as soon as it became available While this is a good cookbook, I did not find the recipies as show stopping, and I would have preferred a better variety of dishes and ingredients.