Customer Reviews

Off the Eaten Path : Inspired Recipes for Adventurous Cooks

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I recently got to meet Bob at a book signing and had a chance to taste two recipes- the Shrimp on the Bar-B (grilled shrimp in a chipotle dry rub arranged around a Barbie doll) and grilled asparagus. Truly AWESOME food. I've had the chance to make some of the recipes in the book already and can't wait for the next opportunity to try one. Maybe some time this weekend I'll try cooking the lemongrass shrimp on the car engine. There aren't a lot of recipes in the book, but Bob tends to emphasize quality over quantity; all of the recipes are incredibly easy and unlike a lot of cookbooks out there that offer easy cooking but leave you wishing you had made reservations instead, the results are invariably as good or better than your local expensive restaurant.

By the way, in case you're wondering what a pressed-cheese sandwich is, it's just like a classic grilled cheese except that you cook it with your iron. If you want that know how and all kinds of other great information (like taking the luck out of a potluck party), Off the Eaten Path is waiting for you.

In "Off The Eaten Path" cookbook author, and closet comedian, Bob Blumer gives you permission to play with your food. Honest! Through very achievable recipes, several unusual techniques, and some of the most comical photos youll ever set your eyes on, he demonstrates that cooking doesn't have to be a chore. All this without using bizarre ingredients or equipment, Ok, a dishwasher might be construed as bizarre. Hey! People once thought deep-frying a turkey was weird and now look.

I'm still working up the nerve to try "Dishwasher Salmon with Piquant Dill Sauce" but I can swear by "Brown-Bagged Lemon-Tarragon Chicken with Capers". His paper bag technique may just replace the need for expensive parchment paper. I don't like creamed vegetables but "(I Can't Believe It's Not) Creamed Corn" from "Slammin' Salmon Extravaganza" is a keeper especially now that corn is in season. It is pure creamy sweet goodness.

There may be a lifted recipe or two in the "Extreme Cuisine" chapter but that's one chapter and there's so much more to this book.

I feel weird about writing a review for a recipe book, but this book is so extremely well thought out and put together, that it's worth it and I must. This book is thought out and put together in both content and style. It's a piece of art, but it's packed with real substance: that is to say, the recipes are extremely tasty! There aren't a ton of recipes here, which is a good thing because the author obviously got the chance to use only his favorites. This is a beautiful, beautiful book and I urge you to buy it if you like buying recipe books, or even if you don't - make this your first! Trust me!

This is much more than a cookbook--it is an adventure unto itself. Blumer's art and writing make this book fun to read, even if you don't want to try the recipes. But once you sample these recipes, you'll be hooked. As a non-cook, I have tried preparing several of the recipes for my wife. Everything we have tried has been incredibly delicious. And to top it off, the recipes are very forgiving--if you make a mistake, the dishes still turn out fine! Give this cooking adventure a try!

The Surreal Gourmet leads the way into fun with food. From a themed meal to fun named dishes, the food here is good and will expand one's entry into gourmetland if you're not there already.

What I really enjoy about this guy's work is the energy and enthusiasm he brings to it, which in turn opens up the rest of us who are into doing new things with food and menus and such.

The "Drive In" recipes are fun as packages are manifold heated and the "Brown Bag" dinners are the best, especially get into "Sea Bass with Papaya Salsa."

Drinks are here too, such as "Raspberry Martini", but please take everyone's keys first.

Pepper-Crusted Maple Glazed Salmon is a winner and keeper recipe as well as Grilled Raisin Bread Stilton and Pear Dessertwich!

Play with your food and bring Bob along. Good stuff!

My cookbook's now all sandy 'cause I spent my summer lounging in near the ocean and reading Bob Blumer's quirky recipes. Call me odd, but maybe you should try it - it was relaxing and made me really excited about all of the recipes.

I liked how he split the book into sections, and the 'not luck' dinner was great! The maple salmon recipe looks amazing.. I keep on meaning to try it out, but always put it off.

But that's the thing about this cookbook - you don't need to cook from it to enjoy it. The pictures are great, the prose is great, the recipes are great, the food is great. Give it a try - Bob Blumer can really spice up your summer from this book alone.

When I saw this book I knew I had to buy it. Where else will I find instructions for cooking a salmon in the dishwasher or a trout on my car engine? Much to my husband's dismay I promptly went home and loaded dinner into the dishwasher, added dirty dishes and soap, and voila, an hour later we were dining. I can't wait to try more recipes, and give copies of the book to adventurous friends. My only beef is that the book doesn't say whether to run the dishwasher with heated drying or in energy saver mode.

I own all of Bob's books. In addition to offering simple delicious food they are just plain fun to read. You'll get much more than recipes. There are ideas for super easy, very elegant presentations and menus. This is the book to turn to when you're planning a dinner party and you want to have as much fun as your guests.Catch Bob's new show on the Food Network, too. (The candied salmon is to die for by the way)

this is a really fun book. It really changes the way you think about your food. Even if you don't like to cook, Blumer will make you want to get into the kitchen. I've made several of his recipes and they have all been really wonderful. Not to mention providing a springboard to work on my own ideas.

I've got all Bob's books, and this is probably the most cookable. Great ideas for parties, adventure, movie nights. Apart from the rather naff "Extreme" chapter (really Bob, cooking in the dishwasher and on the car engine??), this is v useful. The Grill of Ecstasy and Slammin Salmon Extravaganza are magnificent menus which I can recommend.