On a Stick!: 80 Party-Perfect Recipes [Paperback]

Matt Armendariz (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 3, 2011

Why do the world’s most delicious foods taste even better served on a stick? Author and photographer Matt Armendariz answers the question with dozens of delightful recipes for party food, street-cart food, junk food, and more. From elegant hors d’oeuvres to humble everyday fare, it’s all here:

     •  deep-fried mac 'n' cheese
     •  s'mores
     •  antipasti
     •  bacon-wrapped shrimp
     •  fudge puppies
     •  fish and chips

...and more!

Plus tricks for using sticks and skewers like cocktail picks, sugarcane, and fresh rosemary, ideas for entertaining, and quick and easy recipes for delicious homemade marinades, dips, and sauces. See for yourself why everything tastes better On a Stick!

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Creative, comprehensive, and crammed with full-color photos, On a Stick!, by Matt Armendariz, is, frankly, the most awesome cookbook concept we’ve come across in a while (and maybe ever).” —Grandparents.com

“Food blogger and professional photographer Armendiaz’s impressive collection of stick-mounted recipes is enough to keep county fair vendors in business for at least another decade.”—Publishers Weekly

“...a wildly inventive take on finger food.”—Bay Area News Group

“On a Stick! is filled with surprising and exotic nibbles—kind of a mash-up of Asian street food and state fair fare.”—Katherine Miller, The Oregonian

From the Author

Matt Armendariz is a man with a passion for good food and a wonderful life with a dash of irreverence, as evidenced by his entertaining food blog, mattbites.com. His work has been recognized by numerous shows and publications, including The New Yorker, Bon Appétit, House Beautiful, Epicurious, Serious Eats, and Everyday Food, and he's even baked cookies with Martha Stewart. He lives in Los Angeles.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Quirk Books (May 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594744890
• ISBN-13: 978-1594744891
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 0.6 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Meals > Appetizers

More About the Author

Hi! My name is Matt Armendariz and I'm a man obsessed with food, drink and everything in between! I began blogging at the end of 2005 to share my experiences in the food business and all the behind-the-scenes moments. I never knew what began as a labor of love would lead me to so many amazing culinary experiences and I'm delighted to share them with you! Irreverent, goofy, but always delicious!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for everyone! May 3, 2011

By C. Short

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is perfect for parents trying to get picky kids to try new things. I have four boys who all have very different food quirks. This book is a great way to get them involved in trying new things. What kid doesn't want to eat something on a stick? It's fun, tasty, and they can stand right next to you and make their own.

On top of that, this book is ideal for cocktail parties. The ways you can present these recipes are very versatile and will have everyone commenting on how great of an idea it was to put everything on a stick. It brings us all back to being a kid and enjoying our favorite fair foods, comfort foods, etc. People love eating with their hands and this is the perfect way to allow that.

I've moved this book to the font of my collection. This is now my go to book for appetizers, fun meals and kid friendly recipes.

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My new go to book for entertaining May 3, 2011

By K. Gill

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I will say up front that I know Matt personally, and he is a friend of mine. I review cookbooks on his website. In a way that might make me biased, however, I believe it makes me qualified to comment on this book because I see hundreds of cookbooks a year, pulling out only the best for review.

I never thought I'd be a food on a stick person, but this book has convinced me of exactly how versatile, easy, and valuable food on a stick is for entertaining. Matt has taken some classic food on a stick (corn dogs, a favorite of mine!!), and has made new recipes- bacon wrapped shrimp, mojito melons, fried mac n cheese, to name a few.

What I like about this book:

- It contains the perfect mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, suggestions on how to adapt some of the meat recipes.
- There is a wide range of recipes, all of which are simple, ingredients are easy to find, sophisticated, and many of them unique (you won't find them elsewhere)
- Each recipe has a photograph, so you know what you're preparing
- The recipes work.

I used to swear by my Martha Stewart Hors D'oeuvres Handbook, which is still a formidable book but which often requires quite a few steps and loads of prep. On A Stick! has taken over the number one go to book for me for its simplicity, range of recipes, and layout.

This is a great book for someone who entertains a lot for children and adults alike, or even someone who has one important party to throw and wants to make a great impression. Many of the recipes can be prepared in stages ahead, so suited to catering.

I've ordered several copies for friends who I know will wear the pages thin, especially going into the summer outdoor dining season!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars On A Stick! May 3, 2011

By Gaby

Format:Paperback

On A Stick! is the perfect book for entertaining. As a personal chef I am always trying to find fun ways to present good food - and this book not only provides me with tons of options but GREAT recipes that I know will become staples for my clients. My personal favorite recipes are the Smore's on a stick, Fried Ravioli and ALL of the meat skewers. I couldn't be happier with this book :)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Yum yum yum, gorgeous book May 16, 2011

By Tamara Dwyer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Wowzers, this is first and foremost a *beautiful* book. Each recipe, each skewer type, each sauce, is absolutely picture-perfect. Fantastic ideas for fun foods for a family supper or a houseful. Great balance of sweet and savory, meat and vegetables, and my favorite, cheese. Large variety of ingredients, from pork belly to tofu and back again.

Many of the recipes are rather complex and require time, skill, and luck. Quite a few recipes require frying, and I never have learned to fry food. Everything is from scratch, no shortcuts assembling pre-made foods.

Listing the nutritional information, cooking technique -- grill, fry, or bake -- and the prep time would help users go from casual browsing to real menu planning. The fried spaghetti and meatballs makes a lovely picture, but time-consuming: first make spaghetti and meatballs, chill 12 hours, then assemble -- finally fry each of 8 portions separately for 6 to 8 minutes. The frying alone would require an hour.

Specific recipes might intimidate me, but I'm still thrilled with the purchase. Balancing out the "oh, no, that's too hard" are simple great ideas for party foods, quick kabobs and simple desserts. Tastes from around the globe and the US. It's a beautiful inspiration to create new presentations of your favorite recipes -- leafing through it my housemate and I started talking about ways to use paneer and other foods we love and serve 'em up on-a-stick with fantastic dipping sauce. Well worth it for the pictures and ideas alone. Food should be fun!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book! May 8, 2011

By Marla Meridith

Format:Paperback

As soon as I heard about On a Stick! I knew I had to get my hands on it. Matt's fun, high energy personality shines through on every page. The recipes are amazing, well thought out and each one is a "must try!" I love the diversity of ingredients and the range of flavor combinations. They are easily adaptable for different food preferences and lifestyle choices. On a Stick recipes would add a playful, memorable twist to any party. From beach potlucks to fancy get togethers - serving these skewered foods to guests would be impressive. They are simple to prepare, and a clever way to stand, mingle and enjoy food with friends. All the bases are covered too, savory, sweet and dipping sauces. Add in some fun cocktails and the party is well on it's way.
Not only is the idea of food on a stick genius for entertaining, it is what everyone could use for those picky eaters (we all know at least one.) Want a surefire way to get little kids intrigued with new flavors? Serve em' On a Stick! The novelty of no forks, spoons, etc. entices little ones to try new things. I will be cooking from this gorgeous book all summer & adding it to my holiday gift giving line up!