Customer Reviews

Ribstars Backyard Smoking & BBQ Cookbook

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm from Texas so I'm particular about my barbeque! This book is for SMOKING and BBQ lovers and there is something for everyone in this little gem! You can tell that "the Chef" (and author) has tried and tested these recipes.... it gives you the confidence to try it his way! I like the fact that this book gives you details in plain language..... I especially enjoyed the tips and tidbit information throughout......and a bonus at the end of the book was some great summertime side dishes and salad recipes. So far, every recipe my husband and I have tried has been perfect and delicious...just ask all of our friends and neighbors!!!

The author may be a great cook but you'll have no chance of emulating him using this book. Whole sections are completely incoherent. Recipes are mostly impossible to follow. A recipe will have a list of ingredients -- some of which never show up again in the process.
I've been cooking for a long time and don't need to have my hand held but this is by far the worst cookbook I've ever seen. I can't believe it ever got into print. That I had to pay for it only adds to the insult.

This is my first review of any book at all. I have chosen to write this becuase I have never been as disappointed with a book as I have with this one.

From page 1 you realize that this book is written by someone other than a professional writer. That can be good or bad. In this case it is bad... very bad. Yes, the writer has experience in winning BBQ awards, though not very recently if you read his list of awards won, and even many of those were not first or second place. That is OK, but what is not OK is that this book is written with a tremendous amount of grammatical errors which should have been caught by a proofreader.

Also the book frequently has recipes for very large sized parties and not you average backyard BBQ. But what really bothered me the most is that the writer in several instances could mislead you by not giving you all the information you need to make good "Q".

For instance, in one recipe the writer uses "Pick-a-Peppa" sauce. Well that is all fine and dandy excpet that there is a brown version of that sauce and a red version of that sauce and they are ENTIRELY different in flavor. One could not be substituted for the other without adversely affecting four end product. And, if I remember correctly, the recipe calls for a WHOLE BOTTLE of sauce... Gee, I'ld hate to use the wrong color sauce. I could go on and on.

There are a few recipes worth checking out. And some good background info on making good "Q", but you would be far better served by finding another book, and so would your guests.

This chef is likely the best!! His cookbook is an easy read, even for those of us intimidated by cooking! I have given over a half dozen of Chef McPeake's cookbooks to family and friends as gifts and all have truly enjoyed. Family and friends who pride themselves on being good cooks especially appreciated the cookbook as a gift. The cookbook is also ideal for anyone familiar with Kansas City style barbeque. I'm looking forward to purchasing more of Chef McPeake's upcoming cookbooks! Best of luck to you Richard!!

This book is awsome! Not only is it wrtten well, the recipes are oustanding and easy to follow. Plus......they actually work unlike many other books!

I have used several recipes already and they are GREAT and easy to follow!

As a novice backyard smoker and lifelong lover of BBQ, I have found that this book provides the insight to savor new flavors. I have already tested some of the recipes on my family and have received rave reviews. No leftovers is an excellent testimony. I would recommend this book to any current or want-to-be backyard smokers.

I bought this for my husband, he is a lover of smoked foods. He has made several of the Chef's recipes and says it is a GREAT book. We have been very impressed with the Shredded Pork Butt, his was always flavorless and never tender. Now he is a Smoking Chef! Says he is going to make all the recipes by the end of summer, also likes the easy to use recipes and cross reference. This is a keeper!

This book can be depended on to give down to earth tips, guides and recipes that work! You don't have to be a great cook, or spend all your time perfecting your barbeque techniques to really benefit from these pages. These recipes WORK! I don't have the patience (or skill!!) to deal with complex cookbooks and recipes. This book works for me, yet can also produce great results for the true dedicated barbeque expert! Try it!!!

I am a collector of different recipe and cook books. I found this to be very educational. Unlike most cooking books, you have to first read and study the information and then begin, whereas in other books you just find a pretty picture or a recipe and start to cook but you learn nothing. I would recommend this to everyone who enjoys backyard grilling!!!

Wow,
I didn't have any good recipes to smoke after I recieved my smoker for Christmas. Now, my husband isn't the only one who cooks outside! Thanks McPeake, for the smoky enlightment you offered. I have to ask though, what do you do besides try out your recipes? It seems like you have made a lifestyle of this. To us amateurs, this is truly a professional recipe book with down -to- earth reicpes. I especially liked the Dr Pepper recipe!