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Manifold Destiny: The One! The Only! Guide to Cooking on Your Car Engine! Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 188 ratings


Giving new meaning to the term "fast food"

Rest-stop grade F meat patty? Nah. Nuggets of reconstituted poultry bits? Pass. Deep-fried fish discus? No, really, thanks all the same.

It's time to bid farewell to the roadside meal as you know it. Nearly twenty years ago, Chris Maynard and Bill Scheller opened the world's eyes to the beautym of car-engine gastronomy in the original
Manifold Destiny. And now that another generation of both drivers and eaters has emerged, the cult classic is due for an overhaul. In this shiny, spanking-new edition, learn how to make s'mores in your Scion, poach fish in your Pontiac, even bust out a gourmet snack from under the hood of your Escalade.

With step-by-step diagrams, crowd-pleasing recipes, and thorough instructions, now you can turn your car into a kitchen without ever crossing any golden arches. Hilarious, bizarre, and ultimately (seriously!) useful,
Manifold Destiny is and always will be an unparalleled original. So, slap a ham steak under the hood of your car, hit the gas, and drive until you reach delicious -- which is in approximately fifty miles, depending on traffic.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Feeling a mite peckish on those long road trips? Pack along this humorous cookbook and whip up Cajun-style shrimp in your car or recreational vehicle. All you need are shrimp, pork fat, "whatever 'Cajun' seasonings you've seen advertised," a set of wheels and someplace to go. Cook on a medium-hot part of the engine for about 55 miles. If that's too much work, pick up several stuffed peppers (preferably from a backwater North Jersey Italian deli), wrap them in foil and pop under the hood. Maynard, a photographer, and Scheller, a travel writer, are as adept at roasting trendy cookery as they are at warming pastrami sandwiches while they drive an auto rally. They teach drivers to view their vehicles in a new way, locating cooking surfaces via the "burn your finger" method of temperature verification. They may even change the way people select new cars: the Chevrolet Celebrity GL offers six servings, while the Camry has only three but sports a bun warmer, a feature seldom mentioned in Toyota ads. The authors sober up to serve a clear warning: carelessness under the hood can be dangerous to car and driver. Illustrations not seen by PW. Author tour.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"[A] witty, informative paperback by Chris Maynard and Bill Scheller, a couple of fun-and-food-loving guys who first published in 1989 to let chefs and chauffeurs know they can cook up a right smart snack or meal using the heat of the engine while driving on a reasonably long trip." -- Chicago Tribune

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001FA0WAW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster; Revised, Updated ed. edition (November 14, 2008)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 14, 2008
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 994 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 162 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1416596232
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 188 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
188 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book fun, delightful, and a crowd-pleaser. They also describe the humor as witty, charming, and informative. Readers appreciate the great recipes and say it's a great gift for motoring enthusiasts. They mention the information is useful and works.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

17 customers mention "Fun to read"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fun, delightful, and a quick read. They say it's awesome and a crowd-pleaser.

"...it is great and especially fun if you have any nostalgia for old cars plus a familiarity with regional character around the US...." Read more

"I loved this book, informative and entertaining. And edible says my puppies...." Read more

"...This is the funniest cookbook I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Who knew you would set the time of your dish by the miles between places?" Read more

"What a fun cookbook! Awesome for men, women like it too. Very fun and a great gift. Fast shipping makes it a great last minute gift...." Read more

8 customers mention "Humor"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the humor in the book witty, charming, and informative.

"...Sure promises to be better than frozen burritos.I loved the irreverent humor the authors are so good at...." Read more

"An interesting blend of humor, practicality and information...." Read more

"This book is written with humor along with ACTUAL recipes ie;IMPRESSA VEAL IMPREZZA = cooking time is listed as 30 to 50 miles...." Read more

"...The humor makes it a good read and not "just" a cookbook." Read more

7 customers mention "Recipes"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the recipes in the book great and tasty.

"...The recipes are also great!Also, one can prepare these tasty recipes in a conventional manner also, if the car is not available!" Read more

"...engine in the past (it worked great) but this book suggests good, tasty meals and not just Hobo Stew...." Read more

"Good recipes" Read more

"Contains some interesting recipes for cooking on your car's manifold. I gave it as a gift to a relative who gave ME a "Road Kill Cookbook"." Read more

6 customers mention "Gift value"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a great gift for motoring enthusiasts. They also mention they use it as campy prizes for road rallies.

"...Awesome for men, women like it too. Very fun and a great gift. Fast shipping makes it a great last minute gift...." Read more

"Fun gift for the motoring enthusiast. We use them as campy prizes for road rallies." Read more

"...It is a classic. Also great gift for the gourmet-with-s-sense-f-humour in your life!" Read more

"great gift for friends that happen to be foodies, or that home chief that already owns every other cookbook in print." Read more

5 customers mention "Information quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting, practical, and useful. They say it's entertaining and really works.

"I loved this book, informative and entertaining. And edible says my puppies...." Read more

"An interesting blend of humor, practicality and information...." Read more

"Love this book and it really works...." Read more

"humorous, witty, charming, informative and delicious. Haven't tried any of the recipes yet, but the physics involved are sound." Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive0 negative

Customers say the book is well worth the price.

"...The book is worth every penny!" Read more

"...I purchased it as novelty because it was inexpensive. Yea it could be practical, but I'm in no hurry for the lifestyle change that would make it so" Read more

"...It's well worth the price, if for nothing else than a conversation piece. I purchased three extras as gifts and all recipients loved them...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2024
I love the idea of cooking with the engine. Avid off roader, itching to see where I can stash good to cook on the inline 6-cyl in my Jeep.
Sure promises to be better than frozen burritos.
I loved the irreverent humor the authors are so good at. And though they recommend not flipping a vehicle to access the catalytic converter, stranger things have happened on the trail!
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2016
One of the few books in recent years that has rendered me laughing out loud uncontrollably! it is great and especially fun if you have any nostalgia for old cars plus a familiarity with regional character around the US. (Right up there with Red Green and Garrison Keillor in my reality.) These guys actually approached the subject quite scientifically--well, in a way any engineer or mechanic would appreciate although there is no need to have any technical background to appreciate their sense of fun. BTW, I am 65+ female, so not your typical target audience. The book is worth every penny!
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2020
I loved this book, informative and entertaining. And edible says my puppies. Luckily they only ate the cover and first two and a half chapters and luckily I had already read past chapter three.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2012
I had heard an interview on NPR with the author and decided I needed to read this book. It is so much fun I have now ordered several copies. My nephew, who rebuilds old cars, was the first to receive a copy from me. He loved it too.
The next copy went to a friend who had just purchased a truck to carry equipment across country. So, of course, he had to have a copy. What truck would be complete without a copy of this in the glovebox next to the owners mannual?
This is the funniest cookbook I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Who knew you would set the time of your dish by the miles between places?
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2016
Different. Will have to think about doing anything suggested in the book. I would not want grease on my car engine.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2016
An interesting blend of humor, practicality and information. I have always been intrigued with alternate methods of cooking and the idea of actually cooking a meal while en route to a destination was irresistible. I was a little disappointed that most of the recipes took under two hours to cook. I was hoping for some that would be useful on longer drives. Not having attempted any, I have no way of knowing if they would work. The info and instructions as well as the cautionary statements are encouraging and I do plan to cook dinner next time I drive to my mom's.
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2011
What a fun cookbook! Awesome for men, women like it too. Very fun and a great gift. Fast shipping makes it a great last minute gift. Got it for my brother-in-law that cooks hotdogs on his engine and it was the hit of the party. We are planning to cook shrimp on the engine at the next gathering. Love that it talks in miles and not minutes.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2016
This is the neatest book I have ever read. My Friend is a gourmet book and she also thought it was great.
I am now really sorry I sold my Chevy van years ago which had a in-line six cylinder engine! (The Engine's Configuration Would Have Been Perfect)
The book does a great job in regards to preparing & positioning the food under the hood. The recipes are also great!
Also, one can prepare these tasty recipes in a conventional manner also, if the car is not available!
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Steve S. Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on September 18, 2015
An absolutely hilarious and amazingly creative book on manifold cooking!
ALESSANDRO ANNULLI
3.0 out of 5 stars Manifold Destiny
Reviewed in Italy on January 10, 2014
È risultato assolutamente in linea con le aspettative. Si tratta di un buon prodotto. Non c'è stato nulla da eccepire.
Ali Bongo
5.0 out of 5 stars It's not how long it's how far !
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2013
A great place to start if you are thinking of cooking on your car engine
Beats the Little Chef hands down on those long journeys, old cars work better because the engines & exhausts are exposed and the space behind the radiator makes a great place to warm your plates up before serving
All I need to do now is install a rack to the front of my car to keep my Chablis cool.

Bon appetite !
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars He said it looks great and that he can’t wait to try some of ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2018
Bought as a present for my dad who drives a large motor home. He said it looks great and that he can’t wait to try some of the ideas.
Naomi K
5.0 out of 5 stars another fabulous and inspired book from the co-author of *The ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 24, 2016
another fabulous and inspired book from the co-author of *The Bad-For-You Cookbook* - this time, being very sensible and eco-minded, and working out numerous tasty ways of utilising the heat from the car engine! Why not??

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