Reviews Cooking, Food And Wine Book

Product Details

Amazon.com Review
Truly a chef-as-star cookbook, Bobby Flay's Bobby Flay's Boy Meets Grill features 26 photos of the man himself (not counting hand shots and various belt buckles). His name, either as Bobby Flay or Bobby Flay's, is repeated over 260 times within 274 pages. No reader will ever doubt just whose cookbook lies open on the kitchen counter with 125 "bold new" recipes.

Though there's the unspoken suggestion that Bobby Flay invented fire, Bobby Flay's Boy Meets Grill actually follows in a long tradition of outdoor cookery books, starting with James Beard's take on the subject, the many contributions of Chris Schlesinger and John Willoughby, who truly opened wide the door to modern grilling, Phillip Stephen Schulz's Cooking with Fire and Smoke, and the remarkable Barbecue! Bible put together by Steven Raichlen that takes grilling global--to name just a few.

But Bobby Flay does have flair and he does have enthusiasm, and both show up on every page. In chapters that cover everything grillable--from burgers (they may be turkey, they may be tuna) to poultry to meat, vegetables, and fruit--Flay pushes hard on combinations of colors and textures, spices and flavors sure to excite the sleepiest palate on the beach. Check out a standard like Butterflied Chicken with Lemon, Garlic, and Basil, or something a little more exotic like Whole Lobster Smothered in Cascabel Chile Butter. What is the thought of Grilled Pork Loin Sandwiches with Spicy Mango Ketchup doing to your taste buds right about now?

The main caveat for these recipes: all are written to serve eight. And be sure to use common sense instead of some of the directions, such as cooking chopped garlic and shallots until soft in "almost smoking" hot oil, for four to five minutes. Hello. Where does soft stop and incinerated begin? --Schuyler Ingle

From Publishers Weekly
Flay's third book is a must read for those who have wondered how this successful restaurateur and cable TV's maestro of marinade can so assuredly choose gas over charcoal when it comes to his biggest passion, grilling. He prefaces his recipes with an anecdote, an ugly day of barbecuing from his early years, the emotional bruise of which makes his choice for gas understandable. Thus, Flay fires up the propane and presents more than 125 patio-friendly concoctions that show off the chef's fearlessness, originality and eye for color. The good idea behind the book is to invigorate the simple tastes of youth with flavors that appeal to the adult palette. Corn on the cob gets rubbed with Red Chile-Green Onion Butter, and pork chops take a soak in a mixture of orange juice, ginger and toasted paprika. Whether it's fowl, fish, pork or potato that's being seared, Flay's brilliance with toppings and side salads make the dish. Witness his Rib-Eye with Chimichurri Marinade and Dried Chile Mustard Sauce or the Tuna Steak paired with a Fig and Nectarine Relish. Still, as delightfully wild as the menu gets, the ingredient list rarely strays from what's available in your local grocery or farmers' market. And the very nature of the cooking style, outdoors with a Cactus Pear Margarita in hand, guarantees a simplicity that will appeal to cooks of both lava rock and briquette persuasions.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Flay's approach to barbecue takes him in a decidedly contemporary direction and puts him at the forefront of America's modern masters of the grill. His marinades and sauces generally reflect today's concern for lighter eating without any sacrifice of flavor, and they rely on both fresh herbs and exotic spices. Incendiary peppers, such as the Scotch bonnet, pack a wallop that contrasts with unctuous lemon butter. Fresh fruit-based salsas add piquancy without additional fat. Flay's expertise at vegetable grilling shines through in his radicchio salad. Traditionalists put off by such novelties may settle for a giant cheeseburger with grilled onions. Desserts pacify with plenty of sweetness, one combining elements of both banana and coconut cream pies with white chocolate. Flay's popular television series will enhance demand for this title. Mark Knoblauch

Customer Reviews

Great Cookbook!
My husband loves to cook and grill and this is by far one of his favorite and most practical cookbooks.

great recipes and fun to read!
This is my son's favorite tv chef; I bought this for him for his birthday, and right away made several recipes, that all worked perfectly (often they do not!) The flavors were interesting and the directions clear and helpful. The desserts are fabulous too, especially the ice cream sundae frozen pie; I've already made it twice. The cookbook is a fun read and the recipes delicious! My family loves grilled food and bobby flay just makes it more interesting with his combination of flavors and unusual food pairings.

Awesome grilling
Bobby Flay has great recipes, ideas and techniques for grilling. This book is great and will take a long time to use them all.