I’ll be honest, I wasn’t going to write another cookbook review. I’ve been feeling like there were few new books that really interested me and the older titles everyone already knows about. But, as I was shelving New Books, this caught my eye: “Goon With the Spoon.” I have looked at Snoop’s other cookbook, “From Crook to Cook” (it was also surprisingly well done), but when I saw E-40 was also involved, I was sold; I listened to E-40’s “In A Major Way” a BUNCH when it came out.
First of all, this is NOT a book for everyday eating. In the name of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, please do not eat like this every day. But, if you are throwing a party or, say, watching a football game, (You know, watching a good team, like the Packers. 😂) then, this is an excellent selection of rich, flavorful items with enough variety for nearly every taste. And, the recipes are legit — not many shortcuts like you tend to find in most pop culture cookbooks. Not to be left out: a wide variety of drinks for adults. Oh, and the photos!! Bold, deep, meaty colors with minimal gimmicks. Each photo highlights the dish and lends legitimacy to the book; paging through you don’t see it as a cookbook by two legendary rappers — you see this as a handbook to throw a great food party. Seriously, these are some of the best food pics I can remember seeing. (Ok, maybe not in the same class as the books by Michelin-starred chefs, but that’s just different.)
Quick plug for the Mount Westmore release, too. I listened to it while writing this. It’s like a Westside Connection album, but with a couple extra legends. (Read: if this was released in ‘98, it would be AMAZING. Now, it’s like when that one uncle gets to talking a bit too much about when they were young.)
Some of the best looking recipes from “Goon With the Spoon” include:
Cornbread Rice, pg 159; Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Mac ’n’ Cheese Bites, pg 62 (The cook in me recoils in horror, but the cheese addict in me says to get over it.); and Kickin’ Lickin’ Collard Greens, pg 153 (This one features what may be my favorite photo in the book!).
