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Someone finally said it: some "cookbooks" are just getting too preachy.
It used to be the case that cookbooks just had recipes - in other words, they were for cooking, plain and simple. Those books were pretty dry, though, and slowly people discovered that cookbooks with a bit of text, a bit or personality were much more interesting to read through. Gradually, more stories and text were added to many books, a trend which encouraged people to cook by answering the question of why people should cook - like dads or teens, who might not otherwise turn to a book like the Joy of Cooking.
But some books are taking this a step too far and telling readers why they should radically alter the way they eat - sort of like a self-help book with recipes. Of course, unlike a self-help book, they seem to use alarmism to try and convert the reader, rather than affirmation. Seattle PI Food Editor Hsiao-Ching Chou cites Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen and The Ethical Gourmet: How to Enjoy Great Food That Is Humanely Raised, Sustainable, Nonendangered, and That Replenishes the Earth as examples and notes that, while nothing is necessarily wrong with their message, trying to disguise them as something other than what they are - manifestos - is a bit misleading, recipes or no.
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6-10-2006 @7:33PM Franz Hemingbeck said... Considering these books are pitched at common middle class folk in flyover country who seem to be ignorant of the food issues of this world, I think these cookbooks are a great idea.
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6-10-2006 @10:39PM Mike said... If one were to buy a book called "The Ethical Gourmet: How to Enjoy Great Food That Is Humanely Raised, Sustainable, Nonendangered, and That Replenishes the Earth," one would be deluded to the point of foolishness if one were to feel hoodwinked in discovering that said book contained negative information about the current state of agrobusiness. This is news how?
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6-10-2006 @11:47PM Angela Pitt said... With a title and description of the cookbook that
long-winded, I'd lose my appetite just reading it.
What happened to cooking for the pleasure of it?
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6-11-2006 @12:01AM Sir Not Appearing in this Blog said... Speaking as one of the unwashed masses from "flyover country" I'd like to apologise for being so crass before I tell you to take your snotty attitude and cram it with walnuts, Franz.
Sadly, even though I've taken up residence in Los Angeles, my low-class hayseed mind just can't comprehend all the miracles and wonders I see every day-buildings more than three stories tall? It's the debbil's work I tells ya!-much less your snarky hipster condescension so it's not really worth your time to reply. I probably wouldn't be able to understand I was being insulted anyway.
YOU on the other hand are obviously possessed of an intellect of surpassing quality and capacity, which means you will understand me perfectly when I return your favour:
Smug, self-important and drenched with liberal white guilt you sit in your barely affordable crackerbox in whatever part of New York you've found yourself passing judgement on people who have found things to do with their lives. People who believe in right and wrong, people who find satisfaction in things like community, church and children. Things people like you cannot and willingly DO not comprehend because you are sad and small and lost in your own self-important life.
Have a REALLY pleasent week now, y'hear?
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6-11-2006 @7:15AM Roland said... These types of books aren't intended to teach, only to reinforce the beliefs of bigots like Franz.
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6-11-2006 @9:02AM Hawk said... I don't see much of a problem. "My Book: Read What I Have To Say Because You Seem Interested In It."
It's not like The Joy Of Cooking has abruptly become, "Eat Vegan Or You Are Killing Cute Fluffy Kittens!"
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6-11-2006 @10:01AM Franz Hemingbeck said... Obviously common folk who drive gas guzzling SUVs, rear mouth breathing children whose minds have been melted by video games and crap television, and who buy their genetically modified "food" at Safeway and cut it into pleasing shapes for their brood to choke down are obviously not the target market for these tomes.
It is horrifying to know that you are the same people who blow off warnings about the dire state of the environment, the Big Brother nature of our government, and the hollowness of your consumerist lives.
The food we eat and how it is generated has an effect on this planet. Obviously you flyover bumpkins care nothing about this planet.
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6-11-2006 @11:05AM Sir Not Appearing in this Blog said... Then suck on this, Franz, and I hope it gives you night terrors for the rest of your puny, pointless life: there are more of US than there are of YOU. :)
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6-11-2006 @11:39AM Becki said... Doesn't anyone else reading this find Franz's comments sickening? What a self-righteous snob.
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