Al Roker seems like a friendly, easy-going guy and that sense carries into his book, Al Roker's Big Bad Book of Barbecue. A lot of Al's writing focuses on family (and fatherhood) and this book continues that trend. Though not explicitly a "family" book, it is definitely family-friendly, with easy recipes that don't take a huge amount of time to prepare and relatively simply flavors. I flipped though the book this weekend at Whole Foods, where it was on display, and found myself smiling at some of Roker's funny (and occasionally silly) descriptions and anecdotes. He's not an "expert" on barbecuing, but he is an experienced home chef and enthusiastic one at that. It's refreshing to cook with someone who doesn't seem to take himself too seriously.
Recipes like Grilled Chicken Satay and Salmon with Asian Marinade looked appealing, as did some of the salad and dessert suggestions, like the Caesar Salad with Grilled Croutons and Berry Shortcake with Vanilla Whipped Cream. There are plenty of basic sauces and rubs to spice up your steak or chicken, too.
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