10 SciFi/Fantasy/Gaming Cookbooks

This post first appeared in the Roswell Daily Record…

Time for my annual post on cookbooks related to science fiction, fantasy and games! Fun to try out during the holiday season or to give as gifts.

As a holdover from Halloween here’s The Horror Movie Night Cookbook: 60 Deliciously Deadly Recipes Inspired by Iconic Slashers, Zombie Films, Psychological Thrillers, Sci-Fi Spooks, and More (Includes Halloween, Psycho) by Richard S. Sargent and Nevyana Dimitrova. The book’s blurb offers: “Slay movie night with frighteningly delicious food and cocktail creations inspired by your favorite scary movies, perfect for fans of spooky season and movie buffs alike!” and a few of the recipes include “Crawling Steak (Poltergeist) Campfire Sour (The Blair Witch Project) Zombie Baby Kale Salad (Dawn of the Dead) Bloody Floaties (Jaws) Alligator Bites (Crawl) The Mama’s Boy Martini (Psycho) And more!”. Readers enjoyed the tongue in cheek attitude, the informative details and the drinking games. Amazon

Something fun for the kids on a break from school would be The Scooby-Doo! Cookbook: Kid-Friendly Recipes for the Whole Gang by Katrina Jorgensen. 75 recipes based on the cartoon show, including cheese-and-pickles pizza and the villain mask stacker surprise sandwich, plus fun facts about the show. Reviewers reported children and adults had fun making these simple dishes. Amazon

Who knew Netflix had a cookbook to accompany those long nights of streaming shows and movies? The Official Netflix Cookbook: 70 Recipes from Your TV to Your Table by Insight Editions and Jennifer Garner (Foreword). The recipes are grouped according to Netflix viewing categories and there are appetizers, meals and desserts. Amazon

For fans of the Addams Family there’s The Official Wednesday Cookbook: The Woefully Weird Recipes of Nevermore Academy by Mari Mancusi and Jarrett Melendez. As the book’s blurb states: “Re-create macabre meals from Nevermore Academy in the comfort of your own oh-so-normal kitchen with sixty recipes inspired by the hit series Wednesday. You are cordially invited to enter the wrought-iron gates of the Nevermore Academy to discover its darkest culinary delights. These sixty remarkable recipes from our illustrious and historic community offer something for everyone, whether you crave meat like a werewolf or grapple with special culinary requirements (like an allergy to food with any color in it).” I might try Wednesday’s Woeful Waffles, which are black or Enid’s Rainbow Sprinkled Everything, depending on my mood. Amazon

From the world of gaming comes Minecraft: Gather, Cook, Eat! Official Cookbook by Tara Theoharis offering “Discover 40+ recipes like Mooshroom Burgers, Suspicious Stew, and The Cake! Featuring recipes that are ideal for every skill level (and player type), this cookbook is just what you need to bring a touch of Minecraft into your kitchen. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to gather, cook, and eat! Building can be hungry work…” The dishes are inspired by biomes, fan favorite creatures and other items found in the game. It should be noted that recipes for in-game foods aside from The Cake are not given but reviewers were enthusiastic about the dishes inspired by Minecraft. Amazon

Still in a gaming mood, check out newly released Guild Wars 2: Feasts of Tyria: Recipes from Kryta to Elona by Victoria Rosenthal and Erin Kwong. The book’s blurb promises a culinary travelogue: “Adventure with Sous-Chef Oxbone as he chronicles the best recipes on the map while traveling through the ruins of Ascalon, the dry lands of Maguuma Wastes, the cold mountains of Shiverpeaks, and many more iconic locations. Every destination has its lore, and every dish has its story—from Lake Doric Mussels and Ascalonian Salad to Carne Khan Chili and Bloodstone Bearclaw Pastries.” Reviewers appreciated the recipes for in-game food, the clear directions and the canon and lore sprinkled throughout the pages. Amazon

Starfield: The Official Cookbook: Recipes From Across the Galaxy by Cassandra Reeder and Jim Festante encompasses both the world of gaming and science fiction. The blurb offers: “No matter how far you wander, good food can make the coldest reaches of space feel like home. Join fellow travelers on an epic culinary journey, sampling foods both alien and familiar. With recipes inspired by the in-game cuisines, from Neon to New Atlantis and beyond —like Midnight Delight, Stellar Kabobs, Can-Uck! Treats and more—this beautifully photographed culinary adventure brings the tastes of the Starfield universe right to your table. With straightforward instructions and clear guidance, these meals are perfect for chefs of all skill levels—whether or not gastronomy, scavenging, and dueling are among your three starter skills.” Crispy alien nuggets, Thousand Planets Dressing and items called chunks caught my eye. There are also beverages. Amazon

For a really sweet set of holiday recipes, there’s The Unofficial Elf Cookbook: From Buddy’s Breakfast Spaghetti to the “World’s Best Cup of Coffee,” Tasty Treats Inspired by a Holiday Classic (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series) by Bryton Taylor. There are 75 recipes ranging from appetizers to main dishes to desserts, and including drinks. I stopped at “Buddy’s Breakfast Spaghetti: Because nothing says breakfast to an elf like spaghetti topped with fudge sauce, candy, and Pop-Tarts!”. The Mailroom Mail Fudge Mochas sounded good too. Amazon

I always like to include a new Star Wars cookbook if I can and here is A Taste of Star Wars: Snacks: Bite-Size Recipes in a Snack-Size Book by Insight Editions. It’s important to note the book itself is literally small in physical size. The recipes included are described as: “Twenty-six scrumptious snacks will take your taste buds on a mini tour of the galaxy from Bespin to Mon Cala to Endor and more, visiting beloved characters such as Grogu, Darth Maul, and Ahsoka along the way. Celebrate Life Day over Wookiee-Ookiees, pay tribute to Darth Vader with some hot Mustafarian Lava Buns, fuel up for your next mission with Omega’s Popcorn Mix, and so many more tasty treasures from a galaxy far, far away..” Amazon

As a huge Lord of the Rings fan I also like to include something from that world so here’s The Unofficial Lord of the Rings Cookbook: From Hobbiton to Mordor, Over 60 Recipes from the World of Middle-Earth by Tom Grimm. The book includes “over 60 recipes for Breakfast, Second Breakfast, Elevenses, Luncheon, Afternoon Tea, Dinner, Supper, and Drinks. Fans will enjoy this cookbook’s multitude of easy-to-follow recipes and stunning photography, transporting them into the world of Tolkien’s fantasy adventure.” Reviewers appreciated the photographs and the Tolkien-themed lore and information included along with the recipes like Elvish Bread and Old Winyard’s Mulled Wine. Amazon