These Bizarre Cookbooks Are Sure To Surprise You

Offbeat cookbooks everyone should read

From weird and wonderful collections to downright bonkers and baffling recipes (roadkill for dinner, anyone?), these eclectic cooking titles prove there really is a book for everyone. Dig in.

The Astronaut's Cookbook by Charles T. Bourland & Gregory L. Vogt

Ever wondered what it might be like to eat in space? You can try it for yourself thanks to The Astronaut’s Cookbook: Tales, Recipes, and More, co-authored by Charles T. Bourland, a former director of the NASA space-food program and Gregory L. Vogt, a one-time NASA education specialist. Bringing "space food" to the masses, this 232-paged title boasts all manner of recipes that have been modified for preparation in a "normal kitchen", whatever normal may be to you. Be sure to try the Skylab Butter Cookies.

The Pyromaniac's Cookbook by John J. Poister

Fire-starters, rejoice. This heated collection of recipes will help you take your cooking to the next level. From "Cooking with flare: how to set fire to almost anything that will burn" to "How to fire up the party", chapters comprehensively explore how to set your food alight – literally. The faint-hearted needn’t be put off either. The Pyromaniac’s Cookbook: The Best In Flaming Food And Drink also includes tamer recipes for novices, such as flaming coffees to more straightforward flambé desserts.

Save Florida, Eat An Iguana: The Iguana Cookbook by George Cera

With its punchy title and curious cover, this cookbook demands attention. According to the book, pesky iguanas are responsible for destroying some of Florida’s key wildlife, so author George Cera came up with Save Florida, Eat An Iguana: The Iguana Cookbook, to advise on how to cook these troublesome lizards, which apparently taste like chicken.

The Karl Lagerfeld Diet by Karl Lagerfeld & Jean-Claude Houdret

Promising 120 "gourmet" recipes, plus Lagerfeld’s personal tips for staying fit, healthy and attractive, The Karl Lagerfeld Diet tells the story of how the eminent fashion designer lost 80lbs in just 13 months. There are also chapters on skin procedures and cosmetic treatments, depending on just how much you want to look like Karl Largerfeld.

The Original Roadkill Cookbook by B. R. "Buck" Peterson

From Chili Con Carnage to Bangered And Mashed, there’s no shortage of frugal and savvy recipes in writer Buck Peterson’s The Original Roadkill Cookbook. Note the "original" in the title of this meaty release – yes, roadkill cookbooks really are a thing.

From Crook To Cook by Snoop Dogg

Grab a gin and juice and tie those apron strings pronto: the D-O-double-G is back with 50 recipes ‘straight from his own collection’. From Crook To Cook: Platinum Recipes From Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen covers everything from ‘remixes on upper echelon fare such as Lobster Thermidor and Filet Mignon’ to everyday essentials such as Soft Flour Tacos and Easy Orange Chicken and, of course, some late-night munchies. For dessert, look out for the chart-topping Bow Wow Brownies and Ice Cream. Ooh-wee!

Fifty Shades of Chicken by F. L. Fowler

Find out what happens when a "young free-range chicken" falls into the hands of "a mysterious, domineering chef" in this bare-all cookbook. In Fifty Shades of Chicken: A Parody In A Cookbook, author F. L. Fowler seductively weaves a narrative with 50 finger-licking good recipes, from Roast Chicken with Brandy-vanilla Butter to Chile-lashed Fricassee.

The Unofficial Harry Potter Wizard’s Cookbook by Cook Nation

Don’t let being a mere muggle hold you back you from cooking like a wizard, says The Unofficial Harry Potter Wizard’s Cookbook: Magical Meals & Fantasy Food Inspired By The World of Hogwarts. “You could use your magic wand to help with the preparation,” the book explains, “but the real creative work is down to you”. Conjure up recipes from Leek-y Cauldron Couscous to Buckbeak's Breakfast Buns.

WWE: The Official Cookbook by Insight Editions

WWE: The Official Cookbook is packed with hard-hitting recipes, from The Rock's Jabroni Macaroni Salad to Macho Man's Savage Nachos. With this book in your arsenal, you’re guaranteed to be the heavyweight cooking champ of the world no time.

Last Dinner On The Titanic by Rick Archbold & Dana McCauley

Many historians have tried to determine what happened on that fated final evening aboard the Titanic, including what was served for dinner. Thanks to Last Dinner On The Titanic: Menus And Recipes From The Great Liner you can recreate the dishes for yourself, from Lobster Thermidor to Chocolate Painted Eclairs. Archive photos and anecdotes are served up alongside the recipes.

Discover more about what passengers ate on the Titanic here.

Cookin' with Coolio by Coolio

Who wouldn’t want to learn how to cook like Coolio? Now a decade old, Cookin’ with Coolio is your go-to guide if you’re looking to elevate simple ingredients into culinary masterpieces. Cooking "Ghetto Gourmet" cuisine couldn’t be easier, says the book jacket: “All you need is a little bit of food, and a little bit of know-how." The 224-page volume covers all manner of cuisines, including “Ghettalian” (that’s Ghetto Italian), as well as recipes such as Banana Ba-ba-ba-bread.

Microwave Cooking For One by Marie T. Smith

Don’t be put off by the bleak-sounding title. If the cover of Microwave Cooking For One is anything to go by, you’ll be cooking a whole banquet of instant food faster than you can say the word “ping”. Covering everything from breakfast through to dinner, and from pies to puddings, this culinary classic will keep you and your mini oven busy: there are 300 recipes to get through.

The Dracula Cookbook by Marina Polvay

Think you know Dracula? Think again. Turns out this legendary vamp had a penchant for traditional Hungarian, Romanian and Slavic recipes, not just for blood. The Dracula Cookbook: Authentic Recipes From The Homeland Of Count Dracula will bring you right up to speed with his favorite foods, should you ever end up in his lair. Word of warning: double up on the garlic, just in case.

The HP Sauce Cookbook by Paul Hartley

Proving that HP sauce is far more than just a condiment, The HP Sauce Cookbook brings what would otherwise be an afterthought ingredient to the fore. Dishes include "casseroles with clout" and a "brown Bloody Mary", plus a whole host of gravies, sauces and marinades. The book is also seasoned with pieces of HP trivia, so you can swot up on this ingredient’s colorful history and impress your dinner guests too.

From Soup to Nuts: The Cannibal Lover's Cookbook by Jon Macks

If you’re looking for a new diet, The Cannibal Lover’s Cookbook promises a “joyous look at the entire cannibal lifestyle”, as told by the cannibalistic character of Omnivorous. A tongue-in-cheek masterclass in becoming a fine young cannibal, this is (apparently) a book for everyone. “Whether you're a long-time muncher or a novice with just a few friends under your belt, Omnivorous is here to show you the way,” it reads. Go ahead, eat your heart out!

Bugs For Beginners by Michela Dai Zovi

Interested in entomophagy? Feeling greedy for grub? Bugs For Beginners: The Most Complete Guide To Teach You How To Cook Insects is the cookbook for you. This comprehensive guide is bursting with 75 insect-focused recipes, from Kentucky Fried Crickets to Waxworm Ramen, all accompanied by "gorgeous color photography". Yum.

Pâté: The New Main Course For The '80s by Carol Cutler

There’s nothing like a retro cookbook to set your taste buds alight, and this Eighties classic promises a meat feast. Work your way through the 242 pages of Pȃté: The New Main Course For The '80s, with recipes for everything from Chicken-liver Pâté to Vegetable Terrine, and you’ll be hooked.

World Of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel

Whether you’re an apprentice cook, accomplished chef, druid or orc, World Of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook will have you cooking meals fit for a warchief in no time. Recipes include Goblin Shortbread and Muglore Spice Bread, plus other fantasy-inspired foods.

The Breaking Bad Cookbook by Chris Mitchell

The Breaking Bad Cookbook is a must-have for any fans of the hit TV series. Detailing how to cook everything from the Whites' celebrated cooked breakfast, to Gus Fring's Los Pollos Hermanos fried chicken, it's the perfect gift for any Walter White wannabes.

Cooking Apicius: Roman Recipes for Today by Sally Grainger

Step aside, pasta and pizza. In Cooking Apicius: Roman Recipes For Today, author Sally Grainger has painstakingly translated 64 Roman delights into modern-day recipes. Interpretations include fermented fish sauce and lark’s tongues, as well as more 'mainstream' concoctions such as duck with turnip, roast lamb with cilantro and carrots or parsnips in a cumin-honey glaze. Hail, Caesar!

The Ballykissangel Cookbook by Aidan Dempsey

Relive this Nineties Irish TV series with The Ballykissangel Cookbook: Irish Recipes From Ballykissangel Country. Featuring traditional and modern Irish recipes, it’s compiled by Aidan Dempsey, owner and cook at The Old Coach House restaurant in the Vale of Avoca (the setting for Ballykissangel). On top of recipes, you’ll also find anecdotes from Aidan and local producers, plus plenty of Irish charm.

Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes by Roald Dahl

Because every die-hard Roald Dahl fan wants to know how to cook Lickable Wallpaper, Stinkbug Eggs and Eatable Pillows, right? Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes will help you to re-create all of the weird and wonderful recipes from classics such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach. Now, pass us that snozzcumber…

The Walking Dead: The Official Cookbook and Survival Guide by Lauren Wilson

If your cookbook collection is missing a "what to cook in the event of an apocalypse" title, try this one for size. On top of detailing how to survive an apocalypse and avoid being eaten in the process, The Walking Dead: The Official Cookbook and Survival Guide also contains expert advice on foraging, hunting wild game and outdoor cooking. Look out for recipes from the hit TV series including Carl’s Pudding and Hershel’s Spaghetti too.

Stoner Mug Cakes by Dane Noon

Mug cakes are a great entry point for novice cooks or the impatient: simply pop the ingredients in the microwave and voilà. The 25 recipes in Stoner Mug Cakes, such as the Jammy Sandwich or the the Blueberry Haze, are apparently so straightforward that even 'a stoner can do it'. Just the thing if you’re looking to get your bake on.

Special Effects Cookbook by Michael E. Samonek

The Special Effects Cookbook is for anyone looking to cook “safe and easy recipes for food that erupts, moves, sings, glows, talks, snaps, crackles, pops and swims”. With recipes such as Green Dragon’s Breath Cake, Beating Heart Cake and Glow In The Dark Gelatin, this is guaranteed to be a treat for kids and adults alike. We particularly like the sound of Monster in the Pop Corn, which involves attaching a small wind-up toy to the bottom of the popcorn bowl. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Odd Bits: How To Cook The Rest Of The Animal by Jennifer McLagan

Odd Bits: How To Cook The Rest Of The Animal is a warts-and-all guide to nose-to-tail cooking – think brains, cheeks, gizzards, trotters and even testicles. Recipes to look out for include Headcheese for the Unconvinced and Bone Marrow and Mushroom Custard. This is definitely not one for the squeamish.

Manifold Destiny Cookbook by Chris Maynard & Bill Scheller

Street food takes on a whole new dimension in this 2008 title. In Manifold Destiny Cookbook: The One! The Only! Guide To Cooking On Your Car Engine! you’ll find 147 pages of car-engine gastronomy, whether that’s Bonnet-smoked S’mores or Hood-poached Fish. It's a must-read for anyone looking to burn more than just rubber.

Spam The Cookbook by Marguerite Pattern

With upwards of 100 million cans of SPAM sold in the US alone each year, it’s hardly surprising there’s a whole recipe book dedicated to this tinned delight. From SPAM fritters to SPAM in port wine, canned meat lovers worldwide will revel in these creative recipes and fun facts. Rest assured, Spam The Cookbook does exactly what it says on the tin.

Star Trek Cookbook by Ethan Phillips & William J. Birnes

It’s cooking Jim, but not as we know it. “Is there one food that humans, Klingons, Bajorans and Vulcans would like? If so, what would it taste like? How would you prepare it? Could you find all the ingredients locally?” asks the back page of this 320-page cookbook, released at the turn of the millennium. Written by Ethan Phillips, AKA Neelix in Star Trek, the Star Trek Cookbook includes recipes such as Vulcan Mocha Ice Cream, and is guaranteed to be a stellar read.

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