Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁

Found on Bluesky, and thought I'd share here.

The Sad Bastard Cookbook: Food you can make so you don't die

From a co-author;

"I co-wrote a cookbook for depressed people and other folks with zero spoons, only knives. It's not meant to be gourmet cooking so much as a survival guide for late stage capitalism. And you can get it for free!"

Edit (2): It turns out both coauthors, @youseeatortoise and @zillanovikov, are here on Mastodon!

#Cookbooks

https://traumbooks.itch.io/the-sad-bastard-cookbook

The Sad Bastard Cookbook by tRaum Books

by Rachel A. Rosen and Zilla Novikov || Food you can make so you don't die.

itch.io
Aug 2, 2023 at 10:53pmWeb
Show threadNickAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict I'm particularly partial to Peanut Butter on a Spoon.
Show threadAdam CafollaAug 3, 2023

@linuxfiend @cardamomaddict

I can often be found in the kitchen having it's cousin, Nutella on a Spoon.

Show threadVirginicusAug 3, 2023
@linuxfiend @cardamomaddict But… this cookbook is for people who don’t have spoons.
Show threadHumperAug 3, 2023
@linuxfiend @cardamomaddict me2
Show thread@1chrisbrennan has movedAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict good cookbook for teens to learn basics & before heading off to fend for themselves
Show threadJodieMAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict @shlee what a perfect cookbook
Show threadlord pthenq1Aug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict
Thank you 
Show threadnikolawannabeAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict awesome. I personally wish it had more protein as these options are mostly death for a diabetic, but awesomely entertaining and lots of good ideas
Show threadName_Too_LongAug 3, 2023

@nikolawannabe @cardamomaddict
Get a sous vide.

Most people buy them to do fancy stuff with but they also make cooking steak, eggs, fish, chicken, etc. *SUUUPER* easy.

Just set the temp, drop it in, then go do something else for a while. No worries about overcooking as it just holds it at whatever temp you set. Maybe do a quick sear in a pan to finish... which is itself made easier since you won't have any "outside burned to a crisp before center is cooked" issues to worry about either.

Show threadCiggy Bringer of SmokeAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict Whole chapter dedicated to zazzing up crackers, I hope, I wish
Show threadZilla NovikovAug 3, 2023
@ciggysmokebringer @cardamomaddict but of course
Show threadDarshanAug 3, 2023

@cardamomaddict at page 30 there is the ultimate "broke Italian student food at the dormitory", that outside Italy sells as proper stuff :D

( also it misses the garlic, aglio means garlic )

Show threadMalka BethAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict thanks for sharing this gold, as the food items I can't eat just provide more nice jokes instead to read...and I'm definitely among those with extremely limited energy reserves!
Show threadrastilinAug 3, 2023

@cardamomaddict

Sounds super useful. I'm checking it out.

Show threadsnakeAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict ended up sending this to all my (also depressed) friends lol. really appreciate how its truly trying to keep it simple
Show threadLennieAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict This is brilliant.
Show thread'Spooky' JohnnyAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict This is also really great for folks with the particular ADHD flavor of "I've decided to cook something, but just remembered I haven't gone grocery shopping recently, but now I'm hungry" that I seem to possess.
Show threadFDA approved  lycheeAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict
LB: very informative, and I spent two hours reading this instead of sleeping
Show threadPlan A to YAug 3, 2023

@cardamomaddict this is exactly what I needed right now. Thank you.

Definitely going to make a trip to the store tomorrow to get supplies to try some of these

Show threadbimbo moomoo Aug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict Just checked it. Noticed most of the recipes are just outside of the energy and motivation I have for eating, so I won't be able to do any of it today. And yet it's the closest I've seen a cookbook be to what I can do in moments like this. I appreciate it. Thanks for sharing.
Show threadNoah GibbsAug 3, 2023

@cardamomaddict

This is a wonderful minimum-energy cookbook. Love the combination of solid advice and clear-eyed snark.

If you are in the UK and/or have a cabinet full of tins, also highly recommend The Tin Can Cook by Jack Monroe.

Similar energy to this cookbook. Surprisingly excellent recipes where you just dump some things out of tins into a pot and cook for 20-30 minutes.

Show threadJasmine Mangalaseril 🧁Aug 3, 2023
@codefolio Yes! Jack is fantastic. I do miss them and wish they were here.
Show threadIV NarcomanAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict actually sounds pretty good, wish I had this during preclinicals
Show threadmaloki 🍍Aug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict i sent this to my partner, so we can read it together. We're both often too drained to cook. 😅
Show threadmaloki 🍍Aug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict oh. I also read like 76 pages in one sitting. 🤔
Show threadZilla NovikovAug 3, 2023
@maloki @cardamomaddict the cookbook that reads like a novel
Show threadCorvusAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict Just what I was looking for.
Show threadundead enby of the apocalypseAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict this sounds like it might be pretty useful to me with my adhd and the executive dysfunction that results from that, will look at it once I have wifi and time, probably
Show threadZilla NovikovAug 3, 2023
@enby_of_the_apocalypse @cardamomaddict there's adhd in the team that put this cookbook together ...
Show threadundead enby of the apocalypseAug 3, 2023
@zillanovikov @cardamomaddict that’s good to hear, and it makes a lot of sense. Having trouble cooking because of executive dysfunction is a pretty common thing for us ADHDers afaik
Show threadPanopticolaAug 3, 2023

@enby_of_the_apocalypse @zillanovikov @cardamomaddict ADHD in the kitchen can be a big problem. I found a rationale for my kitchen coping techniques once I got a late diagnosis. Things like:

- time elastic recipes (no knead bread, dips, light pickling)
- clear containers in the fridge
- frequently used items on open shelves or hanging over counters
- timers scattered around
- designated and negotiated locations for tools
- storage for stuff you don't want to run out of
- easy reliable lists

Sure everyone can benefit from those but my kitchen can go to shit without them.

Show threadundead enby of the apocalypseAug 4, 2023
@zillanovikov @Panopticola @cardamomaddict I try to use as many things that have a long shelf life as possible and avoid things that have a short shelf life, because that way I can just buy a lot of them and then will always have some of them there, and I don’t have to worry about them spoiling if I don’t find the spoons to cook much for some time, but still, it’s hard.
Show threadundead enby of the apocalypseAug 4, 2023
@zillanovikov @Panopticola @cardamomaddict I also tend to have trouble with cleaning everything up, once I’m done cooking and eating I often don’t have the energy any more so I end up avoiding cooking sometimes because I know I won’t be able to do the dishes after. I guess I’m lucky that I have access to uni cafeterias being a uni student, without them life would be so much harder as I’d have to cook every day.
Show threadZilla NovikovAug 4, 2023
@enby_of_the_apocalypse @Panopticola @cardamomaddict it's okay to cook in disposable containers and eat with disposable cutlery. If you can't clean up--then you don't have to. It's also okay to eat stuff straight out of the container so you don't get any dishes dirty.
Show threadSinnamon (despicable arc 😈)Aug 4, 2023
@enby_of_the_apocalypse @zillanovikov @Panopticola @cardamomaddict I've created (and work for keeping it) the habit of cleaning as I cook. If the meal requires some steps (eg: pouring sauce on cooked pasta or preparing a side salad on grilled stuff), I first clean the pot/pan before I start the last step, and never start to eat without having washed all the tools (the kitchen itself is a different story).

I wouldn't ever have the energy to do the dishes/pots/pans after lunch. What a horror! ​​
Show threadeyrea 🇨🇦Aug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict Usually I am disappointed when I find a cookbook with a lot of things I already make, but this time I am delighted. There's definitely some things in here to add to the repertoire.
Show threadDark Sheep Arts Has MovedAug 3, 2023

@cardamomaddict

I've bookmarked this for a look later. I initially thought it said 'Sea Bastard' (because pirates are apparently where my brain goes when I'm depressed, it would seem) but either way, it looks like a really good resource!

Show threadJasmine Mangalaseril 🧁Aug 3, 2023
@DarkSheepArts Aaar! Happy that it may be useful :)
Show threadZilla NovikovAug 3, 2023
@DarkSheepArts @cardamomaddict perhaps a sequel?
Show threadDark Sheep Arts Has MovedAug 3, 2023

@zillanovikov @cardamomaddict

Yes! maybe a seafood edition!

Show threadGarret Aug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict Finally, a cookbook for me
Show threadEvanAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict This contains a lot of really useful quick recipes, but when they call it the Sad Bastard Cookbook they aren’t joking. Or rather they are, but it’s about being a sad bastard, in every recipe. I think that the recipes are useful enough as a quick meal guide to look past it, but I could see it putting some people off who could still benefit. Still, who am I to criticize? I guess I’ll just have to write my own free cookbook, one entirely consisting of low-effort oven roasting
Show threadZilla NovikovAug 3, 2023
@odd @cardamomaddict yes! The world needs more low effort cookbooks!
Show threadMarcel Gitlab 💛🤍💜🖤Aug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict "for folks with zero spoons, only knives".
Never a description will be more perfect.
Show threadSarahAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict what an amazing book, they should make kitchen wallpaper out of the pages.
Show threadKiwiRedAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict I think I need to have a look at this, as somebody spoon-deficit.
Show threadLaura Sykes #GreeneraliaAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict
I'm occasionally depressed (it's 2023), and frequently lack the energy or enthusiasm to cook.
I have found my cookbook!
Brilliant, and worth reading straight through as a 'we're all in this together' pick-me-up.
Thank-you!
Show threadDaniel Carkner🦆Aug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict oh yeah this one! 👏​Although we've never met, I've been "internet friends" with Rachel Rosen since the days of livejournal, a very cool dude😎​
Show threadJasmine Mangalaseril 🧁Aug 3, 2023
@dancarkner Online friends still fill a friendship niche. I'm blown away by the reaction to it here :)
Show threadA. RiveraAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict Thanks for the heads up. Got my copy. Will read and possibly review on the blog for others.
Show threadSimon I Groove musicallyAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict I was a Very Sad Bastard early this year. Wish I'd had this then. What a fab book. Thank you!
Show threadRachel A. RosenAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict Thank you for spreading the good word! I am kind of overwhelmed by all of the nice comments we've been getting.
Show threadJasmine Mangalaseril 🧁Aug 3, 2023

@youseeatortoise Oh my! I didn't realise you were here! I didn't meant to step on your toes, but thought it should be shared here. I was going to go to the Bluesky account to do an "ask for forgiveness later" post ;)

It's a fantastic book and I really like the style. I occasionally teach recipe writing and food writing classes. When I do, I tell students there's no "one" style -- I'll add your book to the examples.

Show threadRachel A. RosenAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict you are not remotely stepping on my toes. I posted about it here, but I have all of 10 followers so it didn't get any traction. Zilla and I really want to get the word out (and hopefully about our other projects and newsletter as well). I would absolutely die of happiness if you used it in a class.
Show threadJasmine Mangalaseril 🧁Aug 3, 2023

@youseeatortoise Every once in a while I can evoke a Nigella/ Slashdot moment. I really am happy for you!

I just edited the post to include your handle (so people can follow you and send you their love, directly)

Show threadRachel A. RosenAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict Many thanks! I'm low-key freaking out in the best possible way.
Show threadZilla NovikovAug 3, 2023
@youseeatortoise @cardamomaddict SAME. What an epic way to wake up from a nap -- check my phone, see Rachel's message, see your post... amazing. I'm delighted.
Show threadZilla NovikovAug 3, 2023
@youseeatortoise @cardamomaddict we had a professional chef and two professional editors (one of whom does cookbooks) support us on the project ... so the idea it could be in a cookbook class is THRILLING
Show threadJasmine Mangalaseril 🧁Aug 3, 2023
@zillanovikov @youseeatortoise You're here, too! I'll add your handle to the post. You did a lovely thing with your book :)
Show threadZilla NovikovAug 3, 2023
@cardamomaddict @youseeatortoise thank you! It was a lot of fun.