Book Review: On a Stick!
Posted by Cupcake Kelly on Jun 9, 2011 in Book Review | 10 comments
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On a Stick! is my favorite book of the year so far by a mile. It’s full of fun and feel good recipes. Matt Armendariz pens the fabulous food blog Matt Bites, which I found through one of my other favorite blogs, What’s Gabby Cooking. He’s a former graphic designer and food art director.
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As with any book that I buy or receive I start bookmarking which recipes I want to make. I know it’s a good book when I have a post it note on practically every page!
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The theory behind the book is that every food tastes better on a stick and Matt has taken every sort of food ranging from street cart food, junk food, vegetarian and elegant hors d’oevures to name a few, and turned them into delightful party snacks and dishes on a stick.
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The book takes you through different kinds of sticks, skewers and dips. The books is then split into two sections, savory and sweet. There is a good mix of simple and complex dishes, such as Grilled Fruit Skewers to Bo La Lot. There are also a lot of helpful tips and suggestions spread through the book and each recipe has a beautiful full color photograph.
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I’ve already made four recipes from the book! I started off with deep fried candy bars (check back later for the recipe). There is no real equivalent of a State Fair in the UK and I’ve never been to one so I was eager to try these out. I also did up some Oreos that reminded me of my honeymoon in Aruba.
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I made the Chinese Meatballs as a main meal for two. My husband has already asked me to make it again. I also made the Beef and Vegetable Kebabs but forgot to take a picture. The marinades and dipping sauces in this book are fantastic.
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A fresh version of sweet chili sauce
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I couldn’t resist making the Lollipops and adding my own little twist (check back later for the recipe).
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The only downside I found in the book is that there are a few ingredients that are not available in the UK. The ice cream sandwich includes a recipe for chocolate chip cookies but the cinnamon rolls and pound cake call for the prepared kind in a can or store bought variety, which are not available in the UK. It is easy, however to find recipes from scratch for both on line (thank god for Google).
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I’ve already booked the classic American Corndog as my next recipe to make from the book!
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I really enjoyed this book and look forward to cooking from it even more. On a Stick! is a great source for party food and will certainly lift the mood at any get together or dinner at home.
can't wait for the lollipop recipe 😀
It is possible to buy cinnamon rolls in the UK…I'm not sure where you have looked already but I've not had a problem with this. For the pound cake, buy 'Madeira cake'. It's practically the same thing. x
They sell cinnamon rolls everywhere but I've not seen the kind where you buy the dough and bake at home. They do have croissant dough in a can but no cinnamon rolls yet.
it all looks so yummy xx
When my kids were little they often balked at eating certain foods - if I served it on a stick eating it was no problem. They still like eating food on a stick.
How fun! I'll have to find that book. Kids love almost anything on a stick.
how fun!
What a great idea, 'anything tastes better on a stick'.
I've only sampled a few stick-foods in my life, those being lolly pops, ice cream and kebabs but maybe it's time to venture into the world of stick-foods!
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Oh wow, so everything in the book is on a stick? lol
wow! It all looks so wonderful.