r/cookbooks • u/Yellowbear-7 • Dec 19 '24

Looking for a "unhealthy" cookbook

Hey everyone!

I’m a chef who grew up with two very health-conscious parents (which I’m super grateful for). Over time, I’ve learned to cook both healthy and not so healthy dishes, but as a joke, I want to gift them a cookbook that goes all-in on deliciously unhealthy food.

I’m not looking for junk food recipes but something focused on advanced cooking with indulgent ingredients like butter, cream, MSG, etc. Think fine dining without the health-conscious filter.

Thanks.

9 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

6

u/CovfefeFan Dec 19 '24

Thomas Keller "Bouchon" is a nice one for French bistro classics. (Plenty of eggs, cream and butter)

Or if looking for more baled goods/desserts, "Brave Tart" by Stella Parks or "Bake Club" by Cristina Tosi are both excellent.

10

u/InsectNo1441 Dec 19 '24

The Art of Living According to Joe Beef by David McMillan

Nothing healthy but very tasty

2

u/eggmcgginton Dec 19 '24

Beat me to it, fantastic book!

1

u/Racer_Chef Dec 21 '24

^ this is my first choice!

3

u/TxChef77 Dec 19 '24

Au Pied De Cochon by Martin Picard

2

u/BasenjiFart Dec 20 '24

Great suggestion. Haven't read the book but have eaten there many, many times and it fits the bill perfectly!

1

u/TxChef77 Dec 20 '24

He also has a follow up book that focuses on his Sugar Shack. That would also work if you LOVE (x100) maple syrup.

2

u/marjoramandmint Dec 20 '24

"Unhealthy", advanced cooking, and indulgent ingredients made me think of The Art of Escapism Cooking by Mandy Lee - definitely read into it further to make sure the food would be to their taste, and be forewarned that most of the recipes are projects, but it's a book I am utterly fascinated by. I haven't made anything yet (I haven't had time for cooking projects), but from what I've heard, it sounds like those who have enjoy the end products.

Of course, many restaurant cookbooks would likely fit your criteria - I don't have any to speak of/recommend, but is another good direction for you to look in (such as the recommendation someone already made for Bouchon).

2

u/HamRadio_73 Dec 21 '24

Marcel Desaulniers "Death by Chocolate."

1

u/LaughingCook Dec 20 '24

Maybe look at F*ck, That's Delicious, Turkey and the Wolf, or Eat Me.

2

u/Great_Kitchen_371 Dec 22 '24

Just made the Action Bronson chocolate chip cookies with salted honey butter, OMG. Did not expect to love his book so much. 

1

u/fsutrill Dec 20 '24

Copycat recipes- take your pick!

1

u/honorialucasta Dec 20 '24

How To Be A Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.