One of the most unusual cookbooks I have ever reviewed is “The Gross Cookbook – Awesome Recipes For (Deceptively) Disgusting Treats Kids Can Make” by Susanna Tee. Full of disgusting, revolting, generally plain old gross food, this is one of the most fun and unique cookbooks ever.

Before you dive into the gruesome ghoulishness, they do prepare you for what is going to come. Fair warning is offered in “Prepare To Be Disgusted”. The four “Revolting Rules” provide fair usage rules, there is an etiquette to this stuff too you know.

After that brief introduction, you are thrown into the deep end of the loathsome lusciousness. “Squiggly Jelly Worms” is the first recipe and comes with completely awful and yet awesome drawings and photographs of what your end result could look like. The well laid out recipes are very easy to follow with step-by-step instructions. You even get handy tips and warnings for when your child will need an adult.

The recipes aren’t the only thing in the book however, it also gives you a bit of an education with information about some of the exotic and unusual foods that are consumed around the world. Who knew that kids could gross themselves out and learn something new at the same time?

Many of the recipes in the cookbook are designed for maximum shock value. One of my favorites is the “Cat Poop In The Litter Box”. This recipe alone has many uses for shockingly disturbing gags, excellent holiday treats at Hallowe’en, and just plain old tasty snacks if you have a bit of a sick bent.

The graphics throughout the book mesh very well with the integrated full-color pictures consequently setting the atmosphere for a hilariously funny book. I don’t really think it could’ve been the same without such wonderful illustrations.

Care clearly went into the placement of the recipes throughout the book. The “Roasted Mice” recipe directly preceded the “Roasted Rat” Gross Planet information about the delicacy from Vietnam. Such attention to detail truly makes this a spectacular book.

The “Rules Of The Kitchen” finish up the book, along with “Cooking Lingo”. Both are essential go-to pages for a young cook.

A Completely MUST Have Book

This book is an absolute must-have for anybody who’s got a kid or is ever going to plan a Hallowe’en party. But truly it is not just I once a year book. Wet spaghetti in a bowl, for brains, and skinned grapes, for eye balls, was the best I did as a child in our summer Carnival “Mystery Body Part” tent. I can see that I probably would’ve used it often had I owned this book as a child. As an adult, I am unwilling to admit it how many, many times I will be referencing it.

Seems like everybody who looked at this book enjoyed it thoroughly, yet was grossed out at the same time. Exactly, I think, the type of reaction one hopes/expects to get from this book. Can I really can gush enough about this book? I doubt it. It’s probably the most awesome book I’ve ever reviewed, certainly in a class by itself. I love it to death. Hopefully, that won’t result from some of these recipes. ;o)

The full review can be viewed at The RecipesNow! Reviews and Recipes Magazine.

The review is in response to a hard copy of the book sent to me by the publisher in return for an honest review. ( )