Surreal Gourmet Bites: Showstoppers and Conversation Starters [Paperback]

Bringing his successful Food Network show, The Surreal Gourmet, to the page, the author of this slim cookbook offers a collection of 50 innovative appetizers with names like Haiku Halibut, Pearls of Wisdom and Byzantine Bruschetta. Perfect for an avant-garde cocktail party or even a Dadaist dinner, these recipes are quirky in presentation but consistently delicious. What could be wrong with a Caesar Teaser, a biteful of classic Caesar salad wedged into a miniature parmesan cup? Or a Samurai Scallop, a sesame-crusted scallop bathing in a soy-based marinade, to be served on a large Chinese spoon? Some of the recipe names try a bit too hard to be cute at the expense of sounding appetizing—Chicken Popsicles, for example, don’t sound the least bit tempting even though they’re simply fried chicken on a stick. But several of the recipes are poetic simplicity, such as Bee Stings, chunks of parmesan drizzled with truffle oil and honey. The author serves each recipe with a sidecar of cloying commentary, listing "Uncommon Goods" instead of hard-to-find ingredients and suggesting "Liquid Assets" instead of appropriate wines and beers. He even goes so far as to suggest appropriate music by which to make each recipe. Is Moby really the right thing to listen to while cooking Bang Bang Drumettes? Perhaps, but even if prepared in Zen-like silence, the recipes in this book would still result in delicious, unconventional treats.
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Bob Blumer (a.k.a. The Surreal Gourmet) has assembled a collection of bursting-with-flavor appetizer recipes that will dazzle your senses. With foods that suit anyone's culinary comfort level, this colorful volume contains recipes for fish, meat, fowl, veggies, and sweets -- from Byzantine Bruschetta to Samurai Scallops. Bob also provides "liquid assets," drinks that enhance the flavor of each bite. In addition to the easy-to-follow instructions, each recipe includes information on its level of difficulty, advance preparation, and even music to cook by to get maximum enjoyment in the kitchen.

With Surreal Gourmet Bites, Bob Blumer elevates party food into wow-inspiring, how-did-you-think-of-that creations. It's no wonder Bob's called The Surreal Gourmet. He's an artist when it comes to food. And these little masterpieces are as lighthearted as the party itself: Chinese Snow Cones (chicken salad with ginger vinaigrette in baked wonton cones); Coconut Shrimp Lollypops (coconut-crusted shrimp with an apricot-ginger dipping sauce); S'more Shotters (amaretto hot chocolate with roasted marshmallows). Each recipe comes complete with ways to simplify the dish, level of skill needed, prep times, and even suggestions for music to cook by and beverage pairings. Pick one or two to set the stage for an impressive dinner or several for a fabulous cockatail party that will keep your guests talking about the food all the way home. The beauty of Blumer's recipes is that they are foolproof - even for most culinary challenged cooks. They rely on igredients found at the local grocery store that are brought to life with a heavy-handed infusion of fresh herbs and spices. These whimsically presented bites are simple enough for improptu gatherings, yet memorable enough to become addictive. With Surreal Gourmet Bites, the food will be the life of the party.

Chef, artist and professional bon vivant Bob Blumer is one of today's most imaginative food personalities. Whether he is taping his Food Network show in his gleaming Toastermobile, or concocting new recipes in his own kitchen, Blumer transforms common ingredients into wow-inspiring dishes through whimsical presentations and unusual cooking methods that have become his culinary trademark. His artful approach to cooking, and contagious enthusiasm have endeared him to a loyal following who tune in to his weekly half-hour show, frequently visit his cooking classes and appearances, and collect his books.