Basic Bitchen: 100+ Everyday Recipes—from Nacho Average Nachos to Gossip-Worthy Sunday Pancakes—for the Basic Bitch in Your Life

by Joey Skladany

Pour a glass of rosé and embrace your inner basic bitch with these 100+ everyday recipes, complete with tips and tricks for cooking “basic” meals you know you shamelessly love.

In a world where everyone seeks to be special and pride themselves on their differences, there is one common bond that unites us all—basicness. And while some rock the Ugg boots and drink pumpkin spice lattes more than others, we can all still appreciate the simple pleasures that mimosas, avocado toast, and acai bowls bring. And that’s okay!

Basic Bitchen celebrates and embraces the basic bitch lifestyle through food, offering step-by-step recipes for the most fundamental (and delicious) of all dishes. Recipes include:
-Basic Bitch Lifeblood, a.k.a. the Pumpkin Spice Latte
-Mom’s Definitely-Not-Sicilian Sicilian Caesar Salad
-“I Could Eat This, Like, Every Day” Sushi Rolls
-A Deeply Personal Cauliflower Pizza
-Way Too Easy (If You Know What I Mean) One-Sheet Pan Dinners
-Antidepressant Red Velvet Cake Pops

In addition to these easy, flavorful crowd-pleasing recipes, Chowhound editor Joey Skladany provides tips and tricks, such as how to build a pantry and cooking tools that every chef needs so you can take your cooking skills beyond the microwave and make meals all of your friends will enjoy.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Nonfiction, Cooking, Food and Drink

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2020

About the author

Joey is a writer/editor, TV/radio personality, lifestyle expert, former entertainment publicist and cookbook author. Currently, he is editor-at-large at CBS Interactive's Chowhound where he manages the site's food and travel editorial content. His work has also been featured in major outlets like Food & Wine, People, CNET, InStyle, Yahoo!, Travel + Leisure, Lonny and BuzzFeed.

Prior to a career in writing, he was a publicist for TLC, serving as the PR lead for the network's highest-rated series like Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, My Strange Addiction and My Crazy Obsession. Joey attended Northwestern University, receiving a B.A. in Communication Studies with a minor in Theatre. He graduated cum laude after making Dean's List every quarter and was named a Northwestern, Toledo Trust Company and Communication Century scholar.

Joey is currently based in New York, NY. In his spare time, he enjoys volleyball, worshipping Beyonce, fine dining, writing depressing poetry, interior design and perfecting his stand-up comedy routine. His debut cookbook, Basic Bitchen, will be published by Simon & Schuster's Tiller Media and is on shelves Aug. 4, 2020.

Reviews

[Kammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the concept of this recipe book....simple yet elegant recipes! I enjoy cooking, but I get very frustrated by recipes that need so many specific hard to find items! This book is a solution to this! The recipes are pretty simple and the step by step instructions are pretty much cool proof. I also loved the idea of enumerating basic cooking supplies and ingredients you need for a good stable.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t normally review cookbooks because I don’t necessarily consider them to be “books I read”. That said, I got an early copy of this book from NetGalley so I wanted to review it here.

Now that I’ve been through the whole book, I can honestly say that I’d probably eat anything in this book.
The foods are cutely called “basic”. So they’re foods like avocado toast and nachos. They’re foods people will probably like but elevated versions.

I like the talking style of the author. It feels like a friend sitting down and telling you about the food in a funny way.

I always want more pictures in cookbooks and this book is no exception.

I haven’t tried any of the recipes yet. I may come back with follow up after trying them but the first one that caught my eye is inspired by my favorite Girl Scout cookies, Tagalongs.

Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy.

[Mary Bronson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC to give my honest opinions.

I thought this book was interesting little cookbook. I like how at the beginning there is the list of all things need to stock up in the kitchen to cook. Plus I love the little tips he had along the way and little stories. I like the recipes he had created from drinks all the way to dessert.

[Joey Skladany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it. It’s the best!

[Katie Colucciello · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Replace Hermione's famous 'Leviosa' scene with 'mimosa' and you've got me on a Sunday, but with orange juice and champagne levitating toward my mouth and no magic wand in sight."

This book is my aesthetic and thats that. As soon as I read the title, I automatically needed to try this book and boy did it not disappoint!

This book is defiantly aimed for the younger crowd who are still learning how to do things. For example, the "I just got my first apartment and I do not know how to make anything" person.
I feel like anyone over that age would not appreciate the book in its entirety. I thoroughly enjoyed the "Basic Bevs" and "Brunch: The Most Important Meal of the Day." I mainly liked the brunch section because as a person who does not like eggs, the majority of the section was not eggs, and that is a rare find and I appreciate it.

I personally cannot wait to make "Highway to Hell Soft Pretzels" and "Grilled Cheese with Cheesy Fries, aka Rock Bottom" and will be preordering my copy ASAP

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced PDF of this cookbook. All opinions are my own.

[Isabelle]

Basic Bitchen // by Joey Skladany

Let me start this by saying I am a terrible cook and extremely intimidated by learning new recipes. Basic Bitchen sounded super fun and I was very excited to have received it for review. The recipes in this book are a lot of fun and the steps are clearly laid out. It has a great mix of drinks, appetizers, main courses, and deserts, and are things that people actually enjoy eating on a regular basics. None of them are so complicated that you don't even want to attempt them in the first place. I loved the way he narrated everything and the pictures accompany everything wonderfully. I loved it so much that I went ahead and bought the print book already!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not the biggest fan of cookbooks, because of the internet. I find majority if my cooking from Pinterest, but forget Pinterest when it comes to Basic Bitchen. I loved all the cocktails, but I am not picky when it comes to a mixed drink! I tried the "Simply Glorious Avocado Toast" and it was great! I felt like a cool brunch influencer before I ate it all. There is also "Millennial Pink Hummus". It was delicious! This cook book is filled with very unique recipes. The instructions where not hard to follow and everything was explained pretty well. I wish there was more pictures of what I was cooking in the book. I am a very visual person and love to see the pictures of what I was cooking is suppose to look like..

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basic Bitchen was such an fun cookbook to read. I think Joey is such an amazing personality and you really get that vibe in his writing. His pictures are fabulous and there are so many recipes I'd love to try from this cookbook. This cookbook is all about living your basic life and also cooking those basic recipes with a twist. Be the basic person you want to be and wear it confidently in life and your meals! 5 stars! Thanks to netgalley for my copy.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Basic Bitchen is a fun new recipe style collection by Joey Skladani. Due out 4th Aug 2020 from Simon & Schuster on their Tiller Press imprint, it's 224 pages (hardcover) and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The general style of the text and collection is young, stylish, humorous, slightly snarky (ok,fairly snarky) and fun. The recipes have clever names and the author's voice is over the top in an irreverent exuberant way.

The layout is easy to follow and the recipes themselves are varied and tasty. An introduction covers the basics: stocking a pantry, necessary kitchen tools, and helpful tips. The following chapters include the recipes grouped thematically: Basic Bevs, Snappy Apps, Grand Entrance Entrees, Sinful Sweets, and Brunch (The most important meal of the day).

The recipes include a title, description with yields and prep/cooking time, ingredients in a bullet list, and step by step instructions. Ingredient measurements are given in American standard only (no metric). Alternative ingredients and additions as well as tips and hints are provided in highlighted text boxes. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made with easily sourced ingredients. Many are very simple, none of them are overly complex.

This would make a good choice for young culinary style-forward cooks, maybe newly moved into a new apartment, or living on their own for the first time. This is a fun niche cookbook. It won't be a staple in years to come, but for here-and-now, it's a fun choice.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Johanna Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious cookbook... cooking with style. Author has a simple comedic style writing some basic recipes for your enjoyment. It’s entertaining and boasts some gorgeous pictures to some basic all around recipes in an American style. From nachos, to spinach dip, some gorgeous drinks, and a variety of other basic American foods.

What did I like? The cookbook teaches you how to stock your pantry with specific easy to keep staples in order to make some basic recipes. The author has a pretty witty flair for the dramatic as he gives you some comedic information while giving you a basic recipe. From his favorite pink color to his love for Beyoncé you can definitely laugh as you search for a fun recipe to enjoy.

Would I recommend or buy? I would love a copy. The comedic style of the book and variety of the recipes would make this a fun gift as well. I bookmarked nearly all the recipes to try which should keep me busy for awhile. It’s an interesting twist to basic kitchen recipes that will make you laugh.

I received a complimentary copy to read. Five stars! Worthwhile recipes.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received and voluntarily read an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Great recipes, but what makes this book one that I'll be adding to my collection is the humor that the author shows! Skladany walks the fine line between being snarky and sarcastic without falling over into sounding like he's talking to a bunch of kindergarteners he wouldn't leave alone with crayons.

The recipes have easy to find ingredients that I don't have to go to 20 different specialty stores to find. The step by step instructions means cooking the dishes will be simple, and if I screw it up, obviously I should never have tried to cook in the first place!

The standout recipe was the Non-Elderly Oatmeal with Goji Berries. Not only is it absolutely delicious, I finally have someone who remembers the dinosaur egg oatmeal (people have been telling me for years that no such thing existed- ha! Here's proof that it did!)

Overall, the humor alone would make this three stars, but the amazing recipes give this cookbook a full five stars!

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cookbook seems written for a younger, hipper crowd. I didn't dislike it. Some of the recipies look really yummy and some I am going to try but it covered a lot of things I just was not interested in. I might buy this for my daughter or her friends as a gift but not for myself. I am a collector of cookbooks. I would add it to my collection if it was a gift, cherish it and read it cover to cover...again. Cookbooks are such personal choices. We each, us cooking folks, know what type of book or recipe we are looking for or what sort of food, be it comfort food, southern, Italian etc that we love to cook or plan for a special occasion. You, yourself, may love this book! You should try it, just check out the recipies! It could be exactly what you are looking for!

[Cozy Book Spot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Babe you deserve 5 stars! The coolest recipe book ever! This book is so fun and funny! I laughed at every single recipe name! I love it! The every-day recipes are here to help you, specially of you're in college or just don't have any idea of what to cook for lunch, dinner or dessert. I can definitely see myself making almost all the recipes in this book. There are lots of recipes that I already know how to make, but whatever this book is so fun that I want to have the printed copy! I want to try those cocktails recipes so bad (I don't even drink that much, but now I want it lol). Getting a copy of it for my sister-in-law as a graduation gift! Thanks Joey Skladany for the laughs and great recipes and thanks NetGalley for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC from Tiller Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I could not get over the creativity of the recipe names and the fabulous pictures that came with the delicious detailed recipes. I can't wait to try the avocado toast and the sassy shish to peppers with spicy aioli along with the delicious drinks and smoothies. I know this will be a modern and fun cookbook will be a fun take for our cooking demo and hopefully it will attract more of a crowd.

We will consider adding this title to our TX collection at our library. This is why we give this book 5 stars.

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a cook book collector and someone that considers themselves a moderate level cook, I must say I found this book quite enjoyable. This cook book offers a wide range of recipes, helpful tips and clever tricks with a tongue-in-cheek attitude, plenty of sass and a touch of snark. I think this book is perfect for novice cooks, teens and young adults and anyone else with a sense of humor and an appreciation for simple, satisfying recipes. From drinks to appetizers for a quick get together, to family dinner and dessert, to snacks and lunch and some truly crave-able comfort dishes, this book has you covered. I am posting a candid elective review.

[Sarah Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This millennial cook was all set for basic bitchen with the recipes provided in this snack of a book. See what I did there? A similar narrative can be found throughout this cookbook, complete with pop culture quips and sassy suggestion sections. Immediate recipe attempts were made for quarantine frosés, avocado toast, and the holy crêpes. Recipes are easy to follow and presented with helpful guides. This is a perfect addition to anyone’s kitchen who admires a bit of humor and taking dishes to the next level (in simple ways).

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun cook book!

With sass and good recipes there's a nice variety in this book. There's alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, appetizers, desserts, and meals! Much more thorough than I expected!

While some recipes are a bit time intensive, there are also simple things you can whip up from this book. There are also helpful tips and pictures to show you what things should look like! It's a fun read full of good recipes!

[Michelle Noble · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great cookbook for the beginner or college students. It explains how to stock a pantry. It has chapters for drinks, appetizers, and desserts. I found a few recipes I might try such as pork dumplings. Each recipe calls for basic ingredients that you probably will already have on hand, and they have simple instructions. The author gives tips, and provides substitutions for ingredients as well as nutritional properties of the ingredients. This is not a cookbook for experienced cooks.

[Lindsay Elmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I love to cook but always tend to do the same things. This cookbook gave me ideas for similar things I already make but with a new twist. I love the fact this book also had drink recipes as most cookbooks do not.
I have found some new items I want to try making. The best part is NONE of these recipes are too complicated. Most of the ingredients you should already have in your pantry and will need to just pick up a few of the specific items for the dish.
This cookbook is also good for all seasons. Time to get cooking!

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joey Skladany's writing style is humorous, irreverent, and down to earth. As a friend to a self-proclaimed Basic Bitch this cookbook had be laughing throughout and drooling over the simple yet delicious looking recipes! Joey has recipes in here to satisfy every palate under the sun with ample substitutions and suggestions to make each recipe unique. This is a must try cookbook for anyone looking to laugh as they find their next tried and true kitchen staple!

[Cassaundra Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fun from cover to text to recipe. I love that while this cookbook has your most "basic" recipes, it also provides some not so basic foods that are delicious and easy to manage. There is a whole lot of sassy banter, tips, tricks, and the like. I love that there are already suggested substitutions for each recipe because no one will have all the things every time a craving strikes. This was a great read as much as it was a great addition to my cookbook library.

[Kyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book received for free through NetGalley

I wanted to like this book. It was interesting to read but I don’t think I’m basic enough to get fully into it. Several of the recipes sounded really good but I haven’t tried any of them as I was either lacking the ingredients, energy, or time. That said this is a great book to check out from the library as it puts a smile on your face and if you try a couple recipes you could fall in love with it. I could see many people buying it.

[Carey’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars! It’s a cookbook with attitude! The recipes sound a-ma-zing! I do wish more photos had been in the book though. Other than that, I really want to try the soft pretzels recipe! The author is full of sass, snark and good recipes! He makes reading a cookbook, fun!
*I received this book at no charge from the publisher and I voluntarily left a review.*

[Trista Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. I am absolutely in love with this book. You don't have to be a Basic B to enjoy it! It was hilarious and had such helpful advice. Where was this book when I needed it when I first started out on my own. There is such a wide range of recipes that are easy to follow.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This cookbook has potential The recipes are good, but I was so tired of all the "cool" catchphrases and nuances in every single recipe that I just had to stop looking through it.

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

He may call these recipes "basic" but some are complex. A modern cookbook full of yummy things to make. Nicely illustrated.

Joey sounds like he knows what he is talking about in the kitchen, and sounds like he'd be a great friend!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved everything about this book. The recipes, the pictures and well everything. I will be buying a few of them as gifts for some of my friends. Definitely highly recommend!

[Amanda Karsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthusiastic build up to every recipe and a fun Memorable name to each dish. Most dished are common every day makes but there is at least a secret ingredient in each. Loved the cocktails.

[Femke · Rating 1 out of 5]

This unfortunately wasn't for me. The recipes weren't that special and I personally missed some photographs. A lot of reviewers also really liked the "sassy" tidbits, but it just didn't suit me.

[Tammie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun cook book. It has bright colors and recipes are easy to follow. I can wait to try a lot of them.

Thank you to Joey Skladany and good reads for this book.