Nadia Giosia, who calls herself simply Nadia G, describes her cooking show, the Bitchin' Kitchen, as a "crazy comedy-cooking show." Nadia, who began as a stand-up comedian, is irreverent: she is profane, tattooed, attired in glitz, even, in this book in negligees. Her insouciant persona appeals to many, and her show is a hit.
But we need to go both beyond the persona, and within the persona to find the real essence of Cookin' for Trouble. Beyond the outsized, outrageous persona her recipes are excellent - well thought-out, well written, and delicious. Underneath that personality may lie a serious cook, and a concerned citizen as she advises, "I buy all organic, but there are a few ingredients that REALLY should be organic: meat and dairy." With the exception of canned beans and broths, Nadia advises to only buy fresh ingredients. She does this with laughter, but she means serious business.
Nadia knows a few things about cooking and wants to share. She is as unabashed in giving tips as she is in...well, just about everything she does. Each recipe gives clear instructions, a grocery list, and mentions the gear you'll need. Most also have headers that will make you laugh.
Nadia's chapters defy the conventional, but contain everything from soup to dessert. Be prepared to laugh before, during and after cooking:
- (Dysfunctional) Family Pizza Night: Pizza Rustica, Pan Pizza, Puttanesca Panzerotti, and Traditional Italian Frittelle smothered in a creamy chocolate-nougat fondue.
- Student Shfoff-Fest: A survival guide complete with one-pot meals
- Veg-Head Extravaganza: Because veggies are good. "I'd rather get protein from a hangnail than from 3 pounds of mystery meat."
- Bitchin' Booty Camp Extreme: Lower calories, of course
- Hi-Speed Suppers: Quick meals, "So you can get back to the other important things, like stalking your high-school enemies on Facebook."
- Turkey Time: It doesn't have to be a holiday, "and one turkey can be turned into a week's worth of meals."
- Nonna Recipe Showdown: "The best dishes I've ever eaten."
- Proposal for a Proposal: Yes, a menu for a wedding
- Bitchin' Party Guide: "Instead of fussing over a sit-down dinner, create a Bitchin' Buffet inspired by your favorite dishes that still rock at room temperature."
- Depression Desserts: Cheer-up sweets
- Happiness = Bacon: From Pasta Carbonara to Candied Bacon with Cayenne.
- Girls' Night In: A p.j. party for grown-ups
- Gluttony G-Style: Rich and wonderful recipes
- Makeover Meals " Turn ordinary dishes on their head"
- Back-of-the-Fridge Bachelorfest: You think you have nothing to cook. Nadia will surprise you.
- Community Chapter: Dedicated to the show's community, with recipes contributed by the community
The introduction is written by Guy Fieri who writes, "When I first met my paisan Nadia G and watcher her show, Bitchin' Kitchen, I saw a kindred spirit. She's totally out of bounds and follows her own rules. I read her first book cover to cover and couldn't believe what she was pullin' off! She's got a lot to say and she won't stop until you hear it."
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