Undercooked, Dan Ahdoot
Undercooked, Dan Ahdoot
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Undercooked
How I Let Food Become My Life Navigator and How Maybe That's a Dumb Way to Live

Author: Dan Ahdoot

Narrator: Dan Ahdoot

Unabridged: 5 hr 43 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/21/2023


Synopsis

A collection of hilarious essays about how food became one man’s obsession and coping mechanism, and how it came to rule—and sometimes ruin—his relationships, from the Cobra Kai actor, stand-up comic, and host of Food Network’s Raid the Fridge

“When most people say they have an unhealthy relationship with food, they mean they eat too much of it or too little. When I say I have an unhealthy relationship with food, I mean it’s what gives my life meaning. That’s a really dumb way to live your life, as the stories in this book will attest to.”

Despite an impressive résumé as an actor and writer, Dan Ahdoot realized that food has been the through line in the most important moments of his life. Growing up as a middle child, Ahdoot struggled to find his place in the family until he and his father discovered their shared love for la gourmandise. But when the tragic death of his brother pushed his parents to strengthen their Jewish faith and adopt a strictly kosher diet, Ahdoot and his father lost that savored connection.

To fill the absence left by his brother and father, Ahdoot began to obsess over food and make it central in all his relationships. This, he admits, is probably crazy, but it makes for good stories. From breaking up with girlfriends over dietary restrictions, to hunting just off the Long Island Expressway, to savoring his grandmother’s magical food that was his only tactile connection to his family’s home country of Iran, to jetting off to Italy to dine at the one of the world’s best restaurants, only to send the risotto back, Ahdoot’s droll observations on his unconventional adventures bring an absurdly funny yet heartfelt look at what happens when you let your stomach be your guide.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Elena on January 24, 2024

Part food narrative, part memoir of one Iranian-American’s journey through life. Ahdoot will make you laugh, roll your eyes, and add food knowledge to your mental Rolodex with every line. A great light read.......more

Goodreads review by Kim on April 13, 2023

No idea how this book ended up on my to be read pile, had never heard of Dan Ahdoot! Good bedtime reading, just read a couple chapters each night. Loved the hunting stories, will never forget the story of the shit tent LOL.......more

Goodreads review by Mary Ann on May 18, 2024

Dan Ahdoot is a well-known comedian and podcaster. I got the book after hearing an interview of him by Francis Lam on The Splendid Table in which he was very witty and funny. The book was rather a disappointment; the writing was uneven with some parts scarcely more than a listing of dishes or restau......more

Goodreads review by Thomas on February 27, 2023

I would rate this book 3 1/2 out or 5 stars Can you imagine having a child who graduates from John Hopkins University with honors who plans on attending medical school at Cornell University but instead gives it up to be a comedian. You may know the author from his time on television. From a young age......more

Goodreads review by Jamie on January 01, 2024

I found out about this book after Dan Ahdoot was on my favorite podcast, Lovett or Leave It, and I thought he was very funny. I didn’t know anything about him and decided to give his book a shot and see how I liked it. This book was hilarious and entertaining. There were many times I found myself lau......more


Quotes

“Heartfelt and hilarious, Undercooked is a rumination on life through your belly. Dan Ahdoot has been my culinary guide and mentor over the years, and he hasn’t led me to a single bad meal. A few bad decisions, sure, but some incredible meals. You’re absolutely going to love his literary debut!”—Hasan Minhaj, Peabody Award–winning comedian

“Dan Ahdoot is hilarious. Whether he’s describing hunting, stand-up, or soufflé, you’ll get laughs and insights that are totally unexpected.”—Steven Rinella, New York Times bestselling author of The MeatEater Guide to Wilderness Skills and Survival

“Dan Ahdoot is a man after my own stomach. I love this book because it combines my favorite things in life: food, laughs, and great stories. It made me even happier and hungrier. Undercooked overdelivers.”—Phil Rosenthal, creator and host of Somebody Feed Phil

“Breaking bread with Dan Ahdoot is a very fun, slightly educational, wild ride. Undercooked made me laugh, cry, feel all the feelings, and hungry too! Do yourself a favor and have a nosh while you enjoy this read.”—Michelle Buteau, author of Survival of the Thickest

“Reading Undercooked feels like getting a same-day reservation at the hottest restaurant in town, and the waiter just happens to be a professional comedian. We’re all lucky to be a part of this food lover’s journey—it’s a beautiful book.”—Jimmy O. Yang, author of How to American

“A hilarious adventure with surprisingly contemplative moments.”Book Riot

“Hilarious . . . Ahdoot peels back the layers through amusing anecdotes, seamlessly pairing his sharp-witted humor with an endearing self-awareness. Whether he is skewering food restrictions or lamenting relationship regrets, Ahdoot’s rib-tickling collection will satiate culinary adventurers.”Publishers Weekly

“Ahdoot’s coming-of-age memoir takes readers on an often hilarious ride through his many food-related adventures. . . . [He] is a skilled storyteller who will leave readers wanting more. . . . His personality pops off the page through clever writing, and . . . his all-too-human need for self-forgiveness and acceptance comes across as universal.”Booklist