Southern Fried Sass: A Queen's Guide to Cooking, Decorating, and Living Just a Little "Extra"

by Ginger Minj

RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Ginger Minj shares her favorite recipes, best advice, and wildest stories in this hilarious book that’s part memoir, part cookbook. Perfect for fans of Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood.

Drag icon Ginger Minj brings her signature humor and sass to this tongue-in-cheek memoir-cum-life manual-cum-cookbook. Featuring Ginger’s favorite Southern-inspired recipes, Southern Fried Sass showcases some of her most vulnerable and celebratory moments, revealing the most valuable lessons she’s learned after years in drag and the pearls of wisdom she’s gleaned from her grandmother’s personal brand of Southern resilience.

You’ll cheer for Ginger as she spills the tea with exclusive behind-the-scenes details from three seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race and offers her best advice on everything from contouring to cooking and setting the table for a full-on Southern-style Thanksgiving dinner. Did we say dinner? Here, you’ll find more than fifty recipes, including The Minx’s Sick’ning Scalloped Pineapple Paradise, Red Barn BBQ Ribs platter, Better Than Sex cake, and countless other decadent desserts. From fighting for what you’re worth to looking good on a motorcycle as a big girl to finding love while also making damn good cupcakes, this is the perfect gift for anyone who wants to live their best life.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Queer, LGBT

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2023

Reviews

[LGBT Representation in Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings: cursing, homophobia, slurs, suicidal thoughts, self harm thoughts, coming out, outing, alcohol, accidental electrocution, parental abandonment, toxic relationship, relationship abuse, cheating, violence, death of grandparents, drugs, Pulse shooting

Representation: Drag, Gay, Dyslexic, Nonbinary

Southern Fried Sass: A Queen’s Guide to Cooking, Decorating, and Living Just a Little “Extra” is part memoir, part cookbook from RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Ginger Minj, in which she shares her favorite recipes, best advice, and wildest stories. Featuring Ginger’s favorite Southern-inspired recipes, Southern Fried Sass showcases some of her most vulnerable and celebratory moments, revealing the most valuable lessons she’s learned after years in drag and the pearls of wisdom she’s gleaned from her grandmother’s personal brand of Southern resilience.

You’ll cheer for Ginger as she spills the tea with exclusive behind-the-scenes details from three seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race and offers her best advice on everything from contouring to cooking and setting the table for a full-on Southern-style Thanksgiving dinner. Did we say dinner? Here, you’ll find more than fifty recipes, including The Minx’s Sick’ning Scalloped Pineapple Paradise, Red Barn BBQ Ribs platter, Better Than Sex cake, and countless other decadent desserts. From fighting for what you’re worth to looking good on a motorcycle as a big girl to finding love while also making damn good cupcakes, this is the perfect gift for anyone who wants to live their best life.

This ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have never really understood why or how people read cookbooks. Now I get it. I absolutely loved the memoir aspect of this book and look forward to making some of these delicious sounding recipes in the future! Having the opportunity to learn more about Ginger’s life and experience growing up in the South was a great time and their narration of their own story added so much spice to the story!

[Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll go for a 3.5 on this because I thought some parts were good, the recipes were a nice touch and so were the asides where Ginger gives some advice, but it just felt very quick and jumbled to me. We’d jump from one topic to the next and just quickly graze over everything. The depth a detail that went into the drag race sections I wanted THROUGHOUT! I was surprised she didn’t add in the story about her grandfather secretly waking up in the morning to watch drag race during season 7 to secretly support her. Depth like that I wanted more of! Still fun and still enjoyed it!

[Anna (The Bursting Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ginger is a great storyteller - and had some inspiring words about advocating for yourself. I haven’t tried any of the recipes yet, but the autobiographical side was really good.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with decadent recipes and the earnest, no frills (unless it’s to accentuate an outfit) style her drag is known for, Minj’s book offers down home comfort fans have come to expect. Never afraid to show the ugly parts and heighten them to teachable moments with an extra helping of sugar, this book reads as a triumph against struggle, and a celebration of those who’ve brought us there.

[Laura • lauralovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me tell you. I LOVED this book so much! I didn’t get to many nonfiction books for November, but this was so good, and made my #fivestarfaves for the month. I loved that it was part memoir, part delicious southern family recipes, and part juicy gossip. The relationship between Ginger Minj and her Granny was so sweet, and I love that she shares so many of her family recipes in the book.

I binged all seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race and All-Stars during the pandemic, and it was such a comfort show for me during that time. Ginger Minj remained one of my faves, and I loved that her personality came through in her book too.

🎧I paired the book with the audio format, and loved the narration so much. I love it when the author narrates, and she had me laughing out loud, with her sweet southern sass, but her “tell it like it is” demeanor shined too.

*many thanks to Atria, S&S Audio and Bookclub Favorites for the gifted copy for review

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few interesting recipes but more balance between the amount of recipes and memoirs could have been better.

[Poppy Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
*********************************************************

RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Ginger Minj shares her favourite recipes, best advice, and wildest stories in this hilarious book that’s part memoir, part cookbook. Perfect for fans of Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood.

Drag icon Ginger Minj brings her signature humour and sass to this tongue-in-cheek memoir-cum-life manual-cum-cookbook. Featuring Ginger’s favourite Southern-inspired recipes, Southern Fried Sass showcases some of her most vulnerable and celebratory moments, revealing the most valuable lessons she’s learned after years in drag and the pearls of wisdom she’s gleaned from her grandmother’s personal brand of Southern resilience.

You’ll cheer for Ginger as she spills the tea with exclusive behind-the-scenes details from three seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race and offers her best advice on everything from contouring to cooking and setting the table for a full-on Southern-style Thanksgiving dinner. Did we say dinner? Here, you’ll find more than fifty recipes, including The Minx’s Sick’ning Scalloped Pineapple Paradise, Red Barn BBQ Ribs platter, Better Than Sex cake, and countless other decadent desserts. From fighting for what you’re worth to looking good on a motorcycle as a big girl to finding love while also making damn good cupcakes, this is the perfect gift for anyone who wants to live their best life.

Oh, that drag queen's name is dirrrrrrrrty – I hope no one asks me what a “minj / minge” is…I will tell them to google it. Great recipes and inside stories – I could wax on about how mad I am at protestors at Drag Queen Storytime, but I don’t want to start a war or have that local criminal Bubba Pollock come after ME. (Google him and the horrible things is done especially with that poor girl's father. ) A great humour-filled book that I will recommend to the right audience. #shortbutsweetreviews

PS - Thank you for the makeup tips but I would really love a “map” of how you make your eyes look so amazing with makeup. I can try and try and try and try but it never looks this good.

[Jenni V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm rating this book 5 stars because it is exactly as advertised. This book was at the top of my request list for Christmas. Ginger Minj is an accomplished drag queen I mostly knew from Drag Race but after reading this book, I feel I know her much better. I'm choosing "she/her" pronouns based on how she said she identifies while in drag.

I was pleasantly surprised by how in-depth this book was. Although it was entertaining with glamorous photos, there was a lot of substance as well. It just had a vibe of comfort and I felt calm while reading it.

The family photos were a great addition! The recipes weren't my usual style of food but there were a few I copied down for later. All of the recipes seemed accessible and well thought-out. I'd also never heard of using two different kinds of potatoes while making mashed potatoes and it might change my life.

Find all my reviews at: https://readingatrandom.blogspot.com

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg. I had no idea how much I NEEDED this book!!!!!!

I like to tuck non-fiction into my usual "Romantasy" rotation... It allows me to believe I am still interested in expanding my world views/knowledge.

Ginger Minj might be my new prophet. This book is some serious self-help-love-yourself while being kind to the world.

I loved this book...I loved the heart. I cannot wait to make Grandpa's BBQ sauce!!! Bless his HEART!

Oh... I LOOKED at the PDF. WOW.

UPLIFTING/illuminating...

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly cute, even if it doesn't break any new ground in terms of its advice, photos, or layout. The recipes didn't really appeal to me much (but neither does Southern cooking, in general) and felt weirdly shoehorned in a lot of the time.

But you're here for the Drag Race of it all. And there are some juicy tidbits here, especially about how production works.

[kepz_lovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book which of course was a treat to listen to. I loved that there were recipes included that meant something to Ginger Minj which adds a little bit of something extra to the story which you can enjoy afterwards.
Many people will resonate with different elements of her story and of course everyone loves to hear the BTS of Drag Queen.
Thanks Libro.fm for the audio eARC.

[Franny lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aunt Glenda Faye’s Famous Fruit Salad is missing the full instructions on the PDF of the audiobook,
do I cool the mixture and add to the fruit??
Loving the audiobook but I would love a story behind the recipes.

[Julie Rylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quite entertaining. I never imagined that Ginger got so much hate after drag race caude i alwqys perceived her as a super talented and funny queen.

I love how she incorporates the recepies "in the pdf" in her dialoge (that i am never gonna have cause i have this as an audio book).

[CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is your everyday cookbook with flair!! I loved how this was set out as a cookbook merged with memories. I think it was pretty perfect in its set up. I enjoyed the journey that I was taken on.

[Julie Ohrberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It’s so exciting to see a friend excel and to see that their journey has taken them on a path to well deserved success. I can’t wait to try the recipes.

[Stacy Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part memoir, part encouragement, part cookbook….all wonderful! I laughed, I cried, and then I laughed some more.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of Ginger Minj, I enjoyed listening to the audiobook and learning more about her life.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as memoir and self-help title as a cookbook. Loved it!

[Morgan Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very honest account of Ginger's life. She's honestly very relatable, kind, pensive, down to earth and multi-talented. It was a joy to catch a glimpse into her life.

[Linnea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Ginger Minj! Loved hearing her story

[Jess Tell · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you already love Ginger Minj from "Drag Race", this is a continuation of her sweet & sassy personality.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for Drag Race fans, of course, but Ginger's story will resonate with anyone who ever felt different or less-than, and her recipes will make you want to put on your flashiest apron and run to the kitchen.

[Ashleah · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5 rounded up to a 5)

Southern Fried Sass: A Queen's Guide to Cooking, Decorating, and Living Just a Little "Extra" by Ginger Minj is part memoir, part cookbook.

I have always been a fan of Ginger. I teared up several times while reading this, and I also laughed quite a good amount. It was exactly what I needed to read in the moment I was reading it.

The audiobook comes with a PDF of the recipes, and I was so glad for that! There are several that my partner are excited to try out.

If you're here for the Drag Race tea, there's a smidgen here, with tidbits about how they ran production on the show.

This is not a fully light-hearted book. Ginger's upbringing was tough, and self-esteem wasn't always plentiful. In addition, they had some toxic and abusive relationships as well. As they are a Florida native, the Pulse nightclub shooting is mentioned.

I appreciate that she read her own audiobook, it really added to the whole reading experience. Also, there's good diversity here! Ginger is gay and nonbinary, and is additionally dyslexic.

CW: homophobia, slurs, suicidal thoughts, self harm thoughts, parental abandonment, toxic relationships, relationship abuse, cheating, violence, drugs, Pulse shooting

I received a copy of this book to review. Thank you to Simon Audio and LibroFM for the complimentary audio review copy. All opinions contained herein are my own.

If you want to see more from me, check out my blog, Bookstagram, TheStoryGraph, or Twitter.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5✨

Ginger Minj of Drag Race fame shares childhood and career anecdotes to accompany recipes. While I appreciated the insights into her time on the show and rise to popularity in the drag pageant scene, overall the book fell flat for me. The photography, aside from the photos of Minj at the start of each chapter, feels like stock imagery and the recipes feel very basic. I'm glad I got this one from the library instead of paying to add it to my permanent cookbook collection.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Review ✨ Southern Fried Sass: A Queen's Guide to Cooking, Decorating, and Living Just a Little "Extra" by Ginger Minj

Okay, so I looveeeee me some Ginger Minj and this book delivered Ging in all her glory. A mix of memoir, recipes, and general life advice this book was like a warm hug. It was sassy and it was earnest, and it was even better to listen to it delivered by the queen herself over audio!

What I loved the most, and found most surprising perhaps, was the way that this felt like a generally lovely pep talk -- encouraging all readers to just be themselves and to find happiness through this sort of self-authenticity. While the book definitely didn't use such cheesy self-help terms, it definitely provided that excellent affirmation.

The audiobook contains a PDF guide with the recipes, and the only thing that's a little annoying is the constant audio reminders to go check out the recipes (I assume where they would have been inserted into the book).

If you want the perfect company on a long trip or your day-to-day cleaning or drive to work, this is the perfect one to amp you up with pep talks and stories galore (and even some great tea on Ginger's time on drag race)

Love love love!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: memoir / cookbook / lifestyle

Read this if you like:
⭕️ memoirs & pep talks
⭕️ drag queens and pageants
⭕️ Southern cooking and shade

Thanks to Simon and Schuster Audio for the gifted advanced copy of this book!

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part memoir, part cookbook, this is Ginger Minj’s story. It goes through her life with recipes and lots of pictures along the way! Ginger is one of my favorite queens so I loved this one a lot. Her story though I think can resonate with a lot of people. Definitely worth a read! Can’t wait to try some of these delicious sounding recipes!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

[Amanda Karsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will make you smile, the food is warm and from the ❤️ heart. Nothing you wouldn’t want to eat. Loved all the fun stores.