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Back to the Kitchen: 75 Delicious, Real Recipes (& True Stories) from a Food-Obsessed Actor : A Cookbook
Actor Freddie Prinze Jr. shares 75 of his favorite recipes for weeknight meals.
Most people know Freddie Prinze Jr. from movies ( She's All That, Scooby Doo, Star Wars Rebels ) and as one half of beloved Hollywood power couple with Sarah Michelle Gellar. But to family, friends, and co-stars he's always been a terrific father and skilled home cook who prepares delicious meals for his family every night.
Freddie grew up in New Mexico cooking with his mother and eating dishes with a ton of flavor and spice from his Puerto Rican heritage. His eggs come New Mexico–style, served with from-scratch biscuits and green-chile gravy. His tacos are the real soft tortillas, homemade salsa, filled with steak layered with quick-pickled cucumbers, or spicy fish dressed with watermelon and Thai chiles. Now in this family-focused cookbook, Freddie teaches fans to cook his mainstays, the recipes that he makes on even the busiest weeknights, as well as more luxurious date night meals.
With personal family photos from Freddie and Sarah's beautiful LA home and Freddie's hilarious stories about the life of an actor, husband, and father in Hollywood, Back to the Kitchen shares more than just recipes. It’s an inside look at a beloved movie and TV personality who has acted, cooked, and eaten his way around the world.
Most people know Freddie Prinze Jr. from movies ( She's All That, Scooby Doo, Star Wars Rebels ) and as one half of beloved Hollywood power couple with Sarah Michelle Gellar. But to family, friends, and co-stars he's always been a terrific father and skilled home cook who prepares delicious meals for his family every night.
Freddie grew up in New Mexico cooking with his mother and eating dishes with a ton of flavor and spice from his Puerto Rican heritage. His eggs come New Mexico–style, served with from-scratch biscuits and green-chile gravy. His tacos are the real soft tortillas, homemade salsa, filled with steak layered with quick-pickled cucumbers, or spicy fish dressed with watermelon and Thai chiles. Now in this family-focused cookbook, Freddie teaches fans to cook his mainstays, the recipes that he makes on even the busiest weeknights, as well as more luxurious date night meals.
With personal family photos from Freddie and Sarah's beautiful LA home and Freddie's hilarious stories about the life of an actor, husband, and father in Hollywood, Back to the Kitchen shares more than just recipes. It’s an inside look at a beloved movie and TV personality who has acted, cooked, and eaten his way around the world.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2016
41 people are currently reading
727 people want to read
About the author
Freddie Prinze Jr.
1 book34 followersFreddie James Prinze Jr is an American actor. He starred in several films, such as I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998), She's All That (1999), Scooby-Doo (2002), and its sequel Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004). Prinze has also had recurring and starring roles in television shows, including Friends (2002), Boston Legal (2004), Freddie (2005–06), but the best known of which is his role as Cole Ortiz on the main cast of the FOX hit espionage thriller 24 (2010). He is currently the voice of Kanan Jarrus in the Disney XD series Star Wars Rebels.
He is the husband of Sarah Michelle Gellar and worked for WWE as a producer and director.
Back to the Kitchen: 75 Delicious, Real Recipes (& True Stories) from a Food-Obsessed Actor is his first cookbook.
He is the husband of Sarah Michelle Gellar and worked for WWE as a producer and director.
Back to the Kitchen: 75 Delicious, Real Recipes (& True Stories) from a Food-Obsessed Actor is his first cookbook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 4, 2016
This book is a gem. FPJ comes off as down to earth and relatable. I loved his dad humor and how much he seems to adore his family.
The recipes are easy enough for a beginner, but sophisticated enough that foodies will still enjoy them. My favorite part of the cookbook is how flexible the recipes seem to be. Prinze suggests different options, but let's you know what you can change up to suit your preferences.
I know everyone is obsessed with Chrissy Teigen's Cravings, but if you only purchase one, get Back to the Kitchen. I have both and this is the superior cook book.
The recipes are easy enough for a beginner, but sophisticated enough that foodies will still enjoy them. My favorite part of the cookbook is how flexible the recipes seem to be. Prinze suggests different options, but let's you know what you can change up to suit your preferences.
I know everyone is obsessed with Chrissy Teigen's Cravings, but if you only purchase one, get Back to the Kitchen. I have both and this is the superior cook book.
June 10, 2016
Yeah, not going to lie, I totally bought this because Freddie Prinze Jr wrote it. And I absolutely adore him and his family. I honestly didn't know that he cooked so the little anecdotes before the recipes were informative and fun - giving little glimpses into the non-actor. I bookmarked at least half of the book with all the recipes I want to try. Most seems fairly simple, especially if you're short on time. Summer is going to be good eating!
July 15, 2022
A basic cookbook with simple recipes. Not all recipes have photos and one recipe has directions for stacked enchiladas but the photo is of rolled enchiladas. Overall, if you want some easy recipes to whip out a meal, this cookbook might be for you.
December 26, 2018
Let's be real, there was no chance I wasn't going to read the cookbook written by Mr. Sarah Michelle Gellar.
I enjoyed Sarah's book immensely, and this one is just as good. I would genuinely like to own both, because each gives me something different. Sarah's book is all about fun, for amateurs and professionals alike. It's food for the family, for the holidays, for the pure joy of it.
It is quite obvious that Freddie is the cook in this family. And it's also clear how much he likes to cook. This isn't a cookbook where an actor throws his name behind some run of the mill recipes that you could find with one quick scour through Pinterest.
Every introduction explains where he was, or what period of his life he was in, when the cooking came together. He includes recipes from his mother, recipes his children are especially fond of, and of course, recipes his wife prefers the most.
From following him on Instagram I knew he liked to cook, but this showed him in an entirely new light, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this cookbook.
I enjoyed Sarah's book immensely, and this one is just as good. I would genuinely like to own both, because each gives me something different. Sarah's book is all about fun, for amateurs and professionals alike. It's food for the family, for the holidays, for the pure joy of it.
It is quite obvious that Freddie is the cook in this family. And it's also clear how much he likes to cook. This isn't a cookbook where an actor throws his name behind some run of the mill recipes that you could find with one quick scour through Pinterest.
Every introduction explains where he was, or what period of his life he was in, when the cooking came together. He includes recipes from his mother, recipes his children are especially fond of, and of course, recipes his wife prefers the most.
From following him on Instagram I knew he liked to cook, but this showed him in an entirely new light, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this cookbook.
August 1, 2016
Okay, so I'm totally biased in favor of FPJ because of my love for his wife SMG. HOWEVER, this cookbook is so great! The recipes I've tried have been very simple while at the same time requiring a new culinary act that has resulted in delicious food! I am a kitchen dabbler but I really love to cook when I can & this is the first cookbook I've wanted to pay full price for! And of course I love the personal stories which make me root for he & his family even more. Yes, I can be a total fan girl- this cookbook will make you a fan, too!
October 1, 2016
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, my awareness of the author, actor Freddie Prinze Jr was from cheesy 90's teen movies and his marriage to a vampire slayer. Regardless, this book is terrific. While many of the recipes are for meat-eaters and thus off my cooking list I enjoyed reading the food stories that accompany every recipe. My favorite was his story of a particular sauce recipe that makes his little boy growl when consuming. This is a man who adores his family and his heritage and pours his love for both into food.
October 7, 2016
Peppers
I just moved to New Mexico and was delighted to find this cookbook, though I am a vegetarian, LOL, there were still plenty of tips and recipes that will work in my kitchen! I'm still learning about the different chilies available. Also, having been a native of California, I love that we are so diverse in the foods we eat. I was looking for a good Pizza dough recipe and there is one in this book. I loved all the pictures of the family that made this book a personal experience.
I just moved to New Mexico and was delighted to find this cookbook, though I am a vegetarian, LOL, there were still plenty of tips and recipes that will work in my kitchen! I'm still learning about the different chilies available. Also, having been a native of California, I love that we are so diverse in the foods we eat. I was looking for a good Pizza dough recipe and there is one in this book. I loved all the pictures of the family that made this book a personal experience.
July 6, 2016
I have to admit that I only wanted to read this cookbook because it was written by Freddie Prinze Jr., and I had a crush on him when he was in all of the teen movies when I was younger. I mostly read this for the stories that accompanied the recipes, and they were interesting. I actually didn't know a lot about his life, or that even enjoyed cooking. The recipes sounded great, but nothing really stood out to me. He sure loves his home state of New Mexico though!
June 7, 2016
I read the stories cover to cover during my lunch break. I can't wait to try some of the recipes. They look delicious! You can tell Freddie Prinze Jr. has a real love and passion for food and feeding people in his life. Fun read!
May 31, 2020
Prinze Jr did a great job with this cookbook. I didn't know what to expect and thought it might be one of the typical celebrity cookbooks. Prinze Jr has put out a really great Family-friendly and health-conscious cookbook that would be ideal for anyone like me who cooks for their family. At the same time, Prinze jr has personalized many of the recipes and added his own touch to many of the recipes here. Each Recipe has some personal history of Prinze Jr's life. I'm interested more than ever after reading this work and would love to see Prinze Jr write a biography of his life as it sounds both interesting and inspirational.
If you like me love to read cookbooks and are always looking for new recipes for your cooking repertoire this is for you.
If you like me love to read cookbooks and are always looking for new recipes for your cooking repertoire this is for you.
July 10, 2017
Good cookbook but not for food I prefer to eat. My husband loved the recipes in it. Lots of spicy recipes containing chilies, food from Freddie Prinze's childhood, stuff like that. The book itself is beautiful and large. For someone who likes this type of food, it would be a prized cookbook, I'm sure.
December 27, 2017
Food for real people
These recipes are not trendy or pseudo-science superfoods but are family-tested meals that are very appealing. I love the tips and explanations for why he does things a certain way. But most of all I love New Mexico cookery and would happily prepare 80% of these recipes.
These recipes are not trendy or pseudo-science superfoods but are family-tested meals that are very appealing. I love the tips and explanations for why he does things a certain way. But most of all I love New Mexico cookery and would happily prepare 80% of these recipes.
April 8, 2018
I absolutely love this book. Some go the recipes are really good. I loved making some of them some are really easy to make. If he writes a memoir in the future I would defiantly pick it up and read it.
February 20, 2019
I'm so happy with my purchase. I've already used 2 recipes. It's very easy to follow, the ingredients is easy for me to get, and it's downright delicious!
My next one is Chicken skewers with pineapple with green Chile 🤤
My next one is Chicken skewers with pineapple with green Chile 🤤
May 29, 2017
If you're looking for a cookbook with lots of recipes that sound delicious and are simple to make, then this is a book for you. Can't wait to try some of these recipes!
July 17, 2017
Who knew FPJ could cook?
October 2, 2017
What an awesome endearing boofhead.
January 30, 2018
The food looks good, but I especially enjoyed the stories. Mr. Prinze certainly has a unique tone of voice and way of putting things that was fun to read.
October 24, 2018
eh...anyone can make a cookbook these days.
March 5, 2019
Fun to read. I haven't tried a recipe yet, but they sound really good.
November 30, 2019
Lots of yummy recipes.
April 28, 2020
Really good cookbook but alot of the recipes are regional southwest with spices like ancho chiles.
June 5, 2021
This was an entertaining read, with beautiful photos of food that sounds both possible and delicious.
October 26, 2022
Interesting stories, good recipes, and a great addition to any cookbook collection.
March 10, 2017
Some interesting recipes are included in the book, but otherwise not impressive.
February 24, 2017
An avid cookbook collector i read cookbooks like others read novels and i thoroughly enjoyed this cookbook. Along with the recipes, it is filled with charming stories of his growing up in New Mexico along with great photos of his beautiful family. The recipes range from simple to moderately difficult. The ingredients are easily obtainable, the instructions clear and concise. Many of the recipes can be prepared quickly for a fast and easy meal.
This cookbook will not stay on my shelf, i am looking forward to using it regularly.
This cookbook will not stay on my shelf, i am looking forward to using it regularly.
September 24, 2016
Can Freddie get any cuter?! Not only is he easy on the eyes but he also knows how to cook. Sarah Michelle really lucked out on this one. If you are looking for great recipes with an extra spice kick, this is the cookbook for you. Plus pictures of Freddie DUH
August 11, 2016
"Holy Crap! She's All That wrote a book?"
--My reaction to seeing Freddie Prinze Jr.'s book.
I am a late 1980's-1990's kid. As such, I have been aware of Freddie Prinze Jr. since I Know What You Did Last Summer. All the girls went gaga for him. I was kind of indifferent toward him. I really didn't start paying attention to him until he started dating the closest thing to a favorite actress I have and now his wife, Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Then, I realized he is the son of Freddie Prinze. Apparently, I could not ascertain this from his name alone. I needed help. Sooner or later, I respected him more and more. I loved his sitcom and its portrayal of Puerto Ricans and his performance on 24.
Prinze Jr.'s Back to the Kitchen: 75 Delicious, Real Recipes (& True Stories) from a Food-Obsessed Actor is part cookbook and part biography. It achieves on both parts. From the cookbook standpoint, I loved the flavors he uses. Those green and red chilies? I love anything that uses hot spices liberally.
His recipes reminded me a lot of dishes my Grandmother or mother would make. However, my laziness prevails and I gravitated toward the simpler dishes like the French Onion and Tomato Soups recipes or the Grilled cheese. I did like his San Juan Fried Lobster and Puerto Rican/Mexican Fried Chicken. Of course, the Chocolate chip cookies and the chocolate ice cubes.
As a biography, I kind of fell in love with Prinze Jr. He has a great sense of humour, has incredible self-discipline (he's a Martial Artist), and love his mama. When he spoke of his longing for his father so they could simply cook together was heartbreaking. It explains why he involves his children with his cooking.
He has his priorities in the right order and it made me realized I never gave him enough credit when I was younger. I hope Prinze Jr. comes out with another cookbook or maybe just a full fledged biography. He seems like an interesting man and I've only just touched the surface.
--My reaction to seeing Freddie Prinze Jr.'s book.
I am a late 1980's-1990's kid. As such, I have been aware of Freddie Prinze Jr. since I Know What You Did Last Summer. All the girls went gaga for him. I was kind of indifferent toward him. I really didn't start paying attention to him until he started dating the closest thing to a favorite actress I have and now his wife, Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Then, I realized he is the son of Freddie Prinze. Apparently, I could not ascertain this from his name alone. I needed help. Sooner or later, I respected him more and more. I loved his sitcom and its portrayal of Puerto Ricans and his performance on 24.
Prinze Jr.'s Back to the Kitchen: 75 Delicious, Real Recipes (& True Stories) from a Food-Obsessed Actor is part cookbook and part biography. It achieves on both parts. From the cookbook standpoint, I loved the flavors he uses. Those green and red chilies? I love anything that uses hot spices liberally.
His recipes reminded me a lot of dishes my Grandmother or mother would make. However, my laziness prevails and I gravitated toward the simpler dishes like the French Onion and Tomato Soups recipes or the Grilled cheese. I did like his San Juan Fried Lobster and Puerto Rican/Mexican Fried Chicken. Of course, the Chocolate chip cookies and the chocolate ice cubes.
As a biography, I kind of fell in love with Prinze Jr. He has a great sense of humour, has incredible self-discipline (he's a Martial Artist), and love his mama. When he spoke of his longing for his father so they could simply cook together was heartbreaking. It explains why he involves his children with his cooking.
He has his priorities in the right order and it made me realized I never gave him enough credit when I was younger. I hope Prinze Jr. comes out with another cookbook or maybe just a full fledged biography. He seems like an interesting man and I've only just touched the surface.
March 25, 2021
I was a fan of Freddie Prinze and when I first saw his son Freddie Prinze Jr. on tv I became a fan of his too, so, when I saw this cookbook at my library I grabbed it.
The book has a lot of recipes that I think I’d like to make like Thai Chicken Curry Soup, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Marinated Skirt Steak with Cherry Tomatoes and Avocado Salsa, and more.
The book has great photos of some of the food and “Secret Tricks” for a lot of them. There are some interesting stories of his family and friends. Freddie is married to actress Sarah Michelle Gellar and has two children, a boy and a girl, and there are also photos of them in the book.
I just got the book yesterday and haven’t had time to make anything yet but I will, and I’ll post about the recipes when I do.
I love this cookbook and am thinking about buying a copy. The recipes don’t have a ton of ingredients and sound easy to make, which is a big hit with me.
The book has a lot of recipes that I think I’d like to make like Thai Chicken Curry Soup, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Marinated Skirt Steak with Cherry Tomatoes and Avocado Salsa, and more.
The book has great photos of some of the food and “Secret Tricks” for a lot of them. There are some interesting stories of his family and friends. Freddie is married to actress Sarah Michelle Gellar and has two children, a boy and a girl, and there are also photos of them in the book.
I just got the book yesterday and haven’t had time to make anything yet but I will, and I’ll post about the recipes when I do.
I love this cookbook and am thinking about buying a copy. The recipes don’t have a ton of ingredients and sound easy to make, which is a big hit with me.
August 18, 2016
I was meandering through my local Barnes & Noble w/ a coupon in hand & came across this book. After flipping through & seeing recipes that sounded tasty, I decided it needed to be in my collection. I enjoy the stories he shares about his life & his cooking.
The recipes are well written for all levels of cooks. So far, I've tried the following:
Holy $#!% Pulled Pork
Roasted Chicken w/ Lemon, Lime & Orange
Both are excellent & will be served in my home again!
Next to try is Spicy Fish Tacos. :)
The recipes are well written for all levels of cooks. So far, I've tried the following:
Holy $#!% Pulled Pork
Roasted Chicken w/ Lemon, Lime & Orange
Both are excellent & will be served in my home again!
Next to try is Spicy Fish Tacos. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews