ABOUT THE BOOK

With a bravo in every bite and recipes inspired by iconic, heartwarming musical classics of the silver screen, A Few of My Favorite Things: Recipes Inspired by Family-Friendly Musicals will transform your kitchen into a culinary theater as the enchantment of music converges with tasty delights. 

Perfect for home cooks who are also movie buffs (and love a good musical), this unique cookbook will take you on a culinary adventure inspired by more than 40 timeless, family-friendly musicals from the silver screen. Sing, dance, and eat with delicious and fun recipes including Von Trapp Schnitzel with Noodles from “The Sound of Music”, Violet’s Blueberry Hand Pies from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”, One Last Time Honey Hoe Cakes from “Hamilton” and Fried Wonton Moons from “Mulan.”

Whether you’re a culinary virtuoso or just starting your kitchen journey, this unique cookbook offers an essential ingredient list, favorite kitchen tools, and easy-to-prep recipes with four-color photography and clear instructions. It’s the perfect complement to movie night! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Veeda Bybee is an Asian American author of fiction and nonfiction. She is a former journalist with a BA in communications (print journalism) from Brigham Young University and holds an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the author of several books for young readers, including Shining a Light: Celebrating 40 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Who Changed the World, and a contributor to the YA anthology Rural Voices and middle grade anthology Calling the Moon. Veeda lives in Nevada with her family where she reads, writes, and bakes, while singing along with musical soundtracks.

TALKING POINTS

• The benefits we learned from sheltering in place as a family during the pandemic and how we can continue spending time together in a fun way
• The value of music and the arts as a healing tool, even during stressful times
• The bonding benefits of cooking – and eating – as a family
• How this curated selection of musicals can help families diversify their cuisine choices (and vice versa!)
• Different ways families can create their own unique movie/dinner combinations
• Creativity in its myriad of expressions – marrying music, film and food
• Quiz show: Name that musical or Name that food

TIMELY TIE-INS

January

• Opening on Broadway of Oliver – 6  (Oliver / Pick Pocket Bread Pudding)
• Lin-Manuel Miranda’s birthday – 16 (Hamilton / One Last Time Honey Hoe Cakes)
• National Chocolate Cake Day – 22 (Matilda / One More Slice Chocolate Cake)
• Sundance Film Festival – January 23 – February 2
• National Pie Day – 23 (Bugsy Malone / Dandy Dan’s Banoffee Pie)

February

• Celebration of Chocolate Month  (Frozen/ Warms Hug’s Frozen Cocoa)
• National Dark Chocolate Day – 1 (Willy Wonka/ Chocolate River Torte)
• National Homemade Soup Day – 4 (Turning Red/ Lazy Morning Congee)
• Iconic Movie Scores Day – 8 (Beauty and the Beast/ Baroque French Toast Sticks)
• Broadwaycon (in NYC) – 7-9 (The Sound of Music/ Von Trapp Schnitzel with Noodles)
• Let’s All Eat Right Day – 25 (Hercules/ Hermes’s Greek Meatballs)

March

• The Academy Awards – 2 (Encanto/ That Guy We Don’t Talk About’s Triple Milk Rice Pudding)
• National Pancakes Day – 4 (Singing in the Rain/ Good Morning Puffy Oven Pancakes)
• Opening on Broadway of My Fair Lady – 15 (My Fair Lady/ Uncle Albert Bubble and Squeak Patties)
• National Noodle Month (Lilo and Stitch/ Hawaiian Mac Salad)