If you need further proof that Vincent Price was god’s gift to the world, here’s further evidence: Slate.com’s Paul Collins dug up a copy of the Vincent Price penned cookbook, A Treasury of Great Recipes, and put it through the paces in a single day of period cooking. I, personally, would love to get my hands on this book, which sells at collector prices. Yet, as much as I love to cook, I doubt that I would ever make something found in this tome of gourmet cooking. Instead, I would probably put it on display somewhere to show off the sheer irony of a cookbook by Vincent Price that is the farthest thing from fiendish. Here’s a taste:
And lunch was easily plotted. As it turns out, Price was rather partial to ballpark hot dogs, and the full-page photo of the horror icon at Dodger Stadium is all the reason you need to fire up the grill. “There is nothing more soul-satisfying than the first succulent bite into the juicy frankfurter,” he writes—and if you can read that without hearing it in Price’s most fey voice, you’re beyond hope.
Price and I should have hung out. In spite of my current mission to lose a little weight, I pine endlessly for a Nathan’s dog or two (or three). It’s trivia like this that makes me gaga for Vincent Price. Collins’ article about Price’s book is a joy to read and I think captures the essence of what makes Vincent Price an enduring icon. He seemed to love everything he did in life, he loved his William Castle and Corman roles, he loved being Egghead on Batman and loved fine food and travelling to find it. A Treasury of Great Recipes is the result of his travels.
Copies of this book are available used on Amazon, in fantastic condition, I’m sure. They fetch no less than $250 so it’s a safe bet that I’ll never own a copy of that book but drop by Slate and read the article. It’s awesome. I need to find recipes of some Price’s favorite alcoholic beverages, too. I’m sure those kick ass as well. There’s one in an old issue of Dan Taylor’s awesome fanzine, The Hungover Gourmet.
August 21, 2008 11:46 am
I agree, there can never be enough reasons to love Price. His love of everything he did also made him something like the Anti-Christopher-Lee, I think.
August 21, 2008 1:15 pm
Thanks for the plug Bryan… and a nice appreciation of Price. As for the book, it must have really skyrocketed. As recently as a year or so ago you could grab a copy on eBay for about $40. Not signed like mine (sorry, had to gloat) but it’s a worthy addition to any cook/horror buff’s library.
August 22, 2008 11:35 am
I’m telling ya, you have got to see the Vincent Price Biography from A&E… not sure where you can get your hands on it outside of The Fly box set, but it will really give you an idea of what an amazing man Vincent Price really was. So much more than a horror actor, he was a passionate man that should be remembered for as much for his contirbutions to the art and culinary worlds as he is for his craft. A true hero.
August 26, 2008 5:43 pm
If I never agree with a thing you write on your webpage (yeah, right), this alone gives you a pass. Anyone that loves VP as much as I do can’t be all wrong. I’ve thought about time & time again getting a copy of this. I still haven’t yet but am going to.
And Dave! is right, the VP Biography is great. I remember recording it on VHS when it came out. It’s got good stuff and lots of info.