Review of The NFL Gameday Cookbook, by Ray Lampe, Chronicle Books.

Ray Lampe, a.k.a. Dr. BBQ, has put together a meaty culinary game plan for tailgaters of all stripes. Whether you’re a stadium parking lot chef or a couch potato cook, you’re bound to find something that tackles your game day appetite in this hefty new cookbook.

In case you’ve not been introduced, author Ray Lampe has been grilling professionally for more than two decades. A multiple cook-off champion, he’s also been a chef and cooking teacher, and the writer of a column for Fiery Foods magazine.

This cookbook is available for purchase at Overstock.com.

The linebacker-sized soft cover cookbook is loaded with 150 recipes. You’ll find appetizers ranging from Baked Brie with Chutney and Crisp Bacon to Screaming Yellow Salsa; main dishes like Apricot-Stuffed Pork Roast and Spicy Spare Ribs; even desserts like Pear Cobbler with Raisins.

Check out Dr. BBQ’s recipes for Nancy P.’s Smoked Cheddar Double-Baked Potatoes, Bloody Mary Chicken Wings, and Buffalo Chicken Breast Sandwiches

NFL Team Fun Facts, Too

In addition to recipes designated for each of the league’s 32 teams, the cookbook also offers NFL factoids about each team, which makes it a fun read even if you’re not planning to cook anything. It lists the name and address of each NFL stadium, the official team website, when the team joined the league, championships won, and the team’s Hall of Famers. Also noted are the signature food of each city and the name of each area’s ‘great steakhouse’ and ‘great brew.’

Lampe plots the entire NFL season gastronomically from Draft Day all the way to the Pro Bowl, organizing menus of recipes as best for Preseason, Monday Night Football, Playoffs, and of course, the Super Bowl. There’s beautiful food photography by Leigh Beisch and lots of gridiron action shots, too.

Dr. BBQ clearly knows his X’s and O’s when it comes to feeding hungry football fans. As he states near the very beginning of the book, ‘I don’t think anyone has ever watched an NFL game without eating something. I know I haven’t.’ Well, I’m not sure about that, but I’m pretty certain if you’re a football fan who’s also a fan of good food, you may want to add this playbook to your cookbook collection.