The spicy aroma of cardamom and orange zest wafts from my oven. Before this aptly named Pickpocket Cardamom Bread Pudding can make it to a plate, I steal a small taste. Wow. A recipe from local author Veeda Bybee’s new musical-inspired cookbook, A Few of My Favorite Things, is one of my favorite bites this week. Considering that I spent the last seven days at many high-profile restaurant openings along our famous boulevard, that’s quite a feat.
Bybee says the idea for the book started during the COVID pandemic, when her family was looking for ways to fight the monotony. One night, they sat down together to watch the live stage recording of Hamilton. They loved it, and that sparked a new family tradition; the Las Vegas mother and author called it Family Musical Fridays. They would watch a family-friendly musical each week and cook meals either mentioned during, or relevant to the time period of, the story. Says Bybee, “This cookbook is great for families or anyone who appreciates musicals and creating a memorable meal.”
As I tested many of the recipes, I found helpful tips, like rubbing the orange zest into the sugar, in the bread pudding instructions, to infuse the citrus flavor before finishing the custard. Also, the ingredients in the recipes are easy to obtain, and the explanations are simple to follow. This is a fun find for home cooks who want to turn their kitchens into a Broadway stage and truly make it a place for dancing. It’s not challenging for an advanced chef, but I appreciated the creativity of the sections organized into Overture, Opening Number, Act I, Intermission, Act II, and Finale (desserts!).
And for those who plan to join the pride at The Lion King at The Smith Center this fall, you’ll be feeling the love tonight if you decide to bake the “No Worries Banana Bread.” My 1-year-old gave a standing ovation when I offered him a bite. Hakuna matata!
A Few of My Favorite Things
Veeda Bybee
176 pages, $23.99
Shadow Mountain Publishing
