Clueless: The Official Cookbook

This title comes out one year ahead of the 30th anniversary of the classic movie Clueless. Laidlaw, who has written several media-tie in cookbooks (including the forthcoming Rocky Horror Picture Show Cookbook), provides readers with recipes inspired by the teen comedy, a cult-favorite adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma. The creatively named recipes include Gnarly Skateboarder’s Breakfast Sandos, Party in the Valley Pretzel Bites, Root Beer “Pool Party” Floats, and more, while stressing Southern California cuisine. The book is also filled with stills and quotes from the film (e.g., “total Betty” and “he’s getting her digits”) and nods toward early ’90s food fads such as turkey bacon and mango salsa. The collection provides clear cooking instructions and fun references and might be ideal for readers wanting to put together a dinner-and-a-movie party for nostalgic Generation Xers, or perhaps their children. While an amusing browse with some solid recipes, the book is likely more a gift item for Clueless fans rather than a work that would stay on library shelves for decades.