Inspired by the television comedy on TBS of the same name, “The Last O.G. Cookbook: How to Get Mad Culinary Skills” by Tray Barker, played by Tracy Morgan, serves up wacky vittles with a side of humor and a sprinkle of pressing social issues. On the hit show, Morgan stars as Barker, an ex-convict, who returns home to Brooklyn to find his girlfriend married and his neighborhood gentrified. Morgan’s character uses his culinary skills to start anew.
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The cookbook features 80 soulful recipes with street cred while paying homage to his neighborhood. Unfortunately, I’m not as daring as Barker in the kitchen, so I’m going to stick to the non-prison foods such as the smoked fish fritters, paid nfll oxtail, Shay’s sweet and spicy mango slaw, hotep bean pie and the orange and blue juice.
In 2014, Morgan came up with the idea for “The Last O.G.” after he was involved in a serious accident that left him in a coma with an uncertain future. “I went through hell. But I ain’t come back empty-handed. When I was in that coma, God put this idea in my hands. ‘Here’s The Last O.G. for you bro. A little gift.’”
The colorful cookbook images and fun illustrations add appeal to the five sections that include: Snack Attack, The Main Line, Side Pieces, Sweet Stuff and Pour Some Out. The recipes contain lists with ingredients that are readily available with easy to read instructions. However, some of the formatting and information seem forced and unnecessary. “The Last O.G. Cookbook” takes readers on a funny high to a serious low and back again. Although I’ve never seen the TV series, I do like Barker’s quirkiness and love for food. I think the hardback can stand on its own, but it might turn off a cookbook aficionado. Fans of the show will love it.
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“The Last O.G.” comedy also stars Tiffany Haddish and Cedric the Entertainer. The cookbook is available on Amazon.
For a tease, be sure to check out my take on the hotep bean pie in our recipe section.
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