The Snacking Dead: A Parody in a Cookbook
by D.B. Walker (160 pages, Clarkson Potter)
The central conceit – a bit of ’shipping between the squirrel-eating Daryl and a fictional chef named “Pam Beaumont” – is cheesy, but recipes like Gutted Mushrooms With Bacon and Spinach or Oozing Three-Cheese Calzone stand up to TV time and are way better than a 12-pound can of chocolate pudding (or Bob’s leg). They’re as messy as splitting a zombie skull, though, so be sure to serve on a tray and remember the paper towels.
The Walking Dead midseason finale airs on AMC Sunday, Nov. 30.
The Unofficial Recipes of the Hunger Games: 187 Recipes Inspired by The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay
by Rockridge University Press (274 pages, Rockridge Press)
Sneak a batch of Mr. Mellark’s Farewell Cookies and some District 12 Jerky into the theater for Mockingjay, Part 1, or just hang out in your nice warm living room, unthreatened by President Snow, streaming the first two movies and feasting on Gale’s Venison Pot Roast and Katniss’ Favorite Fried Okra. Almost as good as a party in the Capitol.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 is in theaters now.
The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook: More Than 150 Recipes From Upstairs and Downstairs
by Emily Ansara Baines (272 pages, Adams Media)
It’s unlikely that you’ll want to eat a 15-course meal with TV remote in hand, but try sitting down with a dainty plate of Lady Mary’s Crab Canapés, a nice strong British Cheddar with some of Mrs. Patmore’s Rosemary Oat Crackers, or even just a servants’ hall-style Toad in the Hole (sterling silver tray optional).
Downton Abbey returns to PBS for Season 5 on Jan. 4, 2015.
The Portlandia Cookbook: Cook Like a Local
by Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein with Jonathan Krisel (176 pages, Clarkson Potter)
Recipes ostensibly shared with the reader by Nina and Lance, Toni and Candace, Mr. Mayor, and the Gutterpunks are in fact sourced from various Portland chefs, bartenders and bloggers. Doug and Claire’s Nacho Cheese Popcorn and Bryce and Lisa’s Spicy Garlic Pickles are both ideal TV-watching nosh, but should you feel ambitious, try out the recipe for local, sustainable, conscious, ethical Butterflied Chicken Roasted Over Bread (and by the way, his name is Colin). Remember, the fart patio is out back.
Portlandia returns to IFC for Season 5 on Jan. 8, 2015.
A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook
by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel and Sariann Lehrer (240 pages, Bantam)
Just one look at Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin makes it clear that he enjoys his food — which is, perhaps, why the descriptions of edibles in his books are so tantalizing and so plentiful. Sansa’s Lemon Cakes are the obvious choice for couch snacking, but if you’re feeling ferocious, try a Dothraki Blood Pie.
Game of Thrones Season 5 premieres on HBO in spring 2015; educated guessers predict an April return date.
The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook: Inside the Kitchens, Bars and Restaurants of Mad Men
by Judy Gelman and Peter Zheutlin (288 pages, Smart Pop)
The second half of the final season of the groundbreaking series comes to AMC next spring. What better way to toast a true TV original than with a watch party? (That way you’ll have your pick of shoulders to cry on that it’s all over and you’ll never see Peggy, Roger, Pete or Don again.) Stir up a pitcher of martinis, lay out a platter of Oysters Rockefeller, and don’t forget the chip-and-dip.
The final seven episodes of Mad Men air on AMC in spring of 2015.
Orange Is the New Black Presents: The Cookbook
by Jenji Kohan, Tara Hermann, Hartley Voss and Alex Regnery (224 pages, Abrams Image)
Red’s not the only gifted cook in Litchfield, though her recipe for Chicken Kiev is very good – but if they ever manage to catch another yardbird, Pennsatucky’s family recipe for Beer Can Bird might be the way to go. Vee’s Butternut Squash, Leek and Ginger Soup and Piper’s super-bougie Burrata Sandwich look great too, but for TV snacks, her Crack Almonds or Taystee’s Sweet & Hot Chicken Wings are more the thing. We’ll take a pass on Poussey’s Hooch, though.
Season 3 of Orange Is the New Black premieres on Netflix in summer 2015.
True Blood: Eats, Drinks and Bites From Bon Temps
by Gianna Sobol, Karen Sommer Shalett and Marcelle Bienvenu (224 pages, Chronicle Books)
Just can’t let that campy, vampy soap opera go? Before you settle in for a binge-rewatch of HBO’s dearly departed vampire series, rustle up a plate of Lettie Mae’s Holy Hoecakes, or if you’re not on the wagon like her, a few of Arlene’s Bon Temps Bloody Marys. Recipes written by a New Orleans Times-Picayune food writer and a Louisiana cooking teacher make this book a cut above the rest.
Stream True Blood Seasons 1-7 on HBO Go.
