Music. Food. Puns.
The combination of these became a trademark in my professional culinary life. Finding the appropriate musical pun or reference for a new menu item or daily special was an obsession. It continues to be even after retiring from pro cooking. I have amassed a large collection of music inspired recipes over the years and have decided it’s time to publish a few – kind of a Music Recipes For The Masses project.
I welcome any and all suggestions, feedback and requests. YES! If you send me a music food pun and I’ll make a suitable recipe. You can drop me a line HERE.
By the More Recipes About Music & Food zines at Shop Of The Pops
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BORN SLOPPY TACOS
Turkey mushroom sloppy joe, Pepper jack cheese, and vinegar slaw on a flour tortilla
PANIC IN DETROIT
Seitan sausage, seitan coney sauce, white onion, and yellow mustard on a potato roll
EDAM I WISH I WAS YOUR SLIDER
A guide to making deep-fried Edam cheese and then using it to make sliders
CUBAN BEANHAVIOR
Cuban black beans, corn salsa, and muenster cheese on a Cuban roll (or sub roll)
CURRY ON WAYWARD SPUDS (THERE’LL BE CHEESE WHEN YOU ARE DONE)
Twice fried chips, curry sauce, & fried Edam cheese on a slider roll
THE BAD DECISION
Beef hot dog, pepper jack, fried egg, & chili crisp on a potato roll
KILLING MISO SOFTLY WITH HIS SOUP
Gochujang seitan, white miso, baby bok choy, scallions, enoki mushrooms, and carrots
SGT. PEPPERJACK’S LONELY CHAR DOG WITH HAM
Hot dog, pepper jack crisp, black forest ham, and yellow mustard
THEIR SEITANIC MAJESTIES REQUEST CHILI
Chorizo style seitan, black beans, guajillo chile paste, peppers, and onions in a tomato sauce
I’M A FUNGI (MELT!)
Marinated Portobello mushrooms, Horsey Sauce, sweet onion, scallions, red pepper, poblano pepper, jalapeno, and provolone on a sub roll
GOBBLE GOBBLE HEY!
Turkey mushroom burger, Swiss cheese, remoulade, and tomato onion jamp on grilled sourdough
(EVEN) MORE CUBAN THAN CUBAN
Mojo pork, honey ham, swiss cheese, bread & butter pickles, and Dijon mustard on grilled country bread
CAN’T CURRY LOVE
Red curry paste, coconut milk, onion, peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, and mushroom served over rice
ROGUE BAGEL
Hasselback bagel, garlic butter, mozzarella
DEVIL INSIDE LASAGNA
Chorizo spiced seitan, mushrooms, mozzarella, ricotta, asiago, tomato sauce, and lasagna noodles
MOJO THUNDER BREAKFAST TACOS
Crispy mojo pork, fried potatoes, Rock Candy jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, and scrambled egg on a flour tortilla
SEOUL FOOD TOAST
Egg, cabbage, onion, carrot, scallion, American cheese, sugar, sweet chili sauce, and mayo on toasted bread
LOS CHICHARRONS
Deep-fried oven-dried pork skin with Buffalo spice
GOT MY MOJO WORKING (INSTANT POT MIX)
Pork shoulder, garlic, orange, grapefruit, lime, and chipotle
DILL COMMUNICATION
Spicy dill pickles made with fresh dill, garlic, and Chile D’Arbol
LIFE IS A MINESTRONE
Zucchini, carrots, potatoes, Cannelini beans, baby spinach, Napa cabbage, chard, and Ditalini pasta
EGG DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT & SOUR SOUP
Hot & sour soup with Baby Bella & Shittake mushrooms, Napa cabbage, tofu, and egg ribbons
EDAMAME SAID KNOCK YOU OUT
Edamame guacamole, Mayak egg, furikake seasoning, and turmeric ginger salt pickle on toasted sourdough
KETAMINE FOR BREAKFAST
Beef hot dog, pimento cheese, scrambled eggs and crushed Takis on a potato bun
CHEESES OF SUBURBIA
Shell pasta, béchamel, extra sharp cheddar, muenster, mozzarella
BLACK BEAN CAUGHT STEALING CHILI
Black beans, peppers, onions, tomato, garlic, chipotle, cheddar, sour cream, scallions, Aleppo pepper and Fritos
CORN THIS WAY CHOWDER
Corn chowder, cashew crema, scallions, and Aleppo pepper
BLANK FLANK TACOS
Java Jive flank steak, Diablo sauce, grilled peppers and onion, queso fresco or feta on a flour tortilla
SEITAN SAID DANCE
Sundried tomato & mushroom seitan, walnut pate, B&B pickle slaw, and sambal mayo on a baguette
SWEET CHILI O’ MINE
Less sugar – more spice – better than a certain “RedHot” product
RICK SZECHUAN
Rick would forget about that Mulan sauce if he had this recipe
HOT BLOODED (CHICKEN & SEA)
A quick Cajun rub perfect for poultry and fish
TACO SPICE
Better than anything you’ll buy in a store for the perfect Midwest Taco Night
BUFFALO SPICE
A spice mix perfect for all your Buffalo-style cooking needs (especially great on cauliflower and chicken)
THE MOBY D
Black bean burger, Muenster cheese, napa cabbage pickle slaw, bread & butter pickles, mayo, & mustard on a potato roll
FREESTYLER BREAD PUDDING (SAVORY MIX)
Bread (challah, brioche, whole wheat), egg, milk, corn, peppers, scallions, and Pepper Jack Cheese
STRAY KATSU STRUT
Chicken katsu, pickle slaw, and tonkatsu sauce on crustless brioche bread
GREAT WHITE BUFFALO SALAD
Buffalo roasted cauliflower, celery, carrot, Gorgonzola, hot sauce, Ranch dressing over baby spinach
KUNG PAO FIGHTING
Cauliflower, peppers, scallions, peanuts, and chiles over rice
THE EGG SPAM
Buffalo Spice grilled SPAM, fried egg, cheese, and sambal mayo on a bulkie roll
DIRTY RICE BOY
Hot Blooded Chicken, Kinda Like Dirty Rice, BBQ sauce, Rock Candy Jalapeno & scallion on a sub roll
MAMA, I JUST GRILLED A SPAM
Buffalo Spice grilled SPAM, grilled pineapple, spicy mustard, and cheddar on a bulkie roll
HOT LEGS
Chicken leg quarters, Hot Leg spice, & sweet chili sauce
FENNEL OF LOVE
Fennel, apple, green cabbage, carrot, vinegar slaw dressing
LET IT BEEF
Java Jive dusted Roast Beef, grilled fennel, grilled onion, and Horsey Sauce on a bulkie roll
THE SALAD OF DIJON & YOLKO
Hardboiled egg, avocado, red onion, jalapeno, tomato, lime juice, sea salt, & Aleppo pepper on toasted whole wheat
GUAC ON
Avocado, red onion, jalapeno, tomato, and lime juice
HELL’S BALLS
Chipotle seitan balls, Nacho Whiz, salsa, sea salt, and Aleppo pepper on a sub roll
SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVILED EGGS
Hard-boiled egg, Pimento cheese, mayo, pickled jalapeno, paprika
BURRITO SUAVE
Chili Con Tofu, rice, cheddar, pico de gallo, nacho whiz, and sour cream in a flour tortilla
MORE CUBAN THAN CUBAN
Mojo roast pork, honey ham, Genoa salami, swiss cheese, bread & butter pickles, carrot pickles, & mustard sauce on a pressed roll
HEY SLOPPY JOE (WHERE YOU GOIN’ WITH THAT BUN IN YOUR HAND?)
Turkey sloppy joe, red pepper, poblano, jalapeno, onions, yellow mustard, cashew whiz, pickled red cabbage & a fried egg on a bulkie roll
NOTHING COMPARES 2 BLUE
Buffalo chicken salad, Gorgonzola dressing, Gorgonzola crumbles, carrot pickles, & baby spinach on a toasted bulkie roll
CAULIFLOWER DREAMIN’
Buffalo roasted cauliflower, Buffalo sauce, blue cheese dressing, carrot pickles, and Aleppo pepper on a soft sub roll
MR. BRIGHTSIDE DOG
Hot dog, bun, no toppings
HANOI ROCKS HOT DOG
All beef hot dog, Sambal mayo, pickled vegetables, cucumber, jalapeno, scallions
PEACE OF MIND DOG
All beef hot dog, baked beans, scallions, and yellow mustard on a potato roll
BUFFALO STANCE DOG
All beef hot dog, blue cheese dressing, carrot pickles and cayenne hot sauce on a toasted bun
SWEET OBLIVION DOG
All beef hot dog, cream cheese, fried onions & sauerkraut, pickled jalapenos, yellow mustard, hot sauce
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE DOG
All beef hot dog, fried potatoes, peppers & onions, spicy mustard
NO SLEEP ‘TIL BROOKLYN DOG
All beef hot dog, NY onion sauce, sauerkraut, and spicy brown mustard
DON’T YOU KNOW I’M DORILOCO?
Doritos Nacho Cheese, jalapeno pickle slaw, carrot pickles, cauliflower taco crumbles, tajin peanuts, sour gummy bears, Valentina hot sauce, Chamoy sauce, lime juice, Tajin, sea salt
UNDERGROUND DOG
All beef hot dog, chicken chili, jalapeno pickle slaw, yellow mustard
DOUBLE DOWN CHILI
Chicken and peppers in a Pasilla chile-spiked Coffee & Stout sauce with Colby Jack, sour cream, and scallions
SOY DIVISION TACOS
Tofu bulgogi, Napa Cabbage Kimchee, Red Cabbage Kimchee, taco sauce, roasted corn, Cotija cheese, and scallions on a toasted flour tortilla
THE CHEESY LOVER
Three cheese grilled cheese (Swiss, Muenster, & Mozzarella) with Roasted Tomato Soup
MEXICAN RADIO DOG
All beef hot dog, carrot pickles, Rock Candy Jalapenos, lime sour cream, Chamoy, Valentina hot sauce, Cotija cheese, and Tajin seasoning
ROCK CANDY JALAPENOS
Red and green jalapenos, sweet onion, Bread & Butter pickle brine
FRIED EGG I’M IN LOVE
Two over-easy eggs, Muenster cheese, Chili Hoisin tofu, mayo, and BBQ or hot sauce on a pretzel bagel
BIG IN JAPAN DOG
Sauteed cabbage and onion, Okonomiyaki sauce, Kinda Like Kewpie mayo, red pickled ginger, and nori strips
DETROIT ROCK CITY CONEY ISLAND
Grilled all-beef hot dog, Detroit Coney Island meat sauce, diced white onions and yellow mustard on a soft hot dog bun
GOING BACK TO CAULI HOT POCKETS
Buffalo cauliflower, tomato pesto, mozzarella, and Ranch dressing in a puff pastry
MOTHER & CHILD REUNION TACOS
Frambled eggs, chicken fajita, pickled jalapenos and sour cream on flour tortillas
PASTAMAN VIBRATION
Tri-color rotini, red pepper, orange pepper, yellow pepper, sun-dried tomato and scallions in a red wine vinaigrette topped with sea salt, Aleppo pepper & Gorgonzola
ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK
All beef hot dog, lime slaw, Thai chile relish, peanut sauce, and sambal mayo
BOWLING FOR CHICKEN SOUP
Homemade chicken stock, chicken, red pepper, carrot, celery, onions, red potatoes, and Ro-Tel tomatoes
CAULIFLOWER LOVE TORTILLA CUPS
Cauliflower mushroom taco crumbles, roasted tomatillo salsa, queso fresco, lime sour cream, Aleppo pepper flakes
PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR CHUTNEY
All beef hot dog, pear chutney, potato hot dog bun
BANG BANG MAC
Shell pasta, Cheddar, Muenster, Mozzarella, Bang Bang Sauce, broccoli
CHEESE CHEESE ME
Two smashed beef burgers, American cheese, bread & butter pickles, yellow mustard and mayo on a potato roll
TRY A LITTLE CHICKEN TENDERNESS
Pretzel coated baked chicken tenders with Szechuan sauce
PARMA CHAMELEON
Parmesan crusted chicken breast, marinara, and mozzarella on a Portuguese roll
ZENYATTA FRITTATA
Eggs, muenster, grilled asparagus, peppers, and red onion served with sourdough toast
GRILLING IN THE NAME
Asparagus, red pepper, poblano, cremini mushroom, red onion, cheddar and lime sour cream on a flour tortilla
ORANGE CRUSH
Cold-brewed orange syrup and seltzer
ORANGE IS THE NEW SHERBET
Fresh squeezed orange juice, orange zest, whole milk, heavy cream, and vanilla
I BROCCOLI MELT WITH YOU
Charred broccoli, mozzarella, pecorino, lemon juice, Aleppo pepper and basil on whole grain flatbread
CRUNCHY GRANOLA SWEET
Rolled oats, almonds, pepitas, sunflower seeds, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, clove, ginger, vanilla
GOOEY PEANUT BUTTER VIBE
Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies
AIN’T TOO PROUD TO EGG
Fried eggs, chorizo, Colby jack cheese, pickled jalapenos and hot sauce on an onion bagel
SHE DRIVES ME CAPRESE
Fresh mozzarella, plum tomato, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil on toasted sourdough
J. QUESA DILLA
Chorizo, chicken, peppers, and cheese on flour tortillas
STEW ARE YOU
Mushrooms, carrots, onions, celery, and peas in a vegetable stock gravy
MIGAS STIR FRY
Scrambled eggs, fried corn tortillas, chorizo, fried rice, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, and pickled jalapenos
SWEET BIRD OF TRUTH (TACO REMIX)
Candied Jalapeno BBQ chicken and Jalapeno Pickle Slaw on a corn tortilla
APPLES & ORANGES
Cawston Press Cloudy Apple, fresh blood orange juice, ice
RICE RICE BABY
Fried rice with onions, peppers, corn, peas, and scallions
LIME RIKKI DON’T LOSE THAT NUMBER
Cold-brewed Lime Ginger syrup, Hudson Standard Ginger bitters, seltzer
BEAT ON THE BRATWURST
Grilled bratwurst, Tomatillo Chow, spicy mustard, & hot sauce on a garlic bread roll
MAKES ME WANNA STOUP
Black beans, peppers, onions, corn, and scallions
RUBY TACO
Ruby Soho chicken, Tomatillo Chow and queso fresco on flour tortillas
SWEET BIRD OF TRUTH
Sweet BBQ pulled chicken and Pickle Slaw on a Portuguese roll
AMERICAN CHOP SUEY
Pasta, onion, peppers, tomato, garlic, pecorino
SMELLS LIKE BEAN SPIRIT
Black bean & corn taco salad, feta, croutons, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, chili-lime dressing, sea salt, Aleppo pepper
CHEESES BUILT MY HOTROD
Roasted jalapeno cream cheese, gouda & pickled jalapeno on sourdough
NACHO NACHO MAN
Chili, chips, Colby jack & cheddar cheese, pickled jalapenos, lime sour cream, scallions
CHILI DON’T BE A HERO
Tofu, black beans, guajillo chili paste, peppers, onions, sour cream, cheddar, scallions, pickled jalapeno
YOU CAN TUNE A PIANO, BUT YOU CAN’T TUNA MELT
Tuna salad, BBQ potato chips, provolone & pecorino on grilled sourdough bread
MONKEY BREAD MUFFIN IN YOUR SOUL
Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls baked into Mini Monkey Bread Muffins
MULE ALWAYS FIND ME IN THE KITCHEN AT PARTIES
Swig + Swallow Moscow Mule mixer, Hudson Standard Ginger bitters, seltzer
DONUTS MAKE MY BROWN EYES BLUE
Cinnamon roll dough, cinnamon sugar
NOJITO, NO PROBLEMS
Swig + Swallow Mojito Cocktail Mixer, seltzer
BREAKFAST IN AMERICA TACO
Frambled eggs, yellow cheddar, pico de gallo, roasted red potatoes, pickled jalapeno, Aleppo pepper flakes, sea salt, flour tortilla
LEMON GLOW
Lemon syrup, Woodford Reserve Spiced Cherry Bitters, seltzer
TACO ‘BOUT LE POISSON
Pan-fried tilapia, fresh pepper salsa, remoulade, flour tortilla
TOASTFACE KILLAH
Pimento cheese deviled eggs, tomato onion jam, wilted spinach, Aleppo pepper, and pink sea salt on toast
DO YOU LIKE BEAN ENCHILADAS
Black beans, peppers, onions, cheddar cheese, enchilada sauce, flour tortillas
HEY MAN NICE SHOT
Fresh ginger juice, juniper syrup, Fee Brothers orange bitters
SORREL NOT SORREL
Sorrel, Cawston Press Ginger Beer
SHAWARMA POLICE
Chicken shawarma, sauce, feta, tomato, red onion, baby spinach, flatbread
HUMMUSAPIEN
Roasted red pepper hummus, baby spinach, green apple, red onion, plum tomato, carrot ribbons and Aleppo pepper flakes on sourdough
MY ORZO WEIGHS A TON
Orzo pasta, peppers, scallions, sundried tomato, feta & red wine vinaigrette
STRANGE BREW
Owl’s Brew Pink & Black, Bittermen’s ‘Elemakule Tiki Bitters, Woodford Reserve Spiced Cherry Bitters
UNDERNEATH THE APPLE TREE
Cawston Press Cloudy Apple & Bar Keep Fennel Bitters
WE DON’T NEED ANOTHER GYRO
Greek seasoned seitan, tzatziki, feta, tomato, red onion, and baby spinach on flatbread
LORD OF THE FRIES
Oven fries, black bean chili, pepper jack, sour cream, scallions, Aleppo pepper flakes & hot sauce
SORREL SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD
Sorrel, ginger bitters, clove cocktail spice
THAI YOUR MOTHER DOWN
Thai roasted cauliflower, pickled vegetables, cucumber, peanut sauce and Aleppo pepper flakes on a bulkie roll
DON’T YOU FORGET A BANH MI
Crispy BBQ tofu, charred broccoli, pickled vegetables & BBQ kewpie mayo on a whole grain sub roll
OPEN SESAME NOODLES
Spaghetti, peanut sauce, Sambal Olek, scallions
BORN ON THE BAYOU
Blackened Cajun catfish, pickled slaw and remoulade on grilled sourdough
SECRET ENCHANTED BROCCOLI TOTS
Broccoli, scallions & cheddar cheese in tot form
MORNING GLORY
Frambled eggs, Not Really Refried Black Beans, Sweet chili sauce, tomato & scallion on a sub roll
THIS BREAD IS BANANAS
a simple banana bread even a non-baker can make
QUINOA TIFAH
Quinoa balls, marinara sauce & mozzarella on a sub roll
EMPEROR TOMATO KETCHUP
Fresh tomato and caramelized onion jam
THE DARK SIDE OF THE SHROOM
Crimini Sloppy Joe, Vinegar Slaw, Mustard & Pickles on a bulkie roll