If You Can't Stand The Heat Cookbook

Robert Medina’s “If You Can’t Stand the Heat” ~ Cookbook & Seasoning [Giveaway, Ended 12/19]

December 13, 2012COMtnMom

If You Can't Stand The Heat Cookbook

An adventure and a tasty delight, retired firefighter Robert Medina brings classic New Orleans fare as well as many original firefighter recipes right to your anywhere kitchen with the cookbook “If You Can’t Stand the Heat”.

I walked away from this review with a number of things I now value.  My first roux making experience.  A recipe for my new favorite spice combination (Flashover Seasoning – more on that below).  A new, interesting, and fun Disney-loving friend acquired.  Oh, and how could I forget… finally knowing how to make some amazing fish tacos at home!

I met cookbook author Robert Medina on Twitter.  There he was, just tweeting away about Disney (kinda like me).  His profile intrigued me:  He is a retired New Orleans firefighter, now living close to the Magic in Florida.  I just had to check out his recipes in If You Can’t Stand the Heat for myself.

If You Can’t Stand the Heat ~ Firehouse Origins

If you’ve ever known any firefighters, you know they have long shifts where they live at the station.  A camaraderie develops for many reasons – one of which most certainly has to be the big portion cooking going on in the kitchen.

The New Orleans firefighters in Robert’s station seriously lucked out.  His culinary skills blossomed in this arena (and there after, cooking for friends), and he’s now shared some of his best in the cookbook If You Can’t Stand the HeatOh, I can STAND this kind of delicious heat…

Shrimp Fettuccine Diablo ~ rich, creamy, & decadent … with just a little kick

If You Can’t Stand the Heat ~ Firehouse Flashover Creole Seasoning

If you’ve done any Cajun cooking, it usually revolves around some concoction of spices you mix together and use liberally.  Robert’s version is called Firehouse Flashover Creole Seasoning, and is used in many of his recipes.

Firehouse-Flashover-Seasoning

I had a good feeling about this Flashover Seasoning, and was very excited to get my hands on the recipe for it (it is included in the If You Can’t Stand the Heat cookbook).  Unlike other Cajun mixes I’ve tried … it also has a little green in it – thyme, basil, and oregano (the French New Orleans influence, perhaps?) and it does not disappoint.

December 2012 UPDATE:  Exciting news!  Since the original date of this review post, you now no longer need to mix up Flashover Seasoning yourselfNew Orleans Original Firehouse Flashover Creole Seasoning is currently available for purchase here, for only $5.95 per bottle (plus S & H).

Check it out.  I tried the recipe for cilantro dressing, needed to complete the coleslaw mixture that tops the fish tacos.  Oh my.  Words cannot express how delicious this meal was! 

fish tacos with cilantro coleslaw
Fish Tacos with Cilantro Infused Coleslaw – my new favorite meal.

 

I was so impressed with myself that I made this.  Ok, Robert told me how.  He can tell you, too, if you’d like.

If You Can’t Stand the Heat ~ Recipes

I love that there is an entire section on Sauces,  Stocks, and Seasonings.  Make no mistake, this was written by a true food lover, and the flavor explosions abound!

It’s not just Cajun and Creole inspired cooking though, there is a nice variety included.  Robert features some Chinese recipes, pasta recipes, stuffed artichokes, lots of creative ideas for fish and shrimp, the list goes on and on … Mmmmm.

He lost me at the recipe calling for “2 whole rabbits, cut up” – it seems some of his buddies at the station were hunters.  But hey … you never cook every single recipe in a cook book, right?

If You Can’t Stand the Heat Cookbook sections include:

  • Sauces, Stocks, & Seasonings
  • Soups, Salads, & Sandwiches
  • Appetizers, Sides, & Snacks
  • Entrees
  • Desserts
mandarin chicken with lettuce
Mandarin Chicken – only found in Louisiana.  And Robert’s cookbook!

Robert has a great writing style – helpful, witty, informative without being too wordy.  Some of the creations were a little challenging for me, I’ll admit.  But he walks you through it in such a down to earth manner, that anyone can pull it off.  Overall, it’s just a really fun experience.

If You Can’t Stand the Heat ~ Where to Purchase

You can save $5 when  you purchase the If You Can’t Stand the Heat cookbook directly from Robert – available for $24.95 (plus S & H) vs $29.99 in bookstores.  I highly recommend it, as it’s unique from any cookbook I’ve ever seen.  It’s certainly spiced up my kitchen!  What a great present for that culinary-loving friend,  yourself, or that someone who cooks for you.

And get this:  there’s a place on the online order form to enter “Autographed Copy to Read” – so the author can customize and personally sign your cookbook for free!  Love that.

Need one last great reason to try this cookbook?  10% of the proceeds from all sales is donated (exclusively from Robert’s portion, I might add) to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.   Because that’s the kind of guy Robert is.

Check out his cookbook, you’ll thoroughly enjoy it.  And watch his Facebook page for mouthwatering food pictures.  And as a final teaser, I can tell you that he’s working on book #2 and I’ve been told it will include photos…

The Giveaway

(NOTE:  This review was originally posted in February 2012, but in honor of Robert’s new New Orleans Original Firehouse Flashover Creole Seasoning  being available for purchase, we are now hosting another giveaway.)

If You Can't Stand The Heat Cookbook

Robert has generously offered to personally sign a copy of his “If You Can’t Stand the Heat” cookbook, and mail it to one of my winning readers!  Enter using the form below.

Open to US residents.

*o*     *o*     *o*

I received a complimentary copy of “If You Can’t Stand the Heat”.  All opinions are my own.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments (66)

  • Wendi

    February 20, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    I am hoping that the gumbo recipe is in there. yummy. I also like that A portion of all proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

    1. Robert Medina

      December 13, 2012 at 2:48 pm

      Yes Wendy, there are two gumbo recipes in the book. One for seafood and the other for chicken .

      1. COMtnMom

        December 13, 2012 at 5:09 pm

        CHECK IT OUT, you guys! The author will answer questions if you’ve got them… 🙂

  • Marthalynn

    February 20, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    I think the author's story of his different occupations and what led him to publish this book is extremely interesting!

  • Mrs. Bacon

    February 20, 2012 at 9:38 pm

    desserts are always my biggest interest and lord knows that firefighters like to eat good food. My brother is one and lord can his crew eat!

  • kitblu

    February 20, 2012 at 10:24 pm

    I am most interested in spice mixes, especially the one you mentioned. I love to try new recipes.

  • janetfaye

    February 20, 2012 at 11:35 pm

    I am interested in the fish recipes.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

  • Trista Zollars

    February 22, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    Love that is is honestly benefiting someone when you buy it!
    tristazmail yahoo com

  • Sunnie

    February 23, 2012 at 2:33 am

    I just like to bake and cook and try new recipes, thanks for the giveaway.
    sunniewoodyplus2 atmsn.com

  • ani hearts japan

    February 23, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    I love that 10% goes towards the Fallen Firefighters. My hubby is a firefighter and that is something that is close to my heart!

    aniwilsonintx at hotmail dot com

  • Rachel M

    February 23, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    I like to try new recipes, and love New Orleans cooking! Thanks for the giveaway!

    -rachelm59@yahoo.com

  • pmj

    February 24, 2012 at 1:46 am

    I love all the fish recipes!

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  • ♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬

    February 25, 2012 at 7:14 am

    New Orleans has the best food in the world! Is there a Bananas Foster recipe in the book?
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  • ♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬

    February 25, 2012 at 7:14 am

    New Orleans has the best food in the world! Is there a Bananas Foster recipe in the book?
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  • ♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬

    February 25, 2012 at 7:14 am

    New Orleans has the best food in the world! Is there a Bananas Foster recipe in the book?
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  • ♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬

    February 25, 2012 at 7:14 am

    New Orleans has the best food in the world! Is there a Bananas Foster recipe in the book?
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  • Diana

    February 25, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    I would love to learn how to cook fish
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

  • Randa @ The Bewitchin’ Kitchen

    February 25, 2012 at 4:33 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Randa @ The Bewitchin’ Kitchen

    February 25, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    I'm interested in the spices…and just trying new things.

  • LaurenBear

    February 25, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    My fiancee is a firefighter and I'm a 911 dispatcher. We love that some proceeds go to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. We are also amateur foodies. I love cajun food (fried pickles anyone?!) but have never given it a whirl at home. Thank you for hosting this giveaway!

    Lauren Bear
    @laurenbear220
    laurenbbear(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Missy L

    February 25, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    I've never made Gumbo before and would love to try that recipe. I really love appetizers too so that section would probably be the first I look at.

  • jaragabrielle

    February 26, 2012 at 12:10 am

    Im interested in the fish recipes!
    Jara Christensen

    jaragabrielle1018@gmail.com

  • Sherry T

    February 26, 2012 at 1:33 am

    I live about 30 minutes away from New Orleans and I love the fact that 10% goes to the National Fallen Firefighters foundation! I also love that it is signed!!!

  • Karla

    February 26, 2012 at 1:50 am

    I don't know much about New Orleans cooking so this would be great to have

  • DebbyM

    February 26, 2012 at 3:09 am

    First, love the fact that part of proceeds go to the Fallen Firefighters….I think that's awesome! I would like to try hi seasoning mix…and would love a good gumbo. New Orleans is on my bucket list…would love to know what I have in store for me! =)

    Thanks

  • Zombiemommy

    February 26, 2012 at 3:52 am

    I love cajun cooking, I put Tony Chacheres on everything and my grandma's name was Blanche and was from Louisiana.

    Would love to get some new recipes.

  • Emily

    February 26, 2012 at 4:14 am

    Love to try new recipes with sea foods.

  • MJD’s Mommy

    February 26, 2012 at 7:02 am

    I am a relatively new cook and need all the help I can get, lol!

    Kelly L

  • sarah Boudreaux

    February 26, 2012 at 7:51 am

    all of it im orginally from mississippi and southeast texas so always in LA and love my cajun roots!

  • Saida

    February 26, 2012 at 8:18 am

    I love spicy food and I would love to try Cajun recipes,

  • riadeliza

    February 26, 2012 at 10:42 am

    Im interested in the "Sauces, Stocks, & Seasonings" part.

  • Beau

    February 26, 2012 at 1:25 pm

    I am a Louisiana gal and I like spice so bring on the spicy recipes! I love how the book supports Fallen Firefighters!

    heyfrugalmommy at hotmail dot com

  • Mammamayor

    February 26, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    The soup salad and sandwhiches section sound great thank you!
    natbelinsky@verizon.net

  • Summer

    February 26, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    I would love to read the Sauces, Stocks, and Seasonings section

  • KaeliH

    February 26, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    I just love spicy food. I like that they donate to the fallen firefighters fund.

  • Clair

    February 26, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    I'm always interested in new recipes! I would love to be able to make a good gumbo!!

  • eclairre

    February 26, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    I would love to learn how to cook more food cajun style!

  • Brittany Boardley Renaldi

    February 27, 2012 at 1:31 am

    I would love to know how to make some spice mixes!
    britibee@gmail.com

  • beautytolove

    February 27, 2012 at 2:51 am

    -I like all of the fish recipes

    Email: starseeds88 (at) yahoo dot com
    THANKS!! 🙂

  • beautytolove

    February 27, 2012 at 2:54 am

    -I'm Subscribed to You in Google Reader (RSS)
    -I'm Subscribed to You with this Email: aliaskys (at) yahoo dot com

    THANKS! 🙂

  • Sunnie

    December 13, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway, Id like to try some gumbo or fish recipes. I like my food spicy

  • Debby

    December 15, 2012 at 1:14 am

    I’d like to make the Shrimp Creole (love Eggplant Creole…been making it for years and can’t remember whose recipe I use).
    So many good recipes in this book!
    And glad that it benefits firefighters.

  • Erica P.

    December 15, 2012 at 5:53 am

    I’d love to try the Cajun Injected Wings…yum!

  • Shea Balentine

    December 15, 2012 at 6:38 am

    cajun injected wings!

  • Rhonda C

    December 17, 2012 at 7:37 am

    gumbo and cajun injected wing… sound yummy!

  • Jessica B

    December 17, 2012 at 2:34 pm

    I like the cajun injected wings

  • Shareen Mioskowski

    December 17, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    OOO the Applewood BLT Po Boy!!!
    navymansgrl1@yahoo.com

  • Miranda Gonzalez

    December 17, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    I would love to try the shrimp creole. Looks delish!

  • Hope L

    December 18, 2012 at 2:19 am

    I’d love to try the red beans and rice recipe!

  • jorie rogers

    December 18, 2012 at 5:56 am

    I would love to try the Cajun Injected Wings. Yum!

  • Carolsue

    December 18, 2012 at 8:12 am

    I’d like to try the Venison Chili
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  • Robert Medina

    December 18, 2012 at 6:14 pm

    Just wanted to let everyone know that the Cajun Injected Wings are not in this book. They will be in the next one. What I am going to do (as soon as things slow down a bit) is to put the recipe out on my website. That way everyone can try it. They are different because the sauce that is generally on the outside is injected to the inside. Zippy little guys!

    1. COMtnMom

      December 20, 2012 at 4:03 pm

      Heads-up readers! This is good to know – thanks Robert.

      For all of you clamoring for some of those hot wings – sounds like he’ll be passing that recipe along to us all online. I’ll be watching for it, right along with you all… YUM!

  • Bianca

    December 18, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    The Louisiana Crawfish Broil 🙂

  • Giggedygeekmum

    December 18, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    The new orleans BBQ shrimp looks sooooo good!

  • Nancy

    December 18, 2012 at 11:43 pm

    I’d like to try the recipe for Smoked Pork Butt!

  • Lindsay

    December 19, 2012 at 1:16 am

    Shrimp creole! 🙂

  • michelle gilliland mcafee

    December 19, 2012 at 5:36 am

    I’d like to try the shrimp boil, it looks amazing!!!!

  • Maria Kiguthi

    December 19, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    I’d like to try the Venison Chili.

  • Amy D

    December 19, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    Thanks for the review and giveaway. The Shrimp Creole looks amazing. Thanks for the opportunity! 🙂

  • Diana Hatch

    December 19, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    I would love to try the gumbo

  • Alycia E.

    December 19, 2012 at 5:22 pm

    I would love to try the shrimp boil. Thanks

  • Adrienne

    December 19, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    Smoked Salmon Cheesecake

  • Jane Ritz

    December 19, 2012 at 10:13 pm

    I’d like to try the chicken wings recipe. We practically have a family contest going on with wing. Thank you so much for this wonderful giveaway.

  • Gianna

    December 20, 2012 at 4:58 am

    Red beans and rice.

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    August 29, 2013 at 11:01 am

    […] my cookbook review, if you’d like to read more. Best fish tacos I’ve ever tasted (the key is his amazing […]

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