This is simply the funniest thing I’ve encountered in years. I
tried–tried–to read bits of it to Jane at the bookstore and
nearly busted a gut. I literally had to stop and lean on the the
bookshelves and catch my breath.

As the story goes, in 1962 Lileks’ mom was given a cookbook entitled
Specialties of the House; it was a product of the North Dakota
State Durum Wheat Commission. His mom wisely consigned it to a remote
closet where Lileks himself found it 1996 and was astounded by the
nauseating pictures and absurd recipes.
The Gallery of Regrettable Food is the result.

It’s not, as you might think, a compendium of food which was once popular
and is now frowned on; rather, it’s about food which was never appetizing
at any time, and recipes that no one with any sense ever made. It’s a
collection of photographs, graphics, and copy from cookbooks of the
last century, along with Lilek’s own snide (and often distressingly
funny) remarks.

Learn how Spry shortening makes everything better, and how to use 7-Up to
brighten up your casseroles. Read about the dark side of jello molds and
appetizers and the Man who Hated His Spinach. But perhaps not just before
dinner.

You can get some highlights of the book at
lileks.com.