Sam the Cooking Guy: Between the Buns: Burgers, Sandwiches, Tacos, Burritos, Hot Dogs & More

In this pleasing follow-up to Recipes with Intentional Leftovers, YouTube chef Zien does away with utensils to offer an assemblage of literally handy recipes. Tacos filled with Nashville hot chicken or Korean short ribs prove that if it fits in a tortilla, then it’s a taco (or at least “not not a taco”). Burgers come thick, thin, or stuffed; ground from beef, poultry, or seafood; and plated as bite-size sliders or two-handed whoppers such as the Luther burger—whose buns are replaced by a halved glazed doughnut. Sandwiches run the international and gastronomic gamut from a grilled PB&J with potato chips for extra crunch, to a Japanese chicken katsu on white bread, and a traditional grilled Cubano. A brief lesson on the art of tortilla folding precedes a selection of nine burritos, plus a fish stick burrito that Zien admits is probably the “dumbest recipe in this book,” but is redeemed by way of a tasty salsa fresca and chipotle lime sour cream. Wiener fans will lunge for the souped up hot dogs that come smothered in mozzarella and mini pepperoni, or Cheese Whiz and chili, or bacon and mayo. Meanwhile, a sampling of sides, sauces, and frickles (fried pickles) round things out with flavorful flair. It all adds up to a finger-licking, family-friendly affair. (May)