Cuckoo, TikTok, Anyone There…!?!

TikTok-Ready Spicy Noodles

(00:23 minute video)

February 20, 2024. Updated March 13, 2024.

by Bridget O’Donnell


This post was inspired by a handful of ingredients and two (maybe three) TikTok videos provided by a generous CSA member at the end of the 2023 season. Thank you, Deborah W. By that time, I’d heard of TikTok, but the negative connotations about privacy issues, exposure to inappropriate content, and the time spent scrolling endlessly seemed to outweigh its popularity for me. Well, I may be going cuckoo but, like over one billion monthly active users, here I am, TikTok.


Title of Cookbook: As Cooked on TikTok: Fan Favorites and Recipe Exclusives From More Than 40 TikTok Creators!

Author of Cookbook: Emily Stephenson

What prompted you to check out this cookbook? 

Before submitting this post I wanted to learn a little about the what, how, and why behind this particular social media platform. At the same time, I also wanted to avoid recreating the first perfectly fine TikTok video that I ever watched. Besides that, my initial attempt at a Crispy Rice Paper Omelet looked like a contribution to Pinterest “Nailed It!!

Although Lily Leung’s “1 Minute Rice Paper Omelet…” shares a lot of similarities to the original TikTok video I watched on Deb’s phone, it isn’t the same one. For whatever reason, I couldn’t find it, but Leung’s video does offer a great tutorial and, as posted in the comments, shows how versatile the recipe can be.

What did you like about this cookbook?

The recipes included in this cookbook are deemed reliable; we don’t have to scroll through a mix of successes and failures like on the TikTok app.

What didn’t you like about this cookbook?

There are a lot of trending videos on TikTok, but, to be honest, I’m just a little curious to know what cloud bread tastes like and maybe not so interested in trying pancake cereal. For this post I did create a TikTok account but I haven’t done much with it. If I spend time on the app, I might look for healthy recipes to add to my arsenal. I mean, a 30 second tutorial? Wow!

Also, note the cook time will probably vary from the video durations on TikTok.

Favorite recipes (that you tried from the cookbook/website):

My favorite recipe from this cookbook was probably @cookingwithlynja’s Ramen Carbonara (pg.77) because I like the idea of using ramen as a pasta (or rice) substitute.

Did you alter the recipe or make any substitutions?

In my (less than 30 second!!!) TikTok-ready video (click on the picture at the top of this post), you see the embellished version of one of my college go-tos. To date, I still find myself snacking on spicy ramen noodles between salads and more nutrient-dense (and, yes, time consuming) meals.

Bonus: In the attached photo, you see chicken and vegetable stir fry that’s been simmered in a tandoori curry sauce and served over strained ramen. YU-MMY! And that’s only one possible application.

Would you recommend this cookbook/recipe?

Absolutely, this cookbook makes everything look so tasteful. If you’re curious about TikTok but not sure about creating a personal account, a Google search will retrieve TikTok videos that you can watch as a guest. In some cases, the short videos will open in YouTube.

Chicken Stir Fry with Tandoori Curry Simmer Sauce - Ingredients

References:

Books - 

As Cooked On TikTok: Fan Favorites and Recipe Exclusives From More Than 40 TikTok Creators! / Emily Stephenson.

The Unofficial TikTok Cookbook: 75 Internet-Breaking Recipes For Snacks, Drinks, Treats, and More! / Valentina Mussi.

A LOT of foodies, like the two authors listed below, started on social media before writing a bestselling cookbook.

Smitten Kitchen Keepers: New Classics for Your Forever Files: A Cookbook / Deb Perelman. - (Perelman can be found on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram: @smittenkitchen and,YouTube: smittenkitchening.)

Knife Drop: Creative Recipes Anyone Can Cook / Nick DiGiovanni. - (In this cookbook, DiGiovanni includes a “QR Library, Quick, Off-the-Beaten-Path Recipes.” - Learn how to “Cook a lobster and remove lobster meat” in a 01:41 minute video.)

Websites -

Gonzales, Cindy. “700 Nailed It!! Ideas: Pinterest Fails, Food Fails, Fail Nails.” Pinterest, 18 March 2018, www.pinterest.com/cindyannadmire/nailed-it/.

Leung, Lily. “1 Minute Rice Paper Omelet SO Yummy!! Day 19.” Youtube.com/@FullHappyBelly, 4 October 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ0Xoob1qRc. - (00:23 minute video

Manfre, Ayeh. “Rice Paper Dumplings.” TikTok, 13 November 2022, https://www.tiktok.com/@cookingwithayeh/video/7165449343888100609?lang=en. - (00:33 minute video. You can find the recipe and a 00:35 minute video on her website as well, https://cookingwithayeh.com/rice-paper-dumplings/.)

Pahmeier, Lauren. “75 Viral TikTok Recipes and Food Hacks.” TasteofHome, 13 February 2024, https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/tiktok-recipes/.                               

Quick Subject/Concept links to the Discover (formerly, Vega) Online Library catalog:

Quick And Easy Cooking

TikTok - (Results narrowed down by Concepts: Electronic resource, Social media)