Most of the time, we cook out of necessity, but the real fun happens around the stove late at night, with friends, making stacks of grilled cheese or topping chewy dough with salami and mozzarella. Thinking of having friends around to dabble in a few cannabis strains come Oct. 17? When the munchies hit, don’t resort to takeout or a bag of Doritos. Instead, dress up your own epic sheet of nachos to devour on the couch with the guidance of one of these munchies-chasing cookbooks.
Title: The Nacho Manifesto: 40+ recipes that prove nachos rule the snack world
Author: Jack Campbell
Publisher: Rizzoli, $26.95
In this grand proclamation of snack domination, Aussie Jack Campbell makes the case for nachos as vehicle for beer-braised beef, gooey cheese and smoky black beans, whether built on a bed of crispy tortilla chips, sweet potato fries or tater tots.
Title: Mastering Pizza: The Art and Practice of Handmade Pizza, Focaccia, and Calzone
Authors: Marc Vetri and David Joachim
Publisher: Ten Speed, $39.99
Arguably the ultimate late-night nosh, pizza is both simple and complex. Chef Vetri breaks it down to its components: a properly timed and hydrated dough, the very best toppings and the right cooking method. He ventures into the realm of calzone, focaccia and dessert pizzas, too. With the process demystified, there’s no need to rely on frozen or delivery.
Read more: How does cannabis affect appetite? Here’s what research says about the munchies
Read more: Got the pot-induced munchies? Here are some fast-food options to sate your cravings
Title: The Great Grilled Cheese Book: Grown-up Recipes for a Childhood Classic
Author: Eric Greenspan
Publisher: Ten Speed, $22.99
You may think you don’t need a recipe for grilled cheese, but the snackiest sandwich of all time can be far more than the sum of its white bread, butter and Kraft Single parts. There’s a taleggio cheese and short rib extravaganza to consider, plus plenty of other combos created around ingredients such as pastrami, smoked salmon, olive tapenade and apple chutney.
Title: Munchies: Late-Night Meals from the World’s Best Chefs
Authors: JJ Goode, Helen Hollyman and the editors of Munchies
Publisher: Ten Speed, $40
The first cookbook released by the millennial food website and video channel is packed with all the things you want for a late-night refuel, from monstrous mint-chip ice cream sandwiches to spicy wings. An entire chapter is dedicated to “Things with Tortillas.” It’s full of chefs' midnight favourites – all designed for sharing.
Title: Junk Food Japan: Addictive food from Kurobuta
Author: Scott Hallsworth
Publisher: Absolute Press, $54
Ex-Nobu chef Scott Hallsworth elevates snack foods by focusing on Japanese-style pub dishes from his London restaurant, Kurobuta. Recipes include reimagined Japanese classics and new creations, such as BBQ pork belly steam buns, Wagyu beef sliders and tuna sashimi pizza.