cover image The Deen Bros. Get Fired Up: Grilling, Tailgating, Picnicking and More

The Deen Bros. Get Fired Up: Grilling, Tailgating, Picnicking and More

Jamie and Bobby Deen and Melissa Clark. Ballantine, $25 (224p) ISBN 978-0-345-51363-2

When a formula works, there's no reason to change it, as with this down-home collection of recipes%E2%80%94the fourth from the sons of Food Network star Paula Deen (after The Deen Bros. Cookbook, etc.) and noted cookbook author Melissa Clark. Now food celebrities in their own right, the brothers extend their brand of easy Southern cookery to summery al fresco meals. The focus is on guy-centric creations like a grilled whole chicken stuffed with corned beef and sauerkraut, chipotle-stuffed hot dogs wrapped in bacon and Vidalia onion and beer dip. In between are a few more delicately flavored surprises like grilled brown sugar brussels sprouts; spicy Asian tuna burgers and Mediterranean orzo salad with olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts. While the brothers seem to be short on sweets, a few interesting and Deenesque (i.e., rich) ideas dot these pages, including grilled pound cake and chocolate and Heath bar quesadillas. Recipes are designed for ease, relying on some prepared ingredients to save more time for the sun. Tips interspersed throughout advise on such matters as the best way to transport pasta salad, making tailgating lists, and tomato storage. For fans of the Deen family, this will be a welcome addition to a growing library. Photos. (Apr.)