The Astronaut's Cookbook

Astronauts, cosmonauts, and a very limited number of people have experienced eating space food due to the unique processing and packaging required for space travel. This book allows anyone with a normal kitchen to prepare space food. Since some of the processing such as freeze dehydration, and packaging cannot be accomplished in the normal kitchen, many of the recipes will not produce the food that would be launched in space, but will prepare food similar to what the astronauts would eat after they had added the water to the food in space. Many of the space foods are prepared to the point of ready to eat, and then frozen and freeze dried. Food preparation in this book stops at the point of ready to eat before the freezing and dehydrating takes place.

Recipes in this book are extracted from the NASA food specifications and modified for preparation in a normal kitchen. The book will contain the following chapters: Introduction, Appetizers, Beverages, Bread and Tortillas, Cookies, Sandwiches, Desserts, Main Dishes, Soups and Salads, Vegetables, and Future Space Foods.

Interesting tidbits of space food history will be spread throughout the book. Examples like; did NASA invent Tang?, who was the first person to eat in space?, the Gemini sandwich fiasco, why there is no alcohol in U.S. space food systems, astronauts favorite food, etc.

From the reviews:

"Charles Bourland … has co-authored a book describing how food in space has developed through the years. The book, ‘The Astronaut’s Cookbook: Tales, Recipes, and More’ was released on Oct. 27 … . Bourland explained that in the book, he and co-author Gregory Vogt … discuss the history of the space program, space food preparation methods, diet information and space-food facts. … the book gives readers a better understanding of what it really is to live in space, for weeks and months at a time." (St. Clair County Courier, October, 2009)

"If you want to eat like an astronaut, look to ‘The Astronaut’s Cookbook – Tales, Recipes and More,’ where NASA veterans Charles Bourland and Gregory Vogt give a new behind-the-scenes look at dining in outer space. … Emeril Lagasse and Rachael Ray contributed recipes to NASA that are featured in ‘The Astronaut’s Cookbook,’ … . Recipes from astronauts are provided as well." (Charles Q. Choi, Space, November, 2009)

"Cook book … will tell you everything you wanted to know about cooking and eating in space. The Astronaut’s Cookbook - Tales, Recipes, and More - penned by NASA veterans Charles Bourland and Gregory Vogt offers up a number of recipes as well a history of space feasting … for Thanksgiving, if you are so inclined. The book includes a number of interesting space food facts … . The book includes astronaut home favorite recipes and NASA quarantine food recipes." (Michael Cooney, Computerworld, November, 2009)

"A truly unique book - The Astronaut’s Cookbook - Tales, Recipes, and More - written by NASA veterans Charles T. Bourland and Gregory L. Vogt gives a first look at what astronauts eat while in space. … The Astronaut’s Cookbook unveils the history of food in space and explains how NASA improved the food over the years. The Astronaut’s Cookbook also gives readers instructions and recipes on how they can cook their own space food." (Physorg, November, 2009)

“You’ll find it here in this delightful book that gives you an insider’s look at space food. … introduces you to a variety of space food types, from rehydrated food, condiments, as well as natural form foods. You’ll even find a nicely written section on eating in microgravity. … you’ll also find tempting recipes to whip up your own space fare. … you’ll find helpful a helpful list that details internet resources on space food and nutrition. All in all - truly delectable reading!” (Space Coalition Blog, December, 2009)

“My husband and I … had some great laughs at the tales of astronauts past. Recipes are great and the insider knowledge of the program is wonderful. This is a must read for anyone interested in the space program from Apollo to ISS. … the book rings true from beginning to end. George and I think it is a unique and insightful.” (Millie Hughes-Fulford, Amazon, December, 2009)

 “Charles Bourland, a retired NASA food scientist, and co-author Gregory Vogt explain in The Astronaut’s Cookbook, bread means crumbs, and in zero-g they become air pollution - not just messy, but inhaled into astronauts’ lungs. Tortillas … have largely replaced bread in space. … This book is larded with dozens of recipes for space food … . Enjoy it for the engineering and the anecdotes … .” (New Scientist, January, 2010)

 “The Astronaut’s Cookbook - Tales, Recipes, and More … gives a first look at what astronauts eat while being in space. … gives readers instructions and recipes on how they can cook their own space food. … Besides, celebrity chefs … their recipes are featured in the book, including Rachael Ray’s 5-Vegetable Fried Rice with 5-Spice Pork. … Charles Bourland’s extensive experience … gives a behind-the-scenes look. Anecdotes throughout the book share unique stories … including one astronaut’s quest to eat Georgia BBQ in space.” (Thaindian News, November, 2009)

“Thanks to The Astronaut’s Cookbook, just about everyone can eat like one. … this book is fantastic. It contains dozens of actual space-food recipes from the Apollo era to the present day … . Many of the recipes come with photos and instructions on how to prepare them at home … . Between recipes, the book is packed full of everything you ever wanted to know about eating in space … . Vignettes like these are a joy for space fans and Earth-bound experimenters alike.” (Physics World, January, 2010)

“Cooking from The Astronaut’s Cookbook takes it one step further by letting you join astronomy, history and more. … The book is excellent for parents … . I really encourage your household to invest in this cookbook especially if you are space fanatics! You will really like it. If you are an educator, I think you will find plenty of source material in here for class projects, activities, etc. and plenty of recipes you can cook for yourself at home. … it’s a good investment.” (Kristine Leuze, Wallflower Wonderland, February, 2010)

“This book is called a cookbook … . it provides great detail on the issues regarding food selection, most of the book consists of actual proven recipes. … this book has interesting facts, entertaining recipes and the potential for the beginnings of a wonderful evening. … ‘The Astronaut’s Cookbook – Tales, Recipes, and More’, by Charles Bourland and Gregory Vogt lets you sample the same food that they do and could also prepare you for the long voyage away from readily running water and fresh air.” (Universe Today, January, 2010)

“Charles Bourland has just retired from his job as NASA’s ‘director of space foods’, and Gregory Vogt was an astronaut trainer. They have provided us with a fascinating insight into the job of the space dietician and nutritionist, as well as a wondrous collection of recipes for the meals that were served on Skylab, Apollo, the space shuttle and the International Space Station. … This an intriguing book, well written, and colourfully reproduced with a host of appetising pictures.” (David W. Hughes, Astronomy Now, July, 2010)

“There are plenty of recipes created by NASA and even a few recipes developed and contributed by American celebrity chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Rachel Ray. … This is the book to have on your launch pad for increasing your knowledge of space food, including where the astronauts go after they have had their space meals … . Ultimately though, we should be enjoying The Astronaut’s Cookbook because like Space, it is there to be explored.” (Gretchen, Culinaria Libris, October, 2010)