A great cookbook and one to cherish for years to come.

The Backyard Fire Cookbook is detailed with easy to follow instructions. I love this book!

Who doesn’t love to cook over an open fire? It is one of the best things to do. I like to do mine in early spring or late fall because I can use fall vegetables to make some nice things. This cookbook has a lot recipes that I never even thought to try but I most definitely will in the future.

Terrific photos and guidelines to achieve every weekend backyard warriors dream of pulling off the intricacies of grill masters. Loved it and will be sure to use these great tips for mastering backyard grilling!

I'll admit, I'm intimidated by grilling. I never grew up anywhere near the grill when my dad was using it, and it's always been seen as the "dad's domain". So I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author of a book all about backyard fire cooking is a female. I realized in the process of writing this review that I've actually read a Linda Ly cookbook before. I gifted my brother-in-law and sister-in-law her book, the New Camp Cookbook, last Christmas and found myself unable to stop myself from flipping through it. All the recipes sounded delicious, and the photography was gorgeous. This book continues in the same style, right down to the cover, but with a different focus.

While "backyard fire" sounded vague to me at first, it becomes apparent that Ly aims to make the process of cooking over a fire, no matter what kind of vessel you use, both approachable and gourmet. The first section of the book really takes the time to demystify the process of setting up a grill in your backyard. As someone who doesn't yet have a backyard or a grill, I wasn't able to put her wealth of knowledge to the test, but it seemed like a very thorough introduction to setting up your own grilling paradise.

The recipes themselves are interesting, creative, modern, and things I could totally see myself making. There's dishes like Smoky Ember-Roasted Eggplant Dip, Grilled Brie with Sweet Cherry Sauce, Feta-Stuffed Flank Steak (um, this sounds utterly delicious), Shrimp in Coconut Sauce (made in a foil pack!), Korean Grilled Chicken, and Dutch Oven Jambalaya. There's a great diversity of techniques and cuisines here, and I really enjoyed flipping through and seeing what new ideas would pop up next.

As expected, the photography is top-notch and really makes you want to go into your pantry and start cooking as soon as possible. The rest of the cookbook is clean and well-designed. I would totally buy this for any grillers in my life. I'm already adding this to my list of Christmas gift ideas.

Overall Rating: 5/5 stars

My husband loves cooking outside on his smoker and the idea of having a homemade firepit back there is incredibly tempting and something I definitely may want to pursue after reading The Backyard Fire Cookbook, but even if we don't build our own backyard fire pit, many of these recipes would be great for camping trips! I love that there is a how-to for building a firepit and a plethora of interesting recipes that I wouldn't have even thought about making outdoors. I love that the book goes beyond burgers, pulled pork, and brisket. and offers a fresh new take on backyard cooking. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys being outside and loves cooking and trying new things.

Hier geht dem Grillfreund so richtig das Herz auf: alles rund ums grillen, von diversen Feuerstellen bis hin zu reichlich Rezepten - was man so alles auf den Grill packen kann - der Sommer ist gerettet, man kann aus dem vollen schöpfen und im Genuß schwelgen. Abgerundet mit informativen und inspirierenden Fotos.

The Backyard Fire Cookbook by author Linda Ly has a wealth of information for those who want to cook outdoors and try something a little different from the typical barbecue or hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. Ms. Ly covers things from Know Your Cooking Woods, Build the Ultimate Cooking Fire, and Fire Safety, to name just a few.

Chapters included the following:
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Chapter 2: Back to Basics: The Fire Pit
Chapter 3: It’s a Wrap: Foil Packets
Chapter 4: Iron Chef: Pots, Pans, and Planchas
Chapter 5: Under Cover: The Grill
Chapter 6: Up in Smoke: Plank Grilling

I liked the layout of the cookbook. It's clean looking, easy to read and ingredients and directions are not overly complicated. With over 70 recipes, there's something for everyone.

A few recipes that caught my eye:
Dutch Oven–Baked Buttermilk Pancake with Raspberries and Almonds
Spicy Grilled Shrimp on Avocado Toast
Cumin-Crusted Chicken Tacos with Smoky Salsa Verde
Grill-Roasted Elephant Garlic
Glazed Cinnamon-Sugar Peaches
Dutch Oven Creamy Corn Chowder
Juicy Jumbo Creole Shrimp
Grilled Halloumi, Sweet Corn, and Tomato Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
Planked Shrimp with Spanish Green Sauce
Cedar-Planked Salmon with Soy-Ginger Glaze

One thing that I always enjoy is when a cookbook has pictures of the food and this book is loaded with gorgeous photos. So if you're looking to venture into outdoor cooking and want something a little more than throwing some meat on a grill this book is definitely one you want to pick up!

I was looking forward to reviewing The Backyard Fire Cookbook but unfortunately I requested this June 11, 2019 and it archived June 11, 2019 so when I went to download it wasn't available. A friend had mentioned a camping cookbook by Linda Ly she loved so I was very disappointed to miss the opportunity to review this book by what must have been literally minutes.

This is a delightful cookbook. It was fun to read this cookbook and look at all the wonderful pictures as well as learn about the various outdoor cooking tools and cooking skills the writer shared. If you enjoy cooking outside I recommend this cookbook and if you enjoy camping then this is a must for your camper cooking library. You’ll get tons of great tips for cooking methods and tools to create delightful fire-cooked meals.
There are some interesting recipes you may find compelling enough to add to your must-have meals too. Sure you could make some of the recipes on a gas grill, but the recipes in this cookbook are designed for campfire meals and the special flavors that result for foil packets, fresh off the fire and those type of technique meals are wonderful. You’ll find over 70 recipes in this cookbook made in a variety of ways over a fire such as Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Thai Chicken Pizza with Sweet Chili Sauce and Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf. Yes, I know just thinking about these recipes make you want to get this cookbook! It is worth it because these are only a few delicious choices inside and you could be fixing many options tonight.

I was looking for something to slightly up my mediocre camping cooking repertoire but this went above and beyond my palette and level of effort. Perfect for a camping Foodie if there are such beings.

A really nice outdoor cooking book with emphasis on getting a good fire cooked meal. The book goes into detail on how to create an outdoor fire pit for cooking and focuses on the tools, and cooking tips. There aren’t little tips that pop up throughout the book one of the best ones is how to create an “outdoor pantry” so you don’t have to keep returning to the kitchen mid cooking.

The recipes actually tell you what kid of fire (that the book explains in the fire/tools part) to use for each one instead of the dishes to get the perfect cook. I also like that it adds a Korean influence to otherwise mostly American grilling dishes.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a digital ARC to review.

This unique new cookbook brings a new spin to very old methods of cooking: grilling over an open fire. Not only does it give basic receipes, but it takes you back further in the process, explaining how and why people cook over a fire, the supplies you might need and how to choose or build them (I loved that it walked step-by-step through the process of creating a fire pit). The recipes weren't what you'd generally expect from a grilling book, with much more of a focus on veggie and fish dishes and less on traditional beef and chicken, but while new twists on the concept, many sound wonderful.

Great recipes for a fun night outside. Beautiful photographs! I look forward to nights with friends and good food under the stars!

With the start of summer having just peaked around the clouds, this is the perfect book to accompany the ceremony of cleaning up the BBQ and being truly inspired for entertaining family and friends for al fresco dining. The book covers all different types of firepit and bbq, and has intriguing and tantalizing recipes for the novice or confident cook alike.

This is a great book for those who want to try backyard fire cooking. It goes beyond just recipes and gives good tips, such as which type of wood to use for what food.

While I was reading this book I had two immediate reactions. I wanted to buy a copy for my daughter right away and I was mentally searching the fridge thinking what ingredients I had on had to try some of the recipes. A total hit!
Loved it!. I already checked her blog, I'm following on every single social media, I became a food stalker ;)
The book not only has a fantastic array of recipes, but it goes into detail on how to actually build your fire pit, different kinds of woods and all the essentials to become a master at grilling. Covering Foil packets, Cast Iron cooking, Planked grilling, Cover grills and more.
Fun, clear and easy to read recipes with vivid photographs. There are choices for every palate, Mexican, cowboy, Italian, Cajun, Indian, Spanish, to name a few.
You not only get the typical grill beef, fish and veggies. There are choices for breakfast, lunch dinner, desserts...
Some examples are:

Dips: Smoky Ember-Roasted Eggplant Dip

Salad:Ember-Roasted Beet Salad with Orange Fennel and Feta

Appetizers:Loaded nachos on the grill, Planked pears with Gorgonzola and honey

Canning and preserving:Grilled Cucumber Dill Pickles, Homemade kimchi

Sandwiches: Foil packed french dip

Desserts: Glazed Cinnamon Sugar Peaches

Breakfast: Dutch Oven Baked Buttermilk Pancake with Raspberries and Almonds

I'm dying to try Garlic butter gnocchi and mushrooms on the grill! My next camping trip will be amazing.

The Backyard Fire Cookbook by Linda Ly is a fantastic collection of recipes and tips for cooking food on a live fire. The book explains the different ways of cooking on fire, as well as how to create the perfect fire. It is a detailed book that can be useful to anyone wishing to cook on fire, regardless of experience.

Cooking on fire is something that I had pretty much reserved for camping trips. When I first saw The Backyard Fire Cookbook, I was really intrigued about the possibility of bringing a campfire to my own backyard. It is definitely a cooking technique that requires lots of additional planning and time, but the end result is absolutely worthwhile.

❀ PERFECT FOR THOSE WITH LITTLE EXPERIENCE

Ly has organized this book into different sections that describe various ways to cook on fire: the fire pit, foil packets, pots, grills, and planks. For those with little experience, there is a section at the beginning that goes through the basics and describes the tools and types of wood that will work best.

❀ EASY TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS

What is also really enjoyable about this book of recipes are the colourful images and easy to follow instructions. The recipes are also very unique and varied. The unpredictability of cooking on a live fire can, as Ly describes, be exciting as the tastes and outcomes are never the same. This is one recipe book that has inspired me to change the way I approach cooking outdoors.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.


This book is a gem for anyone interested in cooking outdoors. The author covers most types of outdoor cooking including, but not limited to: open or firepit grilling, covered grilling, use of planks,
foil packets, and even outdoor cooking with pots or pans. The photos add a lot to the recipes and grilling instructions. This book includes fire building instructions as well as safety recommendations.
The “Hot Tips” included are interesting as well as useful. The recipes are new and interesting. I am especially interested in trying pizza on the grill as well as the chicken and the steak tacos. This book could perk up your outdoor cooking and entertaining this summer.

This is not just a book for following a recipe, it is a great book of knowledge - from different types of wood, to the heat of coals, to how to actually build your fire pit in the first place! Wonderful. We have tried out a number of recipes so far, and will be sure to cook with this some more as the summer commences.

As an avid camper who lives by both her fire pit and grill for the entire summer, this book definitely gave me some awesome ideas. Can't wait to try one of the foil packet meals for the next time we have company over. Lots of variety so that everyone can find a method they are most comfortable with, too. Really liked that. Also, there are all kinds of foods in this book, including dessert recipes.

Minus 1 star for no dietary value breakdown because I always think that's important (though the thoroughness of the rest of the book and the bright and enticing photos almost were enough to put the star back. Almost.