Boy, I wish I’d thought of that title! But the title, like the book it’s attached to, is the brainchild of Jon Robertson with Robin Robertson. Jon, a writer, and his wife Robin, a cookbook author and former chef, share their approach to food preparation for emergencies. Writing from hurricane country, their focus is on storms that come with warning, but the principles apply to other power interrupters, too.

The Robertsons reject the “survivalist” approach, preferring not to eat in an emergency what they would never eat on an ordinary day. (Good-bye, dehydrated turkey tetrazzini and powdered fruit drinks!) Instead they set out a plan for versatile, non-perishable foods to make lunch and dinner for four people for five days. Jon assembled the supplies, which fit into a single empty wine box, for about $50. (A plastic container with a lid would be a better choice  for keeping varmints out and stacking other boxes on top, but the idea of keeping emergency supplies in a wine box is so appealing!)

This lighthearted book includes recipes for soups, salads, bean or vegetable-based main dishes, pasta dishes, savory snacks and desserts. Try High-Water Hoppin’ John, a one-pot version of the southern dish of black-eyed peas with rice and collards. Or “Duck and Cover” Tortilla Bake, cooked in a single skillet in just 15 minutes.

The book includes a  discussion of portable stoves, gas grills, and other cooking methods. There’s information on sanitation and cleaning. There is even a delightful discussion of fancy napkin folds, since one of the greatest dangers of living without power is the numbing boredom that blankets the days. Napkin folds, the author suggests, keep us busy and form a bulwark against incivility.

In my view, Apocalypse Chow is everything an emergency food preparation book should be: uncomplicated and amusing, packed with useful information in an easy-to-digest format. Add a copy to your emergency supplies.