Cooking with Kids: Fun, Easy, Approachable Recipes to Help Teach Kids How to Cook, by Brianne Grajkowski

 

Publication Oct. 11, 2022

The key word in the title is "with". Adult participation is recommended, even needed, for these recipes, especially since the author touts them for children as young as pre-school. So, don't think you can get away with opening this in front of your children and disappearing. In fact, it's a great way for adults and children to interact and learn together. It'll be messy, yes, but if they learn to cook at an early age, think of the money they'll save down the road. Not to mention how impressed friends will be of their potentially rare cooking skills as time goes along. I imagine there is a bit of a learning curve with some of the terms/vocabulary used, such as garnish and saute, but that can simply be used as another learning tool. Doing helps one learn them.

As for the book itself, it showcases recipes for not just kid favorites but genuine dishes, snacks, desserts, and even fun drinks. I liked that the author noted the need to listen, to really pay attention to your children, knowing if this is a good time to work with them in the kitchen or not, but also notes that if they are stressed or rushed themself, that isn't a good time. She also stresses the need for supervision, noting that knives, mixers, and heat aren't always safe for children to access unsupervised. Wise words. 

The recipes are one page deals, with ingredients and tools needed given upfront. You're urged to pre-read them and have everything needed laid out prior to beginning. Again, wise words. Trying a recipe and suddenly realizing you don't have a needed pan or ingredient isn't conducive to fun. Since I was a bit dubious on a quick flip through at some of the recipe titles, I was pleased to note that the author emphasized that one should adjust the menu based on family tastes. She doesn't make suggestions on how to do that but based on the probably assumption that any adult endeavoring to teach a child to cook knows how, that is probably not a shortcoming. 

Icons are used to indicate timing and level of difficulty as well as whether knives or heat are involved. Again, nice touch. Serving sizes are also indicated. In addition, photos that definitely show children's hands in the process of making the various recipes, as well as the finished product, are used. Again, nice touch, as are the extra hints at the bottom of the pages. Finally, there are blank pages at the end, an ideal spot for you to make personal notes or tweaks.

Thanks #NetGalley and #FoxChapelPublishing for the chance to check out the recipes. Even us "quick and easy" adult types can learn a thing or two here.