Young Chefs
Author: Christina Dymock
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Published Date: June 2013
Paperback: 128 pages
Genre: Children’s Nonfiction/Cookbook
ISBN# 978-1462111954
Reviewed by: Shanda
FTC FYI: received a free digital review copy in exchange for an honest review
Summary (from Cedar Fort)
Kids in the kitchen don’t have to make a mess—as long as they know what they’re doing! Teaching your children how to cook can be daunting, especially when you don’t know where to start. Wipe away your worries with this cookbook made specifically for kids.
Inside you’ll find tips for a variety of cooking techniques, a glossary for common cooking terms, and a book boiling over with recipes written for children such as Peanut Butter Morning Cake, Bobby’s Pork Chops, Pirate Eggs, and Banana Tacos. Along with interesting trivia and a section for needed tools, each recipe outlines which stages require adult help, and each process is broken down into simple, easy-to-follow steps.
Author of 101 Things to Do with Popcorn, Christina Dymock knows the adventures kids can find in the kitchen. Spending cooking time together can only help family relationships. So teach your children the skills found in Young Chefs, and be amazed that your new favorite meals came from the smallest hands.
Review
There is so much to like about Young Chefs by Christina Dymock. The simple recipes appeal to kids and what they like to eat. Cute icons at the top of each recipe tell kids and parents what tools are required so you can know at a glance if your child will need your help. Brightly colored lettering and accents give the book a fun look and help spotlight each recipe.
As a mom of four kids who love to eat, I encourage them to make their own lunches and snacks when possible, but they always fall back on the same stuff. If I’m tired of seeing them eat the same things, I know they must be tired of eating the same things. While there are several recipes to choose from in each section, it is not an overwhelming amount, offering just enough variety that even picky eaters can find something they will like.
Included in the front of the book are tips for young first-time cooks and their parents, a glossary of basic cooking terms, as well as a How-To section with pictures so kids can see how to crack an egg, use a knife, measure ingredients, etc. There are six main recipe sections:
- Breakfast: a variety of smoothie, juice, pastry and egg recipes.
- Lunch: easy to put together finger foods, roll-ups, and sandwiches, most of which don’t require much cooking. There are a few (like Meatless Lasagna Rolls) that take a little longer and use the oven, something an older child ready to expand their skills might be interested in preparing.
- Snacks: range in taste from sweet (Vanilla Mango Pops) to simple (Blonde Trail Mix) to savory (Pig Skins).
- Dinner: a delicious selection of recipes like French Bread Pizza, Best Nachos Ever, Slow Cookin’ Taco Soup, and Creamy Dreamy Alfredo Sauce.
- Sides: salads, gelatin, and a variety of vegetable selections.
- Desserts: includes the good ol’ standby when I was growing up, Frosting Sandwiches, as well as cookies, bars and more.
Young Chefs would make a great summer project, giving kids and parents something to both keep kids occupied and feed them at the same time. With simple ingredients kids recognize and clearly outlined preparation steps, there might just be some some new favorites that your kids will be happy to make for themselves again and again.
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