It really impressive to see those television shows or internet videos of kids cooking or baking at an adult level. But what if you don’t know how to get your kids started in cooking? How do you teach them the basics, making sure that they start out with the right information and understanding kitchen safety? How do you start them learning to add flavor and texture, to know what ingredients to use when, and to clean up as they go?
You can grab Super Simple Cooking for Kids and use it to get your favorite wannabe chef a step up. Author Jodi Danen is a mom who learned to cook early, and she’s a trained nutritionist who can put together recipes that are balanced with smart balance, flavor, and fun. But she also understands how important it is to be careful in the kitchen, and recipes are clearly marked when the young chef should get their Helper, to assist them with knives, mixers, and appliances that add heat (microwave, toaster, stove, or oven).
The book starts with the basics. There are guidelines for readers to using the kitchen—reading the recipe through before starting it and getting all the ingredients ready before you start cooking, for example. She emphasizes washing hands and washing ingredients and teaches kids how to read a recipe. She walks kids through the tools and equipment they might need, with illustrations and explanations of what they do, and then she takes them through the basics you find in the pantry and fridge and freezer. There are directions for basic cooking techniques and some questions your young chef might ask, like what to do if they’re missing an ingredient or why they have to wash their hands so much.
And then there are 50 recipes written to a beginning level and focusing on the types of foods that kids will want to eat. Breakfasts include a Peanut Butter Banana Wafflewich, Breakfast Burrito, Pumpkin Pancakes, Glazed French Toast Muffins, or Amazing Overnight Oats. The Snacks chapter features Popcorn Seasoning Two Ways, Strawberry Fruit Leather, Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls, Taco Hummus, and Tortilla or Cinnamon Sugar Chips.
Lunch can be Oven-Grilled Cheese Samdwiches, Single-Serve Mac and Cheese, Chicken Dippers on a Stick, No-Bake Tostados, Caesar Salad with Homemade Parmesan Croutons, Naan Pizza Two Ways, or Turkey “Sushi.” Dinner includes Cheeseburger Sliders, Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup, Dad’s Delicious One-Pot Spaghetti, Baked Ravioli, Teriyaki Rice Buddha Bowl, Loaded Nacho Bites, or Chicken Gyros. And Desserts features Caramel Apple Nachos, Frozen S’mores, Festive Dirt Cake, Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites, Vanilla Confetti Mug Cake, or Whole-Wheat Chocolate Chip Monkey Bread.
The recipes include labels to help chefs figure out if they’re right for them—labels like Nut-free or Vegetarian, 5 Ingredients or Less, 10 Minutes or Less, No Help Needed, or 30-Minute Meal. There is also a difficulty rating for each recipe from One Wooden Spoon (easiest) to Three Wooden Spoons (most complicated). There are also lots of extra tips throughout, for ways to add different flavors or fun facts about the dish or ingredient featured, so kids can expand their cooking skills as they go.
Super Simple Cooking for Kids is a great way to get kids started in the kitchen, which is a great way to give them skills they can use for the rest of their lives. This is a great gift for kids and for parents, as it can start great chefs on their culinary journeys.
Egalleys for Super Simple Cooking for Kids were provided by Rockridge Press through the Callisto Media Publisher’s Club, with many thanks.
