Review: Complete Children's Cookbook by DK Publishing

SUMMARY FROM EDELWEISS:

Delicious dishes kids will really want to make.
More than 150 fabulous recipes, divided into nine themed chapters (Breakfast, Soups and Salads, Light Bites, and more) will have you and your child in the kitchen and cooking in no time. From French toast to rainbow salad, vegetable lasagna to tomato soup, and ice cream to mini muffins, Complete Children’s Cookbook has a recipe for every occasion. And with beautiful full-color photography, simple instructions, and a focus on safety, each one makes an ideal cook-together project that will have children excited to try the new flavors in the dishes they helped make. The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and feature a picture for every step, so children can see clearly just what to do as they build basic cooking skills, safe kitchen practices, and adventurous palates.

MY TAKE:
If your child wants to learn to cook and you can only buy one book, get this one.

Complete Children's Cookbook contains recipes, health reminders, tips, illustrated list of the equipment you'll need, as well as illustrated descriptions of different cooking techniques.

It's always nice to find a cookbook like this one that has everything you'll need, but doesn't try to pack way too much in. The various information contained at the start of the book is very useful for kids and adults who consider themselves beginners when it comes to cooking.

Each recipe page contains estimated preparation and cooking times, ingredients and tools list, and tips for recipe variations. The step-by-step instructions with pictures are a great way for children to understand the instructions and follow along.

The recipes, although meant mostly for children, given the warning signs on the pictures whenever there's something that you should be careful with, are also good recipes for adults to try. The recipes, while easy to do, aren't so simplistic that they can't be served for dinner guests. In fact, there's even a section of food you can serve at parties, like pizza squares and mini burgers.

The difficulty of the recipes vary so there's something for those who are just starting out and those who are looking for a little more challenging recipes. Some of my favorite recipes in the book are those that have a basic recipe and then you are presented with four different foods that you can make from that starting point. That's something you don't usually in cookbooks, or if you do, it's not presented in as fun and interesting a manner as this one.

Aside from the variation recipes I mentioned, I also liked the recipes for phyllo and spinach tarts, marinated lime chicken, apple pie, and banoffee pie. There are also recipes for raspberry creme brulee and ice cream (not made with an ice cream maker) that look much easier than I thought it would be.

I took note of some recipes that I would like to try very soon. I'm sure they'll be delicious.

Thanks to NetGalley and DK Children for the e-ARC.

THE GOOD:

1. The recipes all look delicious and easy to do.
2. The step-by-step illustrations are very useful.
3. The additional tips and information at the start of the book are really helpful.

THE BAD:

1. There's no part two yet. 

READ IT IF:

1. Your child wants to learn how to cook.
2. You're looking for a cookbook for your child that has most of everything they'll need.
3. You're looking for easy recipes.

RATING:


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