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Request for recommendation: A kids cookbook with meals adults will enjoy
Quickly posting from mobile, hopefully my intent is clear and post is mostly typo free.
I'm looking for a recommendation for a cookbook for kids (target age around 10) of meals they can prepare (with the help/supervision of an adult), and the meals are things adults would also eat for dinner. The only one we already have isn't meant for meals.
Thanks in advance!
We have "Williams-Sonoma Kids in the Kitchen: Sweet Treats" and our daughters bake some absolutely delicious pastries. Williams-Sonoma has several other cookbooks for kids and, if our experience is any indicator, they will have delicious recipes as well.
Excuse my ignorance, but what is there in a "normal" cookbook that 10 year olds can't do?
If they can read and follow instructions, I think they should be able to do most things with an adult's help. Is there something specific you're trying to avoid (e.g. boiling water, knives, raw meat)?
Kid-friendly, to me, is equivalent to "beginner-friendly" or "introductory". Something fully inviting, easy to get started, and nearly fool-proof crowd-pleaser recipes to maximize the chances of positive experiences which will lead to more confidence and desire to cook. I'm thinking lots of process pictures, techniques explained somewhere instead of just referenced by name, a bit of general education on why things are done or happen.
Kids are on average physically more sensitive to certain tastes (e.g. bitter), weaker, less dexterous than adults, which will have some impact what recipes will be appropriate. There's also some health concerns, like sushi and runny eggs, but those generally stop being an issue by ~5yo, certainly by 10yo. There is certainly a lot of overlap remaining with "adult" food, that I agree with.
Once they're hooked, that's when you drop The Joy of Cooking in their lap and tell them to go nuts.
Fair question! Mostly content and delivery. As well as my oldest can read, I wouldn't expect her to do well if I just dropped one of our most used cookbooks, The Food Lab, in front of her.
I don't have a true recommendation, just wanted to say how valuable it is to teach your kids how to cook early!
I personally started helping my mom out in the kitchen and started baking on my own through a kids baking book (sorry I don't remember the title) then moved to cooking for the family and myself.
Baking definitely was more motivating than cooking as a kid because the outcome (desserts) was more tasty and appealing! I think it's important to think about what your kids want to make and eat (not necessarily for you as a adult). There's no such thing as kids vs adult food really, food is food! Adults can still eat homemade Dino-shaped nuggets and cheese sticks, why not!!
My love of cooking was in large part due to watching Alton Brown and Good Eats as a kid. His clear and simple explanations of the science behind the recipes and techniques, presented with silly puppets, helped more than anything else. I'd recommend either watching and following along or picking up those cookbooks (i have not read them myself). Alton Brown is also now active on youtube with new episodes of
Good Eats"Alton Brown Cooks Food"Not quite for kids but a good starter cookbook is Help My Apartment Has a Kitchen. First time I ever made homemade nachos in the oven instead of the microwave was because of that!
And I seem to recall it being basic - might not land on kid's delivery though.