It's the school holidays - so what better than a book with loads of great ideas of delicious things to make with the grandchildren?
The first non-fiction book to be featured in our book of the month spot, The Kids Only Cookbook comes from food writer Sue Quinn (with the help of her two children Ruby (11), Ben (8) and their friends) and presents a fully tested way for kids to rule the kitchen!
Campaigners Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent have recently had their recommendations accepted (as part of the School Food Plan) to make it mandatory from next September for all schools to teach children up to the age of 14 to cook a repertoire of savoury dishes. In the meantime, their Cook Five campaign is encouraging all children to learn to make 5 basic savoury dishes. Here is a book to inspire kids to do just that, and more.
The book’s unique cartoon-style contains 300 photos to inspire children of all ages to get busy in the kitchen with 50 simple, delicious and fun recipes containing easy-to-follow captions. Original and creative projects will capture kids’ imaginations: such as the paper bag breakfast of a bacon and egg sandwich in a paper bag cooked on a barbecue. The kick’n’roll tin can ice cream is bound to be the project of the summer: pack a large tin can with ice and rock salt, insert a sealed ziplock bag containing cream, sugar and vanilla and kick it to the park or the beach....within 25 minutes... homemade ice cream!
The book’s fun and lively tone will help kids find a way into this essential subject. For example, Roast chicken with vegetables gives a foolproof simple method for a meal that a child could cook for the whole family, which will be part of their cooking repertoire for life. Lemon and garlic prawn skewers and Dreamy chicken curry will introduce kids to spicy food and help them to develop their palates. Make-it-up cupcakes encourage them to devise their own recipes and experiment with flavour.
Kids will also learn as they go along; each recipe contains a culinary technique such as beating, whipping, piping or baking. ‘Adult alerts’ appear throughout the book and ensure the recipes are all easy and safe to make. A few basic guidelines show them how to get started – how not to chop your fingers off and how to find your way around the kitchen This is a book which will become treasured as it helps children to discover the endless fun to be had in the kitchen and to learn skills which will stay with them for life.
Sue Quinn is a food writer, journalist and author of several cookery books. She has a lifelong interest in cooking and sharing good food, both in her native Australia and the UK. When not writing about food, she spends her free time cooking with her children. Sue has written books on Spanish and Japanese cooking, and most recently, a book on crackers. She is also a regular contributor to The Guardian’s online food and wine section.
The Kids Only Cookbook is published by Quadrille (price £12.99) and available online and from all good booksellers.
Sorry, but all our free copies have now gone!
