In world of take-aways, ready meals and fast-food, it can’t be assumed that children will pick up their cooking skills in the home – or that even the keenest parents will know where to start when it comes to helping their children learn to cook. Fortunately, help is at hand in this wonderful introduction to preparing everything from scrambled eggs on toast to fishcakes, pasta dishes or risotto. Not to mention the yummy sounding cakes, cookies and gingerbread people.
The very best thing about this book is that it doesn’t assume any prior knowledge (essential for children and probably also useful for some adults). The book opens with the all-important safety guidance, such as handwashing and turning pot handles to the side, and goes on to clearly explain the basic techniques. This includes how to crush garlic, deseed a pepper and crack an egg as well as how to beat a mixture, sift flour or knead dough.
The instructions for each of the recipes are clear and easy to follow. The selection of recipes are likely appeal to children’s taste and have the potential to start them on the road to more adventurous cooking pursuits, especially as success breeds success.
The presentation has the clarity that is essential to a book of this type. I particularly liked use of stylised, yet informative, illustrations instead of the over enhanced photos used in many cookbooks (that can rarely be achieved in practice).
Overall, this is perfect introduction to the cooking for children and, I suspect, many adults! Highly recommended.
ISBN: 978-1787080706
Publication Date: May 2020
Publisher: Button Books
Pages: 64
