Our colÂlecÂtion of cookÂbooks is vast. Some of them are in use more than othÂers, and some of them are in rough shape from too much use. I’m always on the lookÂout for good cookÂbooks that will encourÂage young peoÂple to cook and to read about cookÂing, just as I did with the gift of my first, BetÂty CrockÂer’s CookÂbook for Boys and Girls. I startÂed makÂing famÂiÂly meals when I was 11, and that cookÂbook, still on my shelves today, is well used.
Today’s chilÂdren have a good deal of inspiÂraÂtion: Food NetÂwork chalÂlenges designed for ages 9 to 14; utenÂsils, cookÂware, and aprons made just for them; being at home all day for disÂtance learnÂing; and some terÂrifÂic cookbooks.
With selecÂtions rangÂing from breakÂfast to snacks to meals for one and meals for the famÂiÂly, each recipe includes a list of ingreÂdiÂents and needÂed cookÂing equipÂment. The instrucÂtions are clear to folÂlow (AmerÂiÂca’s Test Kitchen has been at this for a long time). When a techÂnique called for in the instrucÂtions might be unfaÂmilÂiar, there’s a picÂture and advice about how to accomÂplish what’s needed.
The instrucÂtions and how-tos and tidÂbits of essenÂtial knowlÂedge are writÂten in a liveÂly, capÂtiÂvatÂing voice that keeps the readÂer movÂing on to the next topÂic. Shhh! There’s some fun readÂing to be done in this book.
DisÂtinct boxÂes with difÂferÂentÂly colÂored backÂgrounds and difÂferÂenÂtiÂatÂing title fonts make it easy to folÂlow even though there’s a lot of inforÂmaÂtion on every page.

A recipe for Kale Chips includes phoÂtos of the way to prep kale to make squares for chips. There are sugÂgesÂtions for flaÂvorÂings and encourÂageÂment to experÂiÂment with your own flavors.
PerÂhaps best of all are the explanaÂtoÂry secÂtions. What is parchÂment paper? How do you remove husks and silk from fresh corn? What herbs can be grown or purÂchased to enhance food flaÂvors? How do you flip a grilled sandÂwich? What are the best knives to own and how are they safeÂly used?
PreparaÂtoÂry pages at the beginÂning of the book show disÂtinct phoÂtos of kitchen tools and cookÂware (what on earth is a Dutch oven?). There are instrucÂtions for meaÂsurÂing, gratÂing, and garnishing.
In the back matÂter, you’ll find conÂverÂsions, tips for healthy eatÂing, and a nutriÂtion chart for each recipe (so imporÂtant for kids on speÂcifÂic diets).
DisÂcloÂsure: There are no chilÂdren in our house and this recipe book has already been deployed sevÂerÂal times. It’s a keeper.
HighÂly recommended.
The ComÂplete CookÂbook for Young Chefs
writÂten by AmerÂiÂca’s Test Kitchen
SourceÂbooks JabÂberÂwocky, 2018
We’ll have to check it out. BetÂty Crocker’s CookÂbook for Boys and Girls was my first cookÂbook too. Uncle Harold gave it to me in 1983 (he put the date on the inside of the front covÂer, which is the only reaÂson I know that for sure.) I can’t even recall how many times I read the recipes in that book. It may have been what nudged me toward becomÂing an avid cookÂbook reader.