Paula Deen’s My First Cookbook Review – Kids in the Kitchen

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Today’s cookbook review is Paula Deen’s My First Cookbook.  I was able to check it out from my local library.  The book says the price is $21.99.  I was able to find it on Amazon for $15.83.

What I like about this cookbook:

• Spiral bound – I always prefer a spiral bound cookbook especially for kids.  I am finding most of the kids cookbooks get it and are spiral bound. You need it to lay flat so you can see the recipe and stay on the page you are cooking from.
• Information Sections – This cookbook begins 5 sections full of information for beginners including a glossary and how to measure.  This book also includes some other sections I have not found in other cookbooks which I loved – Safety First, How to Set a Table, and Good Manners.
• Regular Categories and Theme Categories – I loved the way the recipes where group – Mornin’ Sunshine, Yummy Lunches, What’s for dinner?, I’m Starving, Happy Birthday to ME, Cooking for Mom and Dad, Treats for the Holidays, Special Drinks for All Year, and Don’t Eat These! Fun Arts and Crafts.
• Crafts – I loved that this included Craft recipes for kids in here too.  There are only 3 but they are a good basic 3 – play clay, salt dough, giant bubbles.
• Visual and written ingredient list – each recipe includes illustrated images of each ingredient needed to make the recipe.  This even includes the tools in the items needed – rolling pin, wooden spoon, waxed paper etc.  This is especially great for brand new cooks!
• The Recipes – the recipes in this are just what you would want for a ‘first” cookbook.  It includes recipes like baked potatoes, pancakes, pigs in a blanket, chicken pot pie, ants on a log, etc.  They all appear to recipes that kids would love also.
• Instructions – The instructions are well written for a beginner and are very detailed.  For example, “one by one, crack the eggs by tapping each one on the side of the counter.  Break the eggs into the bowl by pushing the crack with your thumbs and pulling the two sides of the shells apart.”

Items I am neutral about:

• Nutrition Info – there is no nutrition info included for the recipes.

The downside:

• Pictures – all the pictures in this book are illustrations.  I prefer actual photos.  However, when I was a beginning cook, I did have cookbooks that only included illustrations and I still enjoyed them.
• Time – there is nothing with the recipes to tell you how long the recipe would take to make.  I do like to know the prep and cooking time.
• Adult Help – there is no quick reference way to know what recipes require adult help.  However, it does mention in the instructions when it is needed.