Cookbook for Girls

picI’m not quite sure that I get the idea of a cookbook aimed at girls rather than children in general, but presumably the publishers had thought about this when choosing a title which excluded all those budding Jamies and Gordons in favours of the Delias and Nigellas.

However, having gone down this path, Dorling Kindersly have pursued it with some vigour. From the exceptionally pastel cover, with the tag-line ‘fabulous food for gorgeous girls’, through to the sections on making invitations for a sleepover party, place settings and table decorations, it does everything it can short of nail a sign on the front of the book reading ‘Boys Not Allowed’.

I can’t help but nurse a sneaking feeling, however, that recipes for fishcakes, club sandwiches and beef chow mein would be just as appealing to boys; and while it’s a relief to be able to report that the recipes didn’t automatically steeer girls towards bowls of salad and fear of carbs, there is a tendency towards pink lemonade and grilled fruit. But along the way, the diverse recipe selection includes everything from jambalaya to veggie spring rolls, taking in salads and cheese straws en route.

On the other hand, the ‘sweeties’ featured are devilishly indulgent, and the real ‘baking’ content spot on. Cute mini-muffins, white chocolate & raspberry brownies, and the obligatory cupcakes, will capture the heart of many pre-teen girls, and could easily inspire them to progress onto more advanced projects.

There are some blips- the lasagne photograph appears raw – whilst some timings seem odd or optimistic – butternut squash soup is given a cooking time of 39 minutes, why not 40 – and I had to wonder if the gingerbread house had been ransacked, with its garden seemingly full of candied broken glass, leading me to look for a derelict sponge cake Ford Escort, jacked up on marzipan bricks!

Although not the most serious or involved book, ‘Cookbook For Girls’ is a great introduction to a wide variety of recipes and techniques. The format is quite ‘sociable’, making it ideal for baking parties. A great stepping stone for girls beginning to express an interest in food and wanting to share it with their friends. But where is the companion title for boys, and what would be in it ?

Cookbook for Girls
By Denise Smart
Photography by Howard Shooter
Published by Dorling Kindersley, August 2008
128 pages; RRP £12.99
Target age group: 6-10

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Children’s Cookbook

The Dorling Kindersley imprint now offers quite a selection of titles aimed at encouraging children into the kitchen as more than mere observers. This book is aimed squarely at beginners – of all the DK books, I felt it contained perhaps the most helpful introductory tips – and explains basic techniques like melting chocolate and boiling eggs. Many of the recipes acknowledge the benefit of a healthy diet, which is a great thing to get across to a child, given the daily pressure of advertising for confectionery and convenience foods. But surely, the best way to encourage children to eat well throughout their lives is to awaken their interest in home cooking – and this book makes an excellent starting point.

I liked the clean layout and clear step-by-step photos (typical of Dorling Kindersley), and given that cooking can have hidden hazards which little fingers might not be aware of, I appreciated the fact that any step which might be fraught – like using a kitchen knife or heating up oil – was marked with an exclamation mark inside a bright red triangle.

Although only about a third of the recipes are for baked goods and desserts, this book remains an excellent buy for those who want their kids to enjoy cooking with them. The ‘health’ emphasis extends to pages on individual food groups, not to mention a whole host of healthy breakfast recipes, including making your own crunchy oat and nut cereal. Many of the dishes are rich in vegetables and fibre, and the book is keen to stress the importance of a varied diet.

Despite this healthy eating theme, a few recipes (such as the vegetable tart) feature quite rich ingredients, yet make no suggestions about making a more balanced meal. I also wonder if dried yeast may be easier for young cooks to handle than the fresh yeast required by the recipe, not to mention easier to find in the shops.

However, criticisms of this book are few, and the ‘Children’s Cookbook’ is a great purchase if you want to involve your kids with cooking. The book asks ‘why not make it yourself?’- a refreshing approach in a sadly ‘pre-prepared’ world where fast food is considered a treat.

Children’s Cookbook
By Katharine Ibbs
Published by Dorling Kindersley, October 2004
128 pages; RRP £13.99
Target age group: 8-15

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