Cookbook For An Angel

[plumtreeblossom]

The annual Angel Tree went up in the office lobby. This year I picked an 11 year old girl who would like a cookbook for Christmas. Yaaay! She will get one! And maybe also a little bundle with her very own wooden spoons, tongs, spatula, etc.

Now, to pick one. Her angel tag didn't request any one in particular. I think 11 is too old for the kiddies-in-the-kitchen kind of children's cookbook. I was using adult cookbooks by that age. But I want it to be filled with foodie photos and clear directions. I made a B-line for Alton Brown thinking I could usher in her first celebrity chef crush, but what 11-year-old wants to eat duck or blackens seared tuna steaks? She's too young for Bourdain (plus, he's MINE). Would Rachel Ray be setting her on a yummo brick road to hell? How about Paula Deen? Do any of you have a favorite that's photo rich and doesn't depend on expensive ingredients?

Comments

[lillibet.livejournal.com]

I quite enjoy Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything, which doesn't have pictures, but his How to Cook Everything: The Basics claims to have over a thousand of them. It's not specifically aimed at kids, but seems like it would be a good primer for someone young, but interested in cooking.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Yep, I was totally gonna say Bittman.

[aphrabehn.livejournal.com]

The Bittman book is really good - I even got the app on my phone for when I'm in the grocery store.

Personally, I can't stand Rachel Ray and Paula Deen, though I think she's fabu, might not be gearing an 11 year old towards smart choices.

I think Alton Brown is still a good choice because he's funny, engaging and, though the recipes are more adult in nature, it establishes the science behind the cooking, which is even cooler. The way I see it, if she's asking for a cookbook at 11, she's thinking in that direction. I loved "foodie" foods at that age. She's learning her palate, so why not learn how to perfectly sear tuna or make a perfect biscuit batter?

[jostajam.livejournal.com]

If you can find a used copy of The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, it has all the basics of how to cook almost everything. Same with the old Joy of Cooking. Then you could find a nice shiny cookbook with illustrations, that is maybe a bit more specialized. Paula Deen is one scary lady btw.....

[zzbottom.livejournal.com]

Do you feel compelled to go with a celebrity cookbook? I happen to be a big fan of the classical basics like the Betty Crocker, Fanny Farmer, Joy of Cooking, etc. I also am a huge fan of the Gooseberry Patch cookbooks.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I decided to run over to the MIT Coop and see what I could find, and I ended up going with The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying and Start Making. (not a celebrity chef book). It occurred to me while browsing that if this girl is in the Angel program, she's not likely to have easy access to fancy ingredients any time soon. This book uses simple ingredients to make familiar foods, but healthier and better tasting than if you bought them prepared. It's full of beautiful photography, and I hope she likes it.

Now I'm going to Tags to get a few cooking utensils to go with it. :-)

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Did you see this review?

http://www.amazon.com/review/RGAIQSOEX03TA/ref=cm_cr_dp_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=030788726X&nodeID=283155&store=books#wasThisHelpful

[teddywolf.livejournal.com]

I would suggest one of any number of cookbooks put out by Cook's Illustrated. Some of the recipes will have arcane ingredients, but they provide good pictures, solid explanations, and very good food. They are a mix between The Joy of Cooking and Alton Brown, if you will, and I think they would fit the bill. The Joy of Cooking is extremely good but has fewer pictures.

[checks comments] OK, this is late, but if it happens again....