Monday, October 05, 2009

Nonfiction Monday: Paula Deen's Cookbook for the Lunch-box Set


Deen, Paula. 2009. Paula Deen's Cookbook for the Lunch-Box Set. With Martha Nesbit. Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. Simon & Schuster.

As far as I know, this is the second Paula Deen cookbook written with children in mind. (That is a cookbook for parents and children to use together in the kitchen.) I reviewed her first children's cookbook last October, and said, "A cookbook written to introduce kids to the wonders of cooking? A cookbook that emphasizes cooking as a family event--parents and kids working side by side? Gotta love that!" Essentially, my reaction is similar for the second.

What does this one offer readers? It's divided into nine sections. Each section is compiled around a theme. We've got: "Morning Muffins," "The Bake Sale," "Pool Party," "What's New For Lunch", "A Sleepover," "The Family Cooking Night," "Christmas Cooking Party," "The Family Picnic Menu," and "Mother's Day and Father's Day."

Each recipe is illustrated in bright colors. While illustrations are not photographs, I do like the fact that this is a cook book that breaks things down step by step.

Which recipes sound so very, very good to me? Chocolate-Covered Pretzels (44-45), German Chocolate Pie (54-55), and Oreo Truffles (140-141). Of course, the book offers more than just desserts. It has recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack time. But which would you whether drool over? Bacon-Cheddar Meat Loaf? Ham Strata? Chicken Caesar Wrap? Or one of the dozens of desserts. Actually, most of the recipes look tasty.

I like this one because it is simple and thorough and reader-friendly.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2 comments:

Ms. Yingling said...

I may have to take a look at this one. There are always a few children who are interested in cooking.

Nina said...

A fun cookbook with I quess lots and lots easy recipes, that sounds like a cookbook for me. Thanks.