Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. Post contains affiliate links; I may earn commission if you make a purchase. Opinions shared are mine.
As I write this post, my teen daughter is preparing marinade for the stir-fry she plans to cook tonight. She’s not using a recipe. Instead, she’s experimenting with flavors that work well together, based on her experience in the kitchen. She pulled a bunch of ingredients out of the cabinets and just started playing around. It’s wonderful to see her gain confidence with her cooking! I know she’s going to be okay when she’s out on her own.
Her independence in the kitchen started when she was a child. She worked with me during meal prep. I watched her advance in skills and understanding over the years, and pushed her a little more when she was ready. She started with simple recipes that required almost no skill. Now she can cook better than most adults! My son is 10 years old and has shown interest in learning how to cook, so this summer I plan to work with him in the same way. We’ll start with the ideas in the new cookbook 20 Recipes Kids Should Know by teen sisters Esme and Calista Washburn.
You’ve probably seen this cookbook in the NY Times or on social media. It is as lovely as the picture suggests! With huge, full color photos, the dishes on these pages look like they’re actual size. The recipes range from kid-friendly basics (pancakes and banana bread) to adventurous (pasta with pesto). I loved that there were plenty of “healthy” recipes to inspire young cooks to eat vegetables.
This would be a great birthday gift for a child who is ready to start trying to cook. Recipes are wonderful practice for reading, and it’s a skill that kids need to maintain over the summer months. It’s okay to sneak in some learning while having fun! Make sure to provide adult supervision while kids cook.
Thanks to Prestel, one lucky Savings in Seconds reader will win a copy of the book plus a porcelain rainbow bowl from HAY like the ones the girls use in the book, and a set of 6 stack-able rainbow measuring cups. The giveaway is open to US readers ages 18+. Void where prohibited by law. Good luck!
About the author and photographer: ESME and CALISTA WASHBURN are sisters living in New York City. Esme, who is in middle school, is an amateur chef and cooking enthusiast. She has learned everything she knows from her grandmother. Calista, a recent high school graduate and budding photographer, loves helping out in the kitchen and eating the delicious food that Esme cooks.
What a great collection! My mom really encouraged me to get involved in the kitchen when I was a kid. This not only fostered a love for cooking, but inspired me to focus on healthy, budget friendly meals through college and beyond. I even worked with a caterer as a summer job in high school!
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It is important for children to learn to cook so that they can become independent. My oldest daughter takes a lot of pride at being able to cook anything she puts her mind to. Now it’s time to teach my youngest.
Learning to cook is important so when they move out they don’t have to eat out all the time and can eat economically
It’s important for kids to learn how to cook because it’s less expensive to eat at home. The first recipe I learned how to cook was macaroni & cheese.
It is important for kids to learn how to cook so they can rely on their selves to be able to feed them selves. First thing I learned how to make was eggs
I learned to make cookies first.
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My parents didn’t teach me or my siblings how to cook, I taught myself from an early age. I think it’s important for kids to at least learn the basic steps of cooking, so that they are more comfortable and confident in the kitchen.
Pot roast was the first thing I learned how to cook.
I should probably know these recipes myself, lol. Thanks for the giveaway!
The first recipe I learned how to make was lentil soup. It’s still one of my favorites and make it a few times a month.
The first recipe I learned how to make was cinnamon toast. The second was scrambled eggs. Learning how to cook is a worthwhile lifeskill, because one has to eat and it’s difficult to eat out all the time. Plus cooking involves math and measuring, so sharpens your skills in those and organizing, planning, critical thinking and feeding others.
I encouraged my children and my grandkids to cook. Not only did I believe it was important for them to learn, this was also bonding moments with them!
I can’t remember if the first thing I made was oatmeal or scrambled eggs.
I learned to cook scrambled eggs. I enjoy cooking/baking with my kids!
I wish I’d learned basic cooking skills at a young age. I don’t feel confident in the kitchen, and I really struggle to consistently cook healthy meals because of it. In addition to helping parents to spend time with their children, cooking together fosters cooperation and communication among siblings.
Kids will eventually become adults, and everyone should know how to cook so they can take care of themselves and their own families. If you start young, you will have happy memories of favorite family meals you helped make!
All of my boys had to start learning to cook when they turned 12. I told them they shouldn’t expect their wives to do the cooking. The 2 that are married do the cooking because their wives don’t know how.
I’m pretty sure the first thing I learned how to make was macaroni and cheese
Cook book for kids and parents! It’s totally a great thing. I hope my kids can know how to use something around kitchen to make something to eat. That’s so funny!
I think so
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I’ve always taught my kids from an early age how to cook. They all love to experiment and they all have a love for tastes and textures. It makes for fun family nights when we can cook together!