A Kosher by Design Cookbook for Kids would seem to have a specific audience. But I would argue that with its collection of kid-friendly, creative and tasty dishes, this cookbook would appeal to anyone cooking for kids!

Kids in the Kitchen is one of the Kosher by Design series of cookbooks. At one time or another I have borrowed (and loved) all of these from my Temple's library. Kids in the Kitchen encourages grown-ups to invite our children into the kitchen to help us cook, by giving them their own set of recipes designed just for them. In fact, you'll find two introductions in the book, one for adults and one just for kids. Each recipe is rated for difficulty by a chef's hat system, and recipes are organized with an equipment list, and ingredient list and serving suggestions.

If I could only pick one adjective to describe Kids in the Kitchen it would be COLORFUL. The publisher spared no expense in creating a book which appeals to the senses in a kid-friendly way. So many people try to "sneak" nutrition into childrens' dishes, but this cookbook celebrates nutritious cuisine by presenting food that's attractive to look at and fun to make. My daughter can't wait to make her own Caesar Salad (gorgeous photo on page 39) bursting with Romaine lettuce and a sour-cream or yogurt based dressing with Worcestershire sauce providing a hint of anchovy. Another winner is Asian Wonton Soup-- no problem getting her to eat green onions in this brothy, pasta filled soup (although she might skip the shiitake mushrooms). An innovative recipe, Tortilla Fruit Cups, lets kids create their own edible ramekins from bought flour tortillas sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and folded into muffin cups. Kids then fill them with a fruit and yogurt mixture.

The captivating, full-page photographs of each dish really make this cookbook rise to the top. Sometimes food photography falls flat and can even detract. John Uher has done a first class job of making every single dish look appetizing and dressed for a slumber party or special occasion. Just look at the front cover-- colorful sugar cookies pop off the plate, festooned with curly ribbon and cooking utensils that literally smile at the reader. While not every dish is dressed for a party, some look equally appetizing for a quick weeknight supper, like Bean, Rice and Cheese Burritos (easy to make). The photos in Kids in the Kitchen would help anyone, kids or adults, choose an appealing recipe and help them visualize the final product.

You'll find an abundance of creative recipes in Kids in the Kitchen. Even plain white cake is jazzed up with a jolt of rainbow sprinkles. There are simple treats, like Chocolate Croissants made with puff pastry and chocolate bars (easy) and more elaborate inventions, like White Chocolate Mousse in Chocolate Boxes. What kid wouldn't enjoy building their own serving dish from a chocolate bar (glued together with melted chocolate, of course)? In every category, Susie Fishbein has assembled a balanced and diverse cache of recipes to please any picky eater. Some are loaded with veggies or fruit, others are simple and classic like Saucy Franks or Shake and Bake Chicken.

If you're new to Kosher Cooking, it's cooking which follows biblical dietary rules. The Kosher laws prohibit eating pork and shellfish, and forbid combining dairy products with meat in a single meal. Strict kosher dietary laws are actually much more complicated, and Jewish people often fall somewhere on a spectrum of how "Kosher" their cooking and eating gets. I have gotten very lax about keeping Kosher myself, but I admire those who take the time and energy to follow these biblical commandments as their own. All the dishes in this book are Kosher, but it's up to parents to make sure that dairy dishes aren't consumed with meat ones.

Audience: If you're buying this book to cook FOR kids, I predict the recipes would appeal to any age group. If you're buying this book for kids to use, I would say it's for children about 10 years old and up. Younger children could definitely help make some of the recipes, but a grownup's supervision is required for recipes requiring the stove, microwave, knives etc. Chocolate Fondue for example, employs the microwave to melt chocolate, which is then whisked with cream, butter and vanilla until smooth. Cooking Mac and Cheese requires boiling the macaroni and melting butter, milk and cheese in a pot while stirring. Root Beer Floats are a classic kid's drink to prepare--as simple as scooping ice cream into a tall glass and covering with root beer, whipped cream, hot fudge and a cherry. One of the most complicated recipes, Cookies-n-Creamwiches, requires the cook to make the cookies from scratch and fill them with store-bought ice cream, definitely a project for teenagers or with Mom or Dad's help. The finished product is darling, though, and would be a showstopper at a party.

Final Thoughts ~ I have no reservations recommending this cookbook. It's obvious that a lot of thought, planning and testing went into this publication, and in my opinion, the author and publisher hit a home run with it!

Discover another must-have cookbook: Hadassah Jewish Holiday Cookbook serves up TRADITION a la Fiddler On the Roof!

Note: This is my third contribution to Laurashriti's Library writeoff. Don't forget your Church or Synagogue library ~ there may be a wealth of reading treasures hidden there. Best thing ~ no fines for overdues :)

keywords: kids, cookbook, kosher, cooking, jewish, review, rating, opinion, kids in the kitchen, fishbein, kosher by design, recipes

Recommended: Yes