Razzle Ice Cream Recipe (Kids Cooking Made Easy Cookbook Review)

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Summertime is here! Children are at home and as parents, we try to find activities that will engage our children productively. Learning to cook is a vital skill and one of the best gifts you can give your children. It is also a great way to spend quality time together and they love tasting their own goodies. Cooking with children is a great lesson in working and producing a positive result.

When a the publisher of much of my childhood literature contacted me to review their new cookbook “Kids Cooking Made Easy”, I was thrilled. I knew I would like it. I honestly did not know how much I would love it, though. To find out more about it, you’ll have to read on. But first, the publisher has generously agreed to share with you a sample recipe from the cookbook:

Ice Cream Razzle

4 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 Tbsp milk
2 Tbsp caramel sauce, plus more for the top
½ cup Rice Krispies, plus more for the top
2 Tbsp chocolate chips, plus more for the top
3 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed


1. Place vanilla ice cream into a food processor and let it defrost slightly, 5-10 minutes.
2. Blend ice cream for 5 seconds. Add milk, caramel sauce, Rice Krispies, chocolate chips, and crushed sandwich cookies. Blend for 2 seconds. Pour into 2 large cups. Freeze for 5-10 minutes.
3. Top razzle with more Rice Krispies and chocolate chips. Drizzle with more caramel sauce. Eat right away.

(Recipe from Kids Cooking Made Easy by Leah Schapira and Victoria Dwek
Reprinted with permission from the copyright holders: ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications

And now, for the review:

FIRST IMPRESSIONS


 As I mentioned, I was pleasantly surprised. Artscroll is a quality publisher but this time they really outdid themselves. The recipes are child friendly – the authors asked children what they would like to learn to cook when compiling this. They are so simple yet at the same time unique and original. They are organized in an easy-to-find format and are fun to browse through with the quality full color images. The design is pleasant, up to date, and well-done, making the cookbook easier to use. Since the entire theme of the cookbook is ease of use, this is a crucial feature. It also gives background into the making of the cookbook, with a personal blurb accompanying each recipe. I seriously sat and read through it – it was very interesting.

FEATURES
I think this book is as feature-loaded as a cookbook can possibly be. Here are just a few:
1. It lies flat when open, eliminating the need to prop.
2. It starts off with cooking guides – such as onion readiness, and measurement conversions.
3. Fun yet sophisticated icons accompany the cook throughout, with both helpful hints and “cooking school” tips.


4. Each chapter starts off with a helpful “how-to”. 
5. Each recipe includes a full color photo.
6. More icons illustrate the exact kitchen tools and methods that will be required.
7. All the recipes are kosher (given they are cooked using all kosher ingredients.) These would fit in with Halal dietary needs as well. 

WHAT I LIKED
 The recipes are sophisticated enough for those that are already kitchen-savvy, yet explained in a way anyone can follow. The graphics and photos make it fun to browse through. They leave out the guesswork that a novice may be afraid to try, and explain everything thoroughly. As I mentioned above, it lies flat without the need for propping. Each recipe is a cooking lesson in its own right, covering different topics and techniques. It’s almost like culinary school – except that it costs only $15.99. Cookbooks can be pricey, and I feel as though the price point is very reasonable for a full-featured color cookbook.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
 Honestly, this is a tough one. I do feel as though the title “Kids Cooking” may be slightly deterring to older children, for whom this cookbook is perfect as well. The design, however, which seems to be targeted toward teens, might make up for this. The denim feel and the trendy font shouts out toward that age group.

WHO IT’S GREAT FOR
 *I highly recommend this primarily for parents who want to encourage their teens and tweens to try their hand in the kitchen.
*This is also a great guide for parents who want to teach younger children to cook one on one.
*Newly weds, college freshmen, or others who have little kitchen experience and are starting to cook more.
* Moms looking to feed children who may be picky eaters
I’ve found this to be a very versatile cookbook and great for anyone to use. Those listed above can especially benefit from such a publication, although I feel as though anyone would enjoy going through it.

FINAL SCORE: *****
 I am impressed with this cookbook which manages to maintain a balance of both targeted and universal audiences. It is durable, easy to use, and pleasant to read through. I’d give it five stars in an online review any day.
 
Buy it here! 
Win it!

Disclaimer: I received a free sample of the product to facilitate this honest review. I received no other compensation. All opinions are 100% my own and not influenced in any way. I have rejected in the past products I did not believe were appropriate and would only review a product I personally endorse.

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36 Comments

    1. Some of the recipes are simple enough and some would be a bit complicated. This book gradually teaches different techniques, so it’s great to start early and advance to more over the years. One of the benefits is that the foods themselves are kid friendly (think homemade barbecue sauce chicken, fries, etc) so that even if she just stirs, she’ll feel great having made something she loves!

  1. Great observations regarding the cookbook. I absolutely love the cover art – very inviting…makes me want to read it. I’m huge on color and images, so I think this one wins cool points for that. I also love books that also have a ‘teaching’ component to it.

  2. I love this little cookbook so much! My daughter is really loving being in the kitchen lately so I would love to give this to her so she could give cooking a try by herself!

  3. My kids and I love kid cookbooks. They can’t read yet, but they get excited to pick out recipes based on the pictures and like to help as they can. I’ll definitely have to check this book out.

  4. my kids love to cook but I like to try to find easy recipes for them so it doesn’t end up being a huge mess, I’ll have to try this book out!

  5. Yum! I love kids cookbooks and I love things that don’t appear to be dumbed down for the kiddos, but overall are super easy. Thanks for the review and intro to this one!

  6. We love having Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen time and this book sounds like it would be a great addition to our learning. It sounds like it will be great for the children as they get older too. I also love the fact that it stays open.

  7. I would like this for my son to learn how to cook and prep food in the kitchen. This sounds like a good starter book for kids and my son is 13 and likes to help out in the kitchen when we are making something special or something that he really likes.

  8. I love that it lies flat when opened! I wish all cookbooks did that! If I won this, I would give it to my daughter for Christmas. She absolutely loves being in the kitchen. This is right up her alley!

  9. I LOVE kids cook books! My 6 year old is very interested in cooking, and loves to get in the kitchen and make new recipes with me, I will have to check out this book!

  10. My daughter has said is she does not go to the Olympics she wants to be a chef.. i have bookmarked this for her birthday gift.. she would love this book.

  11. I would love to get that book for my kids. They always want to help me make dinner, but sometimes it’s just a meal I need to do on my own. It would be fun for them to have a special cookbook they can use.

  12. I will have to get this for my kids. My two eldest are always in the kitchen searching through my cookbooks. This would be perfect for them!

  13. I would love to get this for the grandkids. It would be so much fun to teach them how to cook. I think everyone needs to know at least the basics of cooking and then the rest is easy.

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