Cookbook Review: The Family Kitchen

When I first picked up this book, I thought the title sounded promising but leafing through the glossy pages I thought again. I thought, "pretty books like this rarely have real recipes for real families" (in my opinion anyway!)

Boy was I wrong! A former New York City chef and restaurateur, Debra Ponzek combines her culinary experience with her experience as a mom merging those two loves. Page after page, each recipe sounds more delicious (and kid-appealing) than the next. Recipes like Apple Pancake, Blueberry Crumb Muffins, Ham, Cheddar and Tomato Quesadillas, Turkey Meatloaf or Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes. Talk about yummy! I've been cooking with my children since they could stand up, so I'm always looking for fun ways to bring them into the kitchen. Not only does it provide a time for us to spend time together, but generally, they are more apt to eat what they have prepared. That's a win-win!

For each recipe, she also includes a "Call the Kids" section that gives you a list of steps where the kids can help prepare the dish--things like measuring water, peeling carrots, measuring dry ingredients, pouring in ingredients, stirring into ingredients and more. Of course, you decide what they can do based on their age and ability but it's a great guide to get your family started cooking in the kitchen together!

She also talks about organizing your kitchen workspace into "stations" so that more than one child can work alongside you and there's less squabbling about who's in who's space (yes, that happens at my house too!)

This "pretty" cookbook really delivers!