Children’s Vegetarian Cookbook Review

BAKE, MAKE & LEARN TO COOK VEGETARIAN:
Healthy and Green Recipes for Young Cooks

Written by David Atherton

Illustrated by Alice Bowsher

(Candlewick Press; $17.99, Ages 5-9)

Cooking with kids is so much fun; I appreciate kids’ cookbooks that go the extra step to explain how “eating green” also means doing something good for the planet. The 2019 Great British Baking Show Winner, David Atherton’s latest cookbook, Bake, Make & Learn to Cook Vegetarian: Healthy and Green Recipes for Young Cooks, showcases meat-free dishes.

Written for elementary-age kids, every page has colorful illustrations by Alice Bowsher that bring the recipes to life and add in cute animal characters. One of my favorite recipes is Cheesy Nutty Gnudi, similar to gnocchi or spaetzle but lightened up with ricotta. Delicious!

This time of year when pears are abundant, I tried Lemon & Pear Muffins which provided a clever twist from the usual apple muffins. Another seasonal hit is Winter Reindeer Puds—that’s Sticky Pudding for us Americans! The yummy almond, carrot, and raspberry mixture is topped with a hot, chocolate sauce. They can be easily decorated to resemble reindeer for the holiday season.

Since these are recipes for young kids, they are meant to be made with adult supervision. What a fun way to ring in the new year with someone you love! Beyond wintertime, keep this book on hand for recipes geared toward other seasons. Many are year-round staples such as Veggie Burgers, Mini Pizza Swirls, and Ice-Dream Smoothie made with cauliflower florets (really!). An ideal treat for the cook or baker in your life.

•  Reviewed by Christine Van Zandt (www.ChristineVanZandt.com), Write for Success (www.WriteforSuccessEditing.com), @ChristineVZ and @WFSediting, Christine@WriteforSuccessEditing.com

All Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA, interior images reproduced in this post are from Edelweiss.