Weekend Cooking: The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen

Do you love America's Test Kitchen (ATK) as much as I do? If you haven't yet tried their books and recipes, you're missing out big time on a trusted recipe source.

Why am I a fan? Because they test, test, test every recipe, offer hints and tips, and tell you exactly why you need to use that ingredient or that technique.

I learned to cook at my mother's and grandmothers' elbows, though I did take home ec in high school and experimented like crazy once I got my first apartment. I didn't use cookbooks geared to children because the recipes were so dumb. Every dish was a little too cutesy for me or was totally unappealing.

 Modern kids' cookbooks often have the same failings. So when I learned that ATK was coming out with a cookbook for children, I just had to take a look. Enter The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, Oct. 16).

Where was this cookbook when I was young? Or when I was in high school? I love this book! First of all, the recipes were tested by 750 middle schoolers, mostly in their home kitchens. These real kids made the dishes and gave honest feedback--the good and the bad. If a recipe was too hard or the flavors weren't there, ATK tweaked until they got it right in the eyes (and stomachs) of their young chefs.

I so appreciate the general style of this book. The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs makes no assumptions about previous skills and knowledge, but at the same time ATK respects its audience. In fact, this cookbook is perfect for any new cook of any age.

Front of the book: The early chapters contain a ton of useful information, such as how to use the book, how to read a recipe, and what cooking terms mean (chopping, dicing). Young cooks will also find explanations of equipment and techniques and safety tips, all presented in fun fonts and bright colors.

Back of the book: At the back of The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs, interested cooks will find nutritional data for each recipe, metric and weight conversion charts, and information on healthy eating (such as how to make good food choices).

The recipes: Of course, what most of you really want to know about is the recipes. Thank you, thank you, thank you, ATK. The cookbook is all about real food, not cute food or simplistic dishes or things no one really eats. These are familiar foods (some with new twists) that any chef would be proud to serve to friends after school or to present to the family table. Here are some examples

• Breakfast: granola bars; avocado toast with eggs; waffles
• Snacks: homemade salsa, quesadillas
• Soups & sandwiches: wraps, homemade veggie burgers
• Dinners: pasta, meatballs, pork chops, stir-fry, chili
• Baking and grains: brownies, biscuits, quinoa with herbs
• Sides: unique salads, Mexican street corn

Each recipe is rated for difficulty, has an accompanying photo, and clear directions, including estimated preparation and cooking times. Many recipes include variations (called "Make It Your Way"), illustrated guides to techniques, serving tips, and reviews from the young chef recipe testers.

Recommendation: I can't say enough great things about American Test Kitchen's The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs. If you have an interested young chef in your house or if you're a twenty-something who hasn't a clue what to do in the kitchen, this is the book for you. It truly is the book I wish I had when I was a kid. (Review eGalley provided by the publisher)

Note on the scans: The photos and recipe scan come from uncorrected proofs and are used here in the context of a review. All rights remain with the copyright holder (ATK, Sourcebooks).

The following recipe was scanned from The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs. I thought a scan would give you a better feel for the cookbook than if I had typed it out. Click the image to enlarge, so you can read the text. (Remember this is from uncorrected proof.)

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