Reviews - Books for Children
the toddler COOKBOOK - Review
By Cynthia Kirkeby
May 17, 2008, 10:28 PST
Annabel Karmel has created a step by step cookbook for cooking with young children called "the toddlers COOKBOOK." The book is full of tasty treats, excellent step by step photos, and clear easy to follow directions.
Yum! More Fun Than A Room Full of Toddlers!
There are 19 recipes in the cookbook with kid pleasers like Peanut Butter Bears, Chicken Dippers, Easy Cheesy Bread Rolls, and Tropical Ice Pops. Some of the others may be a bit more of a stretch for some kids, like Salmon Fishcakes and Lettuce Boats, but they may have so much fun making the recipes that they actually decide it's okay to eat the results.
I've had kids try out some of the recipes, (which slowed down my review a bit) and they loved the kid friendly food they made. Thanks to the author and DK Publishing you can try one of the recipes yourself, although to get the benefit of the great step by step photos, you'll have to get a copy of the book yourself.
Easy Cheesy Bread Rolls
You Will Need:
1 envelope of fast acting yeast (1/4 oz)
1 tsp sugar
2/3 cup water
1/2 cup aged Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1-2/3 cups white bread flour plus extra for dusting
1/4 tsp salt
tbsp sunflower or olive oil
1 egg
sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and poppy seeds
Bake at 400 degrees
Makes 8 rolls (or 16 mini rolls)
How to Make Them
Start with yeast
Put the yeast in a small bowl with the sugar. Add 3 Tbsp of water and stir to dissolve the yeast. Leave to stand for 5 minutes.
Grate The Cheese
Meanwhile, grate the Cheddar cheese on the large holes of a box grater, and grate the Parmesan using the fine holes. Be careful! Reviewer's note: using a crank style grater or a guard while using the box grater is HIGHLY recommended, especially for young children.
Mix Flour and Yeast
Put the flour in a large bowl and stir in the salt. Make a dip in the center and add the oil and the yeast liquid (this should be frothy).
Make Into Dough
Add the rest of the water and mix to a soft dough. Add a teaspoon of extra water if the dough is dry.
Knead Until Smooth
Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth - this will take about 10 minutes. Use the heel of your hand to work the dough.
Pat Dough In A Circle
Pat the dough out into a circle about 8 inches across. Spread the grated cheeses over it, then fold the dough in half.
Fold In The Cheese
Fold in half again, so that the cheese is enclosed. Knead for 1-2 minutes more to work in the cheese.
Make into Balls
Divide the dough into 8 pieces (or 16 for mini rolls) and form each one into a ball. Put on a lightly oiled cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart and press down slightly.
Leave to rise - Cover with a damp dish towel and leave in a warm draft-free place for 4--45 minutes. The rolls are ready to bake when they are roughly double their original size. Preheat the oven after around 35 minutes.
Brush With Egg
Beat the egg with a pinch of salt. Uncover the rolls and brush the tops with a little of the beaten egg. Sprinkle them with seeds, then put them in the oven.
Bake the rolls for 12 - 14 minutes Bake at 400 degrees
Try this -
Add sliced, sun-dried tomatoes to the dough at step 6. You could also make animal- shaped rolls.
One of my favorite recipes in the book is the Chicken Satay Skewers. I can't imagine any kids turning this recipe down. Between the peanut butter and the chicken, it's sure to please the toddlers in your life. There are only five steps in this particular recipe and it yields ten delicious skewers.
In addition to the recipes, there are directions for having a cooking party. A bunch of toddlers in the kitchen all at once? Sounds like the recipe for a great time! Bon Appetit! and Enjoy!
