Customer Reviews

Kitchen Playdates: Easy Ideas for Entertaining That Includes the Kids ** 70 Delicious Recipes

5 star:		(12)
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2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a cookbook. That's it. Now, what is so bad about that? When I got this book I thought it would be more of a party-planning book, such as Christopher Lowell's: themes, and dishes to go with the themes. But it's not. It's just a book telling about how she likes to cook with her kids and other families, the fact that she is a Food Network producer and trained chef, and all the places she has lived in. The dishes are arranged the usual way: appetizers, mains, desserts, etc. There are maybe four-themed "parties," and all she does is reference the page numbers of the recipes, and several themes use the exact same recipes for each!

Now tell me something: would your kids eat dishes like

pickled shrimp with mango and fennel? (and would you serve shrimp to a crowd of people, kids included?)

duck and andouille jambalaya? (and once again, would you serve duck to a crowd, only to be thrown out and wasted by the children?)

grilled lobsters with garlic butter? (um, yeah, what part of this are the children going to be able to do? Grilling around children? My idea of a supervision nightmare.)

This is a beautiful cookbook full of color photos and beautiful graphic design (not a photo for each dish, however). And there are some kid-friendly recipes, like Spaghetti carbonara and Parmesan chicken fingers. But do you need a kids' cookbook for that? Your standard Betty Crocker cookbook has these recipes, I'm sure.

This is a fun idea, and cooking with your kids is wonderful. But this is not marketed correctly. If you're going to cook with $40 ingredients, don't try it out on your kids or others' kids. Let them Try your entree at a restaurant and THEN make it at home.

Finally! Here is a book that teaches children to cook meals with their parents that the adults will want to eat too! The pictures are gorgeous and the anecdotes that accompany the recipes add color and humor to the book. My kids looooove the Parmesan Chicken Fingers and the Stuffed French Toast!! We can't wait to try the "Sweets" chapter....This is a great guide to get kids involved in the kitchen! Highly recommended!

I ordered this book when looking for something fun but practical in the kitchen, as my 3 1/2 year old has realized that making PB&J sandwiches with cookie cutters does not qualify as "cooking." These recipes are fun and engaging, and something I can serve to my kids AND my book club friends. It also provides fabulous recipes for introducing new foods (veggies in particular) to both my children. We made one recipe last night (after I got the book earlier in the day), and we're making another one tonight!

Last but certainly not least, while reading through the book last night I noticed that the recipe descriptions and techniques are helpful to someone who's Food Network-watching days have been replaced by Noggin and Nikelodeon. :)

From Mommy and Daughter, alike: MORE PLEASE!!!

Relying on major star power (Martha Stewart, Bobby Flay) is the reason this book has gotten the press it has. Excited by the "Baker's Dozen Eggs" recipe featured on Martha Stewart in which kids baked eggs in little bread cups in a muffin tin, I ordered this book without reviewing it. Disappointment is what I received. I thought these recipes would be kid friendly, as in the kids can prepare them and will want to eat them. When really they are recipes with fancy ingredients for developed tastes (Seared wrapped scallops with balsamic glaze, zucchini and mint bruschetta, baked rigatoni with sausage, butternut squash and kale) with an obligatory side note, such as, "Older kids can chop the vegetables and help skim the soup. Younger ones can wash the dill and butter they rye bread for serving." That is supposed to keep them engaged while an entire dinner is being prepared?

As for the playdates, my favorite quote from the Dinner Swap Playdate sums it up: "It gets pretty crowded and chaotic, so this tends to be less of a hands-on playdate and more of a grown-up activity." Not so kid friendly, I think....

While some recipes are beautifully illustrated and there are a few rare gems, including Baker's Dozen Eggs, Dad's Campfire Potatoes and Confetti Spaghetti; overall it's not worth the money if you are looking for practical recipes that normal kids will eat and can help prepare.

My family and friends-- young and old --are having a great time with this book! It's inspiring and everything is achievable. My 9 & 11 year olds are crazy about the simple chocolate candy recipe with the secret 'special' ingredient. The recipes are easy to follow and the meals are family-friendly -- with a grown up and modern twist. Way better than trying to socialize with kids & friends in a restaurant.

I really enjoyed this book, I love trying to get my kids to help out in the kitchen, and they are so proud when they know that our whole family is eating something they helped prepare. My favorite recipes so far are the parchment baked halibut and the 1-2-3 cheese tart - which is an amazing way to really impress your guests with very little effort. My 4-year daughter though, keeps reminding me that I have to make the beautiful fairy-tale cake for her next birthday party.

i cant say enough good things about this cookbook...but will try.... i previewed a copy of this book at a friend's house and was really impreseed with all of the recipe comments, alternative suggestions, family stories, pantry info, wit and charm. it is so well written! and the recipes looked fabulous, and fairly easy (for a novice like myself) and there's something for both kids and adults. last night i made the Baked Rigatoni with Sausage, Butternut Squash, and Kale. I loved, loved, loved it. and i converted my friend who's initial comment was "couldn't you keep the vegetables in a separate bowl in case it doesnt taste good mixed together - like my mom always does???". This momma's-boy had two huge helpings and couldnt stop raving about it! Kudos to you Lauren! and thanks for putting such hard work into this book so we could have such a great resource.

I really love this book because I don't see any processed ingredients--everything is whole and healthy! I want my kids to learn to COOK, not open a box and add some sliced carrots to it or something.
I love that this book teaches kids to love food (not hide it).
Just a blast!
Quick edit--my 3, 6 and 9 yr. old made the baker's dozen this morning and I was duly impressed. It looked tricky but they pulled it off and we had a yummy meal (we added some grapefruit to go with it). we also used some applegate honey ham instead of prosciottio (I admit I did not have faith in my kids' putting this together and didn't want to throw out some pricey meat but they proved me wrong!). If you have kids, buy this book!

My daughter loves her 'grown-up food" cook book...we have had such fun while at the same time getting her to eat a greater variety of veges ... Also, the tips are really helpful in setting a stress-free tone between us and with others. Brilliant job..thanks for taking the time putting this to paper..I don't know how you did it, but it works! Also, it's making a really great gift...thanks again.

As a food loving daddy, I've always tried to include my daughter in my cooking endeavors. I figured if she saw the whole experience as fun and joyful, food itself would become fun and joyful. So far so good. Kitchen Playdates is a great manual for such a plan. It's helping me include her in more things and to branch out. I wish I had it the last 5 years.