Cooking and Family Make a Great Recipe for Play Any Time of Year

The kitchen has all the ingredients for play!

Sure, it’s the time of year to give thanks, get together with family and get in the holiday mood. It’s also the time of year to eat … a lot.

Given this week’s focus on food, what a great time to dig into some great cookbooks geared toward children’s tastes.

Cooking and family make a great recipe for play any time of year. Here’s just a few titles to inspire some fun in the kitchen. Follow the links for reviews!

The Family Kitchen: Easy and Delicious Recipes for Parents and Kids to Make and Enjoy Together by Debra Ponzek

Sharing fun cooking steps with children maximizes family time, so each recipe in this collection includes a list of tasks just for kids. Chef and owner of Aux Delices specialty food stores in Connecticut, Ponzek is the winner of awards including Food and Wine magazine's "10 Best New Chefs" and Chefs of America "Chef of the Year”.

Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair

For nearly 15 years, Feeding the Whole Family has been the source for parents who want to cook one healthy meal for the entire family, including babies. An assistant professor in the School of Nutrition and Exercise Science at Bastyr University, Lair begins with the basics of creating a whole foods diet from understanding grains and beans to determining what meats are acceptable to eat. Every simple-to-follow recipe utilizes easy-to-find ingredients.

Revolting Recipes by Roald Dahl

Beloved children’s fiction author Roald Dahl presents a fun and creative approach to cooking with kids that involves the use of storytelling and imagination. Kids will have an awesome experience making these unusual recipes from Dahl's stories, which include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as James and the Giant Peach.

New Junior Cookbook by Better Homes & Gardens Cooking

This easy step-by-step guide includes kids safety kitchen instructions, menu planning and basic food nutrition information. Designed to appeal to children ages 8-12, it features fun illustrations and the recipes consist of short ingredient lists.

Fairy Tale Feasts by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple

This combination story collection and cookbook stirs the best of both worlds to prepare young chefs for an exciting experience in the kitchen. The unusual format of this book is broken down into brunch, soup, main courses and dessert. Each story and recipe offers insights into Jewish folktales and cuisine.

Kid's Fun and Healthy Cookbook by Nicola Graimes

Getting a healthy meal regimen can be a challenge, but this easy-to-follow cookbook lets kids learn the nutritional facts of foods while learning how to keep a balanced diet. This book is also vegetarian friendly since every meal recipe offers a vegetarian version.

Happy Thanksgiving and bon appétit!