Bible Lessons in the Kitchen

Bible Lessons in the Kitchen was written by Elaine Magee, MPH, RD. It contains 26 lessons and 40 recipes for use at home or in formal settings, such as Sunday School or youth group. This cookbook includes instructions for all types of food from main dishes and beverages to breads and desserts.

Each lesson offers a short paragraph correlating the recipe to Christianity then one or more passages from Scripture. The recipe sections are thorough and include ingredient lists, prep instructions and class instructions. Many of the recipes require the teacher to do most of the work at home, then just a small bit with the kids during class.

The last pages include both an index of Bible verses and an index of recipes and lessons.

What I Like: I am all for hands-on approaches to Bible teaching! This book provides a lot of great recipes, each with nutritional information included. I really like the "Teacher Tips" section at the beginning of the book. This four-page introduction offers excellent guidelines for minimizing chaos and making the most of your efforts while minimizing frustration.

What I Dislike: The “Bible lessons” in this book are extremely weak. Some are even biblically inaccurate. (For example: the Adam and Eve lesson claims the forbidden fruit definitely was an apple. The Bible never says that.) Many lessons don’t teach anything; they simply say something like “cooking this food will remind us of such-and-such story.” One titled “Finding God’s Peace” says that God’s symbol of peace is a dove and we should look for it on the backs of cars.

I greatly appreciate the inclusion of Scripture and their references, but feel some of the passages were taken out of context or stretched to make them “fit” the recipes. For example, “Cream of Old Testament Soup” references a passage that mentions the ingredients of the soup, but the verses express Israelites’ complaints that God isn’t providing enough diversity in their diets. What does a soup of discontent teach children?

Furthermore, the lessons do not appear to be organized in any fashion, neither by subject nor by food type. Their order seems very random. The index is helpful, but I would have liked to see the lessons categorized into chapters: holidays, Old Testament stories, etc. or even breads, desserts, main dishes, and the like.

Overall Rating: I’m really torn about how to rate this. It’s a great idea and the recipes are good, but the shallow devotions and lack of organization really disappoint. I definitely don’t feel it’s worth the cover price, so I’m rating it “Ho-Hum.”

Age Appeal: 5 and up

Publisher Info: Wiley, 1997; ISBN: 0471346624; Paperback; $16.95

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Special Info: Please note that many of these recipes require a bread machine. You may also be interested in our reviews of other cookbooks.

Our Favorite Kid's Cookbooks

When we take our kids into the kitchen with us, we are not only helping them learn an important life skill, but we're letting them learn about math and science (in a way far more interesting than any textbook could provide) and how to follow written directions. Kids who cook also recieve a confidence and self esteem boost, and are more likely to eat well. (Children always seem more interested in eating what they've grown or helped cook.) Kitchen time is also great family time - a way to create many happy memories.

So with these things in mind, I thought it would be interesting to learn what children's cookbooks the ladies here at Christian Children's Book Review would hate to be without.

Beverly tells me her favorite kid's cookbook was created by The Hole in the Wall Camp (established by Paul Newman and A.E.Hotchner, for children with cancer and other terminal diseases). The Hole in the Wall Gang Cookbook (Simon & Schuster, 1998; ISBN 0684848430; hardcover, $14.00) contains over seventy recipes for children to cook with their parents. "One of the things I like best about this cookbook is that the recipes are generally nutritious and fun to make as well," Beverly says. "Interspersed with the recipes are pictures and letters from the camp. This cookbook appropriate for school-age children, and the contributors are Paul Newman’s family and friends and winners of his annual recipe contest. The great thing is that all proceeds from this cookbook go to The Hole in the Wall Gang fund. Make sure you try the Lemonade Chicken Wings!"

Erin has wouldn't want to be without Betty Crocker Kids Cook! (Wiley Publishing, 2007, ISBN: 978-0-471-75309-4, spiral bound hardcover, $19.99), filled with, as she says, " yummy, simple recipes you would actually want to serve for dinner and kids would actually eat." She adds, "Children will feel a sense of accomplishment as they read a recipe, follow directions, and put dinner (or at least part of it) on the table. The recipes are easy enough for upper elementary-age children to make with minimal assistance, and they taste delicious." The cookbook begins with Kitchen ABCs (safety rules and measurement tips), a glossary of terms, and a food pyramid. The rest of the cookbook is divided into breakfast, lunch, drinks, sides, dinner and dessert sections. Erin says her family favorites are "Trees with Cheese" (broccoli with cheese sauce), "Fantastic Dip'n Fruit," and the "Chicken Pot Pie." "Also, the 'Chocolate Chip Cookies' always turn out'"

Erin also says, "If you are looking for a fun addition to your social studies curriculum, a way to celebrate missions night at church, or you need something to do on a gloomy Saturday, the Usborne Internet-linked Children's World Cookbook (Usborne Publishing Ltd., 2000; ISBN: 07945-0098-6; paperback, $13.99) is for you! This cookbook includes recipes from around the globe, as well as sections on fruit, vegetables and bread found in various countries. Pages include photographs of the finished food product, as well as a scene from the country represented. The recipes are presented in steps, and each step is illustrated. Background on the food and terminology are given, as well as notes about landscape, customs, or animals common to the country. This cookbook provides a fun introduction to foods around the world, and you may find children more willing to sample items such as hummus, paella and fried rice if they have had a hand in preparing them" She does note, however, that some recipes are complicated and will require adult assistance.

Tanya writes: "C is for Cooking (Wiley, 2009; ISBN: 0470523077; spiral-bound hardback; $17.95), written by dietitian Susan McQuillian, is definitely my kids' favorite cookbook. They love reading it even when we're not cooking! They love all the bright, colorful pictures of their favorite Sesame Street characters. I love the kid-friendly features sprinkled throughout. These include counting activities (special illustrations featuring The Count with ingredients such as eggs or slices of cheese); alphabet and phonic reinforcement (how many words can you find that start with the letter 'B'?); fun food facts (why do bananas turn brown when mashed?); helpful cooking tips and silly jokes. Recipe steps are marked for age-appropriateness (targeting preschoolers). Safety prevails as a high priority. The book offers a wide variety of recipes, all pretty easy to make. The new 40th Anniversary edition also includes recipes from show guests like Rachael Ray."

Tanya also seconds Erin's pick of Betty Crocker: Kids Cook!, saying it has a simple and inviting format and that the recipes are delicious. She notes this cookbook targets a slightly older audience than the Sesame Street cookbook, about ages 6 - 10. "My kids enjoy the illustrations, a combination of hard-lined cartoons with photographs of the featured recipe."

Tanya also recommends Paula Deen's My First Cookbook (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2008; ISBN 1416950338; sprial bound hardback; $21.99) by celebrity chef Paula Deen. This book, Tanya says, "goes beyond just cooking to actual training. In it she teaches about basic cooking terms and techniques, but also about proper place settings, table manners, and kitchen crafts. The recipes also take the extra step. Standards are included, but so are less common recipes for healthy snacks and fun meals like Stone Soup - complete with the story! One chapter focuses on seasonal and holiday recipes. Simple illustrations by Susan Mitchell highlight each ingredient and accent the recipes and stories throughout."

Robin says she and her kids like the Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cook Book (Wiley, 2004, ISBN: 978-0696220005, spiral bound hardback, $16.95) by Jennifer Darling. She writes, "I still have my 1979 version of this book and we love the recipe for Personal Pizzas...The 2004 version contains entertaining illustrations, has a color photograph of each recipe, and it’s spiral-bound so it lies flat on the counter during use. The foods are what kids want to eat and not necessarily healthy. It’s basic fare." The book includes tips on kitchen safety, setting a table, reading food labels, eating healthy, and using basic cooking equipment. Robin says, "The recipes are straight-forward for older children who might want to cook on their own, but they’re simple enough for a Mom and two small children. Just like my adult BHG cookbook is a trusted source, this junior version could be too - the recipes work."

As for me, the only children's cookbook I've tried with my four year old is Simply in Season Children's Cookbook (Herald Press, 2006, ISBN 978-0836193367, spiral bound hardback, $24.99) and both my daughter and I love it. The book is uniquely divided into seasons, starting with spring. With a clean, crisp layout and lots of color photographs, a few pages in each section are devoted to produce that's in season, including information on how it grows, how to select it for eating, and what other foods it goes well with. Super simple, healthy recipes follow (ideal for preschoolers or kids without much experience in the kitchen). Some favorites are "Peas Please" (peas mixed with a little bit of oil, ginger, and o.j.), Strawberry Dream Cream (home made ice cream that doesn't require an ice cream maker), veggie kebobs, and pumpkin muffins.

What children's cookbooks do you and your kids love to use?

Stirring Up a World of Fun

Just as the subtitle says, Stirring Up a World of Fun is a collection of International Recipes, Wacky Facts and Family Time Ideas, all from a Christian perspective.

This book offers fun ways to incorporate some new foods, interesting facts and great biblical truths. Each chapter features a different region of the world (Africa, Asia, South America, Western Europe, etc.). Within the chapters, sections are divided by country. Obviously, not every nation in the world is represented, but the author does a good job including many of them (over 50 countries) from every corner of the planet. Each page consistently offers four sections:

• The Recipe -- Most have few ingredients and simple instructions. Icons highlight which recipes kids can help prepare and which they can do by themselves.
• Did You Know? -- This section offers interesting facts about one of the recipe's ingredients, the nation of origin or a Bible story that relates to this food or people group.
• What Can You Do? -- Here readers find a project or activity that ties in with the recipe or facts just learned. Sometimes it's a game or conversation starter; sometimes it's a craft or science project.
• What Does the Bible Say? -- This provides a Bible verse (with reference) related to the food or lesson. These make great memory verses or the start of simple meal-time devotions.

What I Like: This is a fun book to have around. I specifically like the format. It's easy to read, easy to follow. Any book that encourages interaction and good food is a big hit in our house! I bought it to teach my children more about missionaries and the countries where they serve. It really isn't aimed that way, but it still serves as a great interactive teaching tool. It would be a wonderful asset for homeschoolers.

What I Dislike: I wish the book were more internationally focused. Of the 100 recipes included, 17 are from Canada or the United States. Almost 20% of the book is devoted to foods most readers already eat and know how to make, like apple pie, brownies or blueberry pancakes.
Also, the "wacky facts" are not always related to the country listed. For example, Vinete, an eggplant dip from Romania, doesn't mention anything about Romania or the people there. Instead it talks about Thomas Jefferson and how he brought eggplant to the United States.
Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: The publisher doesn't offer an age range, but I would say 5 and above. Obviously, as with all cookbooks, adult supervision is required for younger children.

Publisher Info: New Hope Publishers, 2006; ISBN: 1563099195; Paperback; $12.99

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