The Best Beginner's Cookbook Ever!

Cookbooks for kids and novices have a tendency to talk down to their readers.That's the quickest way to turn anyone off to the great experiment of cooking. However there's a really neat and informative one out there. This is the perfect must have not just for those little chefs and newbies but also for kitchen experienced foodies too.

This marvelous book is called Starting from Scratch:What You Should Know about Food and Cooking (Owl Kids Books) and it was expertly written by Sarah Elton and sweetly illustrated by Jeff Kulak. Ms..Elton is a Canadian author on several books ranging from locavore  dining and Canadian cuisine. She also is a food columnist for the CBC's Radio program Here and Now. She has a deft hand at explaining even the most complicated of cooking methods and putting them into simple terms. and ideas.Everything from food prep to clean up is listed and explained why . Also thoroughly explained are the tools used from pots to measuring cups and their purpose. There is even a section on how to stock a pantry which is one of the most important factors in running a good kitchen. She also is big hearted to mention other cookbook authors like Jamie Oliver and Mark Bittman in one section.

What I like the most (although I like every page of this amazing guide) is Ms. Elton's push for healthy eating. She wrote a very good section on the evils of fast food and why it's always better to create your own fun snacks and treats.Another plus is her What Goes With What chart on making different types of cuisines, from Italian to Indian. .It's a great way to create the perfect themed dinner thanks to four columns of herbs, fats, flavors ,veggies and other foods. A novice chef can create a pretty authentic meal. her recipes are simple and best of all healthy. Kids can cut their culinary teeth on oatmeal cookies, pasta sauce and granola. She throws in the tasty and grown up recipe lentil soup too for some sophistication.

Starting From Scratch:What You Should Know about Food and Cooking is one of the best kid and novice cookbooks out there.It is the perfect way to introduce any kid or even kitchen challenged adult to the fun and amazing world of  cooking . They will learn a lifetime of lessons and hints!