Kids Cooking Lessons is a 67 page eBook packed with recipes, lessons, activities, glossaries and certificates for kids ages 6 to 18. It’s divided into age-based sections – Assistant Chef, ages 3 to 6; Chef-In-Training, ages 7 to 11; Junior Chef, ages 12 to 15; and Senior Chef, agens 16 to 18. Each section contains 13 lessons that contain tasks for the age group, safety information, recipes, activities and a certificates of achievement for the level. The lessons are made for parent and child interaction, although at the Junior & Senior Level they more independent. Each of the recipe activities helps reinforce the skills for the lesson and, although the kids and I haven’t made all of them yet, they are fun to do together. There’s also a glossary of terms at that end, which is useful to help define various cooking terms and techniques you’ll be working through.

One of the main reasons I like these lessons is because, even though the kids and I cook a lot together, we can get into ruts sometimes, cooking the same things over and over. The lessons give us something new to try, plus, the structured format allows us to focus on a specific technique that we can use in our other cooking as well. Personally, I think it would be super cool if this book came out in hardcover, with areas for notes and places to add other recipes. Since it doesn’t, what we’ve done is printed it out, punched holes and put it in a three ring binder with blank note paper. We keep a couple other cooking related eBooks in the binder as well, so we have all our kitchen learning materials in one place.

For only $14.95, this eBook is an affordable way to inspire family cooking time with new ideas and techniques. It’s also great to use in a group setting, like a scouting or youth group or as part of a homeschooling curriculum. Even for kids who have spent some time in the kitchen (like Alex and Soph), the lessons are a fun way to practice. And, for young kids, or those with no experience, but who do express an interest in cooking, these lessons are a perfect way to get them started building up some culinary knowledge.

If you’re ready to organize and take your family cooking time to another level, order your families copy of Kids Cooking Lessons today and get started!

Happy Family Cooking Everyone!

Kelly, Alex and Sophia

One item on Sophia’s Christmas list for 2009 was the Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker. Before I go further, I do want to admit that,despite my love of cooking, I’m not a huge fan of toys like Easy Bake Ovens or Girl Gourmet Cupcake Makers. I feel that if your going to cook real food, you should do it in a real kitchen and learn how to do it the real way.  BUT, she really wanted this OR an Easy Bake, and since this is a new toy on the scene, she got the Cupcake Maker.

First I’ll just share some observations. The instructions are simple and clear, however, the measurements for the mixes were not accurate. I realize that depending on climate/humidity, the liquid measurements to be added to the mixes were not accurate. The cupcake mix needed at least a 1/2 Tablespoon additional liquid and the frosting about 1/2 a teaspoon. And, the frosting was tricky–when they say it should be the consistency of play dough, they mean play dough. Our first two attempts were a bit runny and it dripped out from the dispenser thingy.

Speaking of the dispenser thingy, on the commercials, it looks like it decorates the cupcakes all pretty and in a controlled manner, well not so in the real world. I guess I should have known this (and at some level I did); but the first couple of times we used it, the cupcake spun itself right off of that little holder thing. Plus, the frosting application is far from cute. We always just end up spreading it ourselves after applying it with the dispenser.

The one thing that is amazing is that the cupcakes really do cook in the microwave in 30 seconds. They taste ok, but Soph thinks they’re super delicious. I say ‘eh’.

Now, despite all my criticism, Soph still thinks it’s cool. I think she likes the novelty of it. She does admit that making cupcakes with Mom and decorating them with her pastry bag and tips is more fun. That being said, for $20 I paid, I suppose it’s OK.

My overall rating is 3 out of 5. It only gets a 3 because Soph likes it. I guess it’s an OK gift if you’re giving to a non-cooking family. Personally, I’d say if you’re considering it, buy the giftee a cupcake pan, a pastry bag and some decorating tips; it’ll give them the opportunity to learn more, have more fun and maybe, spend some time with others in the family.

To see the Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker in action, just check out this weeks show. Thanks for watching!

NOTE: Soph’s Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker was purchased by me (Mom) as a Christmas gift. We did not receive anything for this review.