Review: Teen Cuisine

Summary: Calling All Teens ...

Take over the vast empty space called the kitchen and learn gourmet cooking from a master chef!

Over 50 mouthwatering step-by-step recipes, from "Brilliant Breakfasts" to "Star-Studded Salads" to "Shooting Star Entrees" and "Red Carpet Desserts". Each recipe an American favorite!

* "Pizza Coast-to-Coast" section introduces pizza from three regions of the United States: New York, Chicago, and California

* More than 60 dazzling photographs by James Peterson

* "On Your Mark ... Get Set ... Cook!" format of recipes provides helpful organization

* Step-by-step drawings clarify steps whenever necessary

* Chef’s tips, safety section, cooking terms, and definitions

* Kitchen essentials and kitchen equipment

* An emphasis on fresh, nutritious ingredients for healthy eating

* Plus much more at an affordable price for $22.95 -- Marshall Cavendish

It's been a little while since I've reviewed a cookbook here -- mainly because I'm dieting and it's not the best time to try delicious recipes! However, I recently received a copy of TEEN CUISINE by Matthew Locricchio. Despite being many years away from being a teen, I thought I might find some relatively easy recipes in this cookbook; and that's certainly a major criteria I have for cooking these past few months. Plus, Booking Daughter is rapidly approaching her teen years and I thought it might be nice to get her cooking (and as a result, trying new foods.)

The first thing that struck me about TEEN CUISINE is how absolutely beautiful it is. It's almost like a coffee table book because it's filled with so many gorgeous color photographs. I have to admit that the first time I opened the book, I just skimmed through the photos instead of actually looking at the recipes! It's just that attractive.

However, once I started my second look-through, I quickly realized that TEEN CUISINE was much more than just a cute cookbook for teenagers. There were quite a few good recipes in this book and I found the instructions to be informative for cooks of all ages. The book is divided into the following chapters: Brilliant Breakfasts, Snacks and Co-Stars, Celebrity Soups, Star-Studded Salads and Dressings, Sandwich and Burger Show Stoppers, Pizza Coast to Coast, Side Shows, Shooting Star Entrees, and Red-Carpet Desserts. Along with the over 50 recipes, the author includes Chef's Tips as well as detailed instructions divided into the headings "On your mark..., Get Set...., Cook!"

There were many recipes that I wanted to try and I had a hard time choosing; however, the good old diet put a crimp in more than a few of my plans. I finally decided to make the recipe for Black Beans. First of all, my kids will actually eat black beans (along with some rice); and the recipe in this cookbook was also allergy-friendly -- a big plus in my world! The recipe was very simple and I found the instructions to be very detailed and specific. My only issue is that I cooked the beans almost 45 minutes longer than the recipe called for and my husband still thought they were too hard. I kind of agreed with him, but they were tasty! It could be that I didn't have the beans simmering at a high enough temperature, and I definitely could have cooked them a little longer. Either way, next time I know to adjust accordingly!

There are some other terrific recipes that I intend to try over the next few months like the Chicken Pot Pie, the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, and many of the soups. I especially appreciated the variety of recipes in the breakfast and dessert chapters of the book -- no surprise there! In addition, I think teens will appreciate the chapters devoted to pizza and sandwiches because they just seem like "teen" foods!

TEEN CUISINE is definitely not just a cookbook for teens -- it's perfect for people new to cooking as well as moms who have been making meals for years.

Thanks to FSB Associates for sending me a copy of this cookbook.