Foodies: Books with recipes

Let's just say that cooking and being in the kitchen is not one of my favorite things to do. Before my kids I enjoyed spending some of my time browsing the cooking magazines and trying out new recipes for my husband. Granted they had to be on the easy side. But once I had my kids, spending endless hours in the kitchen was not how I wanted to spend my time. Honestly I would rather be outside hiking, or biking or doing something else. Don't get me wrong, I like food. I enjoy eating delicious food, but cooking, I'm not so great at. I do love to bake. So that will be another post for another time. Here are a few wonderful stories about young girls who enjoy to cook and their adventures in and out of the kitchen.

I just recently finished reading Eggs over Evie  by Alison Jackson. This is a lovely story about a young girl, Evie who is 13 years old and loves to cook. She comes by it honestly as her father is a famous chef. But her world has been turned upside down since her parents divorce. Her dad has moved across town with the family dog to start a new family with his young new wife who by the way is pregnant with twins. This is an appealing story for anyone going through some family upheaval as well as having a love to be in the kitchen.  Each chapter is headed by a quote from a celebrity chef that foreshadows the events to come and concludes with a recipe for whatever Evie is preparing.
(for grades 4-6)

My Chocolate Year by Charlotte Herman
Another great little read with some yummy sweet recipes included. This story takes place after World War II in New York City. Dorrie Meyers is starting fifth grade, the year of the Sweet Semester baking and essay contest at school. Dorrie is determined to win, but her cakes fall flat, her cookies look like pancakes, and she learns the hard way that chocolate-covered gum is NOT a good idea. Then Dorrie meets her cousin Victor for the first time. Victor is an immigrant from Europe, and he is about to teach Dorrie that a loving family and a safe homeland are the sweetest things of all. With some top-secret tips from Victor's family's bakery and a big slice of confidence, Dorrie Meyers might just have the yummiest year of her life. This is a sweet story with 12 wonderful recipes that gives the reader a little taste of life as an immigrant during some hard times. (for grades 4-6).

Last but not least one of my favorite stories, Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath.
Primrose, 11, waits patiently for her lost-at-sea parents to return to their charming town of Coal Harbor, British Columbia. In the meantime, a cast of delightfully eccentric characters weaves in and out of her world. Her charismatic Uncle Jack agrees to take care of his niece while trying to get rich on the town's tourist-industry possibilities. A misguided school counselor ineffectively tries to convince Primrose that her parents are gone forever, while at the same time setting her sights on Uncle Jack. An aging neighbor, a restaurant owner, and a charming pair of foster parents are among the other adults who try to help Primrose. Though temporarily parentless and decidedly accident prone (she loses two digits and sets fire to a guinea pig, among other mishaps), Primrose has a subtle, but profound effect on the grown-ups who come to her aid. In a variety of ways, she asks each of them whether they've ever placed hope and faith above mere logic, and the answers are always revealing. At the same time, the girl grows by observing and listening to those she encounters. Her first-person narration is just right, conveying her matter-of-fact optimism in the face of some pretty bizarre (and funny) events. Each chapter ends with a recipe that Primrose collects from various people, including the restaurant owner who serves each dish on her menu atop a waffle. The story is full of subtle humor and wisdom, presented through the eyes of a uniquely appealing young protagonist.- Reviewed for School Library Journal by Steven Engelfried, Deschutes County Library, Bend (Grades 4-7).

Happy Cooking and Reading!!