Cook with Amber: Fun, Fresh Recipes to Get You in the Kitchen
on Goodreads (25)
What’s inside...
In her debut cookbook, teenage culinary mastermind Amber Kelley shares 80 of her most popular and delicious recipes aimed at empowering teens to take charge of their health through cooking. With an emphasis on healthy, fresh foods, Cook with Amber features beautiful full-color photographs and covers a range of meals from nourishing breakfasts to fun party ideas, as well as providing recipes for homemade facial scrubs to combat teenage acne. Recognized by former First Lady Michelle Obama and a member of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's Food Tube family, Amber offers candid advice and inspiration for young chefs to get the best out of their teen years by having fun in the kitchen.
Age
12-13
Length
208 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite recipe from the book and why did it stand out to you?
How do you think cooking together can help us as a family?
Which ingredients would you like to try that you've never had before, and why?
What are some ways we could make our meals healthier, based on what you learned from Amber?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, relate the recipes to meals your child enjoys and ask how they might enhance or modify those recipes.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about cooking and eating healthy, reinforcing that their opinions are valued.
Plan a cooking day where you and your child can try one of the recipes together, making it an exciting event to look forward to.
Use the conversation as an opportunity to discuss the importance of nutrition and how it helps us grow strong and healthy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Healthy Eating Habits
Explanation: Amber Kelley presents a variety of fun and fresh recipes that teach children the importance and benefits of eating wholesome, nutritious foods.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these lessons by making healthier food choices at home, school, or when dining out, leading to better long-term health outcomes.
Example Lesson: Cooking Skills
Explanation: The book provides step-by-step recipes that are easy to follow, helping children to learn basic cooking techniques and kitchen safety.
Real-World Application: By practicing these skills, children can become more self-sufficient and confident in preparing their own meals, fostering independence.
Example Lesson: Creativity in the Kitchen
Explanation: Amber encourages children to experiment with ingredients and flavors, demonstrating that cooking is a creative and enjoyable activity.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to express their creativity and make unique dishes, which can enhance their problem-solving skills and imagination.
Example Lesson: The Value of Sharing
Explanation: Throughout the book, the theme of sharing meals with family and friends is emphasized, highlighting the social aspect of cooking and eating together.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of community and connection, which can be applied in everyday life by cooking and sharing meals with others, enhancing their social skills and empathy.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: By involving children in meal planning and preparation, the book teaches them about the responsibility of contributing to household tasks.
Real-World Application: This sense of responsibility can translate to other areas of a child’s life, encouraging them to take initiative and be accountable in various tasks and activities.