A Look At Paula Deen’s My First Cookbook

Deen,Paula. 2008. Paula Deen’s My First Cookbook. (With Martha Nesbit. Illustrations by Susan Mitchell.)

What better way to celebrate childhood than with pancakes around the kitchen table? Or how about a quick snack of Ants on a Log? Paula even shares her tricks for cooking up the perfect breakfast in bed for Mom on Mother’s Day or a fancy dinner for Dad on Father’s Day.   Paula Deen’s My First Cookbook is like a big hug from the queen of Southern hospitality and charm herself. So get in the kitchen with your favorite little ones today and start making those memories!

After the many safety warnings, she opens with several pages of glossary–and an illustrated one at that. In simple–but correct–terms, the basics are explained well. From baking to whisking, everything you’d need to know to make these recipes (and others as well.)

We then get explanations for how to measure, how to set the table, and how to behave with good manners.

Then comes the fun stuff. The recipes themselves. Arranged into sections for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks, desserts and much more. The recipes range from simple to complex. Some require more adult supervision than others. But many are kid-friendly.

Each recipe is presented with text and illustrations. Each is divided into these sections “what you’ll need” and “what you’ll do” sections. I thought the presentation was clear and concise.

If I were to have any reservations with this one, it is that a good many of the recipes aren’t particularly written with good, healthy habits in mind. The recipes look great. Really great. And I’m sure they taste really great too…but though probably less appealing for kids (and some adults) a few healthier options would have been great. (I’m not saying all the recipes are bad for you. And in moderation, most would be okay for most people. But the ones that jump out at me and say “try me, try me” are the ones that I don’t need to be making in the first place.)

If you would like more information about Paula Deen’s My First Cookbook then visit my cooking book reviews website were there are many recipes and cookbook reviews.