Kids Can Cook: Vegetarian Recipes by Dorothy R. Bates
Children often become more interested in vegetables when they have a part in making dinner. Dorothy R. Bates’ Kids Can Cook: Vegetarian Recipes Kitchen-Tested by Kids for Kids is built around that simple idea. Its recipes grew out of children’s cooking classes, making this an approachable introduction for young people who want to prepare meat-free food rather than merely watch an adult do it.
What can young cooks make?
Listings for the book describe familiar foods such as pizza, enchiladas, breads, soups, salads and desserts. That is a sensible choice: children are more likely to be excited about a recipe when they already recognise the finished meal. The book marks easier projects for novice cooks and includes kitchen hints, giving beginners a starting point before they try more complicated preparation.
This is a cookbook intended for participation, not an instruction to hand a child a sharp knife or hot pan without supervision. The right tasks depend on age and experience. Washing vegetables, tearing lettuce, measuring ingredients and mixing cool fillings are all useful first steps; heat and blades call for close adult guidance.
What does the book offer parents?
The original description notes a section by registered dietitian Suzanne Havala on planning a nutritious vegetarian diet for children. That is a valuable inclusion, because a meat-free diet should provide enough energy and a range of nutrients as children grow. The book recognises that good meals matter as much as enthusiasm for cooking.
Adults may also appreciate recipes that everyone at the table can share, even when only one member of the family prefers vegetarian food. A dish that feels like a regular family dinner is often easier to make repeatedly than a separate, special meal.
What needs a modern update?
The book was published around 2000, so its nutrition section should be read alongside current guidance. Diets with little or no animal food require attention to reliable vitamin B12 sources, and overall variety helps provide iron, calcium and other nutrients. The NIH vitamin B12 fact sheet is a useful starting point, while a child’s clinician or dietitian can help with individual needs.
Basic food hygiene matters too. The FDA produce-safety guidance reminds cooks to wash hands and produce thoroughly. Teaching those habits is part of teaching children to cook well.
Can you still get it?
Yes. Retailers currently list used copies of the original paperback, sometimes alongside new-condition copies. The exact Amazon offer may change, but the archived product number matches the title and author.
Related on Veggie-Blog: Raising Vegetarian Children and The Teen’s Vegetarian Cookbook.
Book: Kids Can Cook: Vegetarian Recipes by Dorothy R. Bates
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