The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook for Kids, Reviewed

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 I am all for getting kids involved in the kitchen. In fact, any form of coercion or trickery that works in that regard is okay by me. Ulysses Press and author Alana Al-Hatlani have done just that with The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook for Kids: 50 Magically Simple, Spellbinding Recipes for Young Witches and Wizards. 

If kids aren’t sucked in by the plethora of beautiful, mouthwatering color photos, they will be by the cleverly named recipes such as Witch Hat Quesadillas, Burgers with Wizard Wizz-Bang Sauce, Cockroach Clusters, and Chocolate Frogs. As someone who is painfully unacquainted with Harry Potter, I have to say that this book drew me right in.

The recipes are clear and concise, and divided into simple steps that children can easily follow. Each recipe is accompanied by a brief introduction explaining the recipe, its name, and offering various suggestions or substitutions.

 Cauldron Cakes, children are told, “a rich chocolate cake with a molten melty center” are sold on the train trolley.

While the recipes are geared toward young cooks, they are sophisticated enough to please the entire family. The book is divided into six sections: breakfast, snacks and small treats, lunch, dinner, dessert, and drinks. There is a nice introduction, as well as an explanation of recipe terms that will be invaluable to the burgeoning young cook. The conversion table should aid both young and old.

 Many of the recipes in this book are traditionally British such as Bath Buns, Crumpets, Shepherd’s Pie, and Treacle Tart. This provides a nice introduction to another country’s cuisine, something I find so important in educating young people. In the making, they may also teach their parents a thing or two, and what and what kid doesn’t love that?

Recommended for the young and young at heart!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.