Reading List for Parents' Cookery Groups

Got books? Share them! One of the best ways to get kitchen inspiration is by sharing and discussing favourite resources. You’ll find many are common to the group but some books are new to others. If you’re looking for new ideas here’s a suggested reading list for parents’ cookery groups. But don’t just stick to it – add your own recommendations and create a list that your whole group can benefit from.

Book Swapping

Arrange a book-swap with your Cookery Group. It’s much better than lending informally, because you can keep a record of where everyone’s books are. Keep the books for just a week or a fortnight. If you plan to borrow several, it might be worth buying a blank notebook so you can write out your favourites. Don’t forget to ask the book’s owner for their recipe recommendations.

Suggested Books – Cooking for Babies and Toddlers

• Annabel Karmel's Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner. This classic has been in print for more than 15 years. Annabel Karmel (“miracle woman” – Jools Oliver) is an expert nutritionist known for her imaginative and influential approach to cooking for children and babies. Her original Meal Planner is a brilliant resource for every new mum.
• Mange Tout. In this new book, former nanny Lucy Thomas offers excellent advice for parents whose children are fussy eaters. After nannying for 10 years Lucy realised there was a shortage of ideas and advice for that hot school-gate topic... getting the kids to eat their greens! As well as writing this well-received book, the author now runs workshops in London, where children sing songs about cauliflowers and go on great tomato hunts...
• Feeding Kids by Netmums. This new book has won praise from the Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph for its imaginative recipes and suggestions. It has an excellent opening section full of basic nutritional guidelines and tips for getting children to eat more adventurously. This is followed by a collection of 120 recipes, including classics like corned beef hash and quick macaroni cheese, as well as new ideas such as veggie burgers.

Suggested Books – Cooking For Older Children

• Tana Ramsay's Real Family Food. Gordon’s wife reveals what really gets eaten in their house: her four children, whose adventurous tastes run in the family, help with many of the recipes. You can get a taster of the dishes on the Good Food website. Tana focuses on simple, good food – vegetable soup, quick seedy bread, and traditional childhood treats like Lamingtons.
• Feast. Nigella Lawson’s first five books were written as her children were growing up, and they feature strongly in Domestic Goddess, Feast, and Express. Mixed amongst grown-up recipes you’ll find tips on adapting meals for children or, in the case of Feast and Domestic Goddess, entire sections on children’s baking and Christmas. You’ll want to start with her cut-out cookies and progress to Christmas morning muffins, pancakes, and creamy pasta.
• Rachel Allen’s Favourite Food at Home. The home-style book from the Irish TV chef Rachel Allen features plenty of good ideas for children. It covers cooking for and with children, introducing you to favourites like tomato fondue and quesadillas as well as a whole chapter on edible gifts. The desserts are show-stopping!