Recipe Review: Summer Fruit Ripple

Today I have my little helper in the kitchen with me (again) helping me with a recipe review! This is a two-parter review since I’m not just going to talk about the recipe, but the kids cookbook I got it from. I find that since Audrey is only 4, there aren’t too many ‘cookbooks’ out there that I could find that would really benefit her. Yes, this one in particular is based for more of an 8 year old (and older), but she just loves to cook, and why would I want to squash that?!

Actually to be honest, as crazy as this sounds, when she was just over a year, I would put on the Food Network or a cooking show, and she would be completely absorbed in it… as opposed to my oldest who was obsessed with Tangled.

I bought this cookbook, DK’s Children’s Cookbook Canadian Edition, for her on her 4th birthday and let me tell you she was SO excited! When I decided it was time to do a recipe review I thought this would be a great time to work with her, pick a recipe from this particular cook book, and have her help – let’s see if she can really follow and use this cook book right? Well It was a huge success and we decided to make one of the more simple recipes that was included before we take a stab at the more challenging recipes, so we went with dessert… and what doesn’t sound delicious about Summer Fruit Ripple?!

The highlights and pro’s of this cookbook:

1. Pictures! Plenty of pictures to look at, plus the pictures are listed under the ingredients which was great since Audrey can’t read yet, BUT  she can look at the pictures and let me know we needed blueberries, strawberries, oranges, etc… Plus the steps showed some pictures as well.
2. There was a “warning” legend at the beginning. Each sign and symbol meant something (ie. parents help required for stovetop, caution there are appliances involved, your will need to cut/chop fruit or vegetables, etc…). It was a great and quick indicator as to what to expect with the recipe.
3. The steps are easy… the authors explain each step very easily so you’re really not guessing what you’re supposed to do.
4. Ideas: the book makes you think about the recipe, and possibly any changes you could make to make it more to your liking… for example, to try this whole recipe with stone fruit… a total change would be great!

The cons? Well the only one that sticks out to me is that some of the recipes are pretty advanced, but ask me in two years if I still feel the same way since she will be older. As for now, we’re taking baby steps and being selective with our recipe suggestions. If you are looking at letting your little ones help in the kitchen, a few suggestions that have worked for us are:

1. The plastic lettuce knife. This thing is NOT sharp but it’s a good start to practise chopping lettuce for salads, and softer fruits like strawberries.
2. Plan one side dish that they can do with little to no help. Making a salad? I pre-cut the tough vegetables (cucumbers and peppers), and lay out everything for her to rip, wash, spin, and add to the salad bowl… the croutons? Already made and sitting in a bowl. Want to make your own salad dressing? Have everything pre-measured and let her add it all to mason jar… and shake, shake shake until it’s mixed!
3. Using appliances? I have everything pre-measured and then let her add to the bowl (while it’s unplugged). Then when we’re ready to get going, I plug it in, and have a ‘hands to your side’ rule.

This Summer Fruit Ripple was a delicious and light recipe that was perfect for after a summer dinner. I loved how many layers of flavours this dish has, and how easy it was to put together. Audrey had a blast making this, and really I loved that it wasn’t full of sugar and additives. The fruit really shined in this recipe, and eating it?! Easy Peasy. We served them in mason jars and small bowls, but you could easily make these into shooter style serving glasses, or make them with only 3 small layers in shallow glasses. This recipe makes ALOT but the kids made sure that there weren’t any pesky left overs. How thoughtful…

All in all I would say if you have a little one who has taken an interest in cooking, and you have the time to sit and cook/bake with them, this is the perfect starting cookbook. Audrey has a few favourites from there, but she will still be able to grown into it, and so it’s an investment for a longer term cooking commitment. Like I said, she has always taken an interest in me baking/cooking in the kitchen, so I felt like this was an appropriate gift for her, and we can take it from there!

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I really appreciate you stopping by time and time again and I love hearing the comments you have! If you know of any other children friendly cookbooks I would love to hear your recommendations! I’m always out on the look for new things for the girls to try out! I hope you have a wonderful day, and it’s the beginning of the week, which means lots of exciting things coming here! To catch a sneak peak of what’s coming, make sure you follow me on Instagram! I always like to share what I’m whipping up in the kitchen!

Cheers! xo