Cookbooks for a 13 Year Old Boy?

[AmeliaJane]

For his next birthday, I am planning to give my nephew a few cookbooks--he has gotten really interested in cooking in the last year or so. He really likes the Pioneer Woman cookbook because of all the photos, and the recipes are not too frou-frou. He eats pretty eclectically (sushi, Greek, Indian, etc) but doesn't really like fruits and vegetables much. I think he would prefer shorter cookbooks over the big encyclopedic ones like "How to Cook Everything" or "Joy of Cooking" because those can be a bit overwhelming. Technique-wise, he is still operating at a fairly basic level and I think would prefer things he can cook mostly on his own as opposed to more complicated recipes that would require a lot of adult assistance. He does like to bake as well as cook.

Would love any suggestions of cookbooks he might enjoy...oh yes, and he is at the teen boy stage where he eats his weight in food daily :)

[SteveinMN]

There's really nothing wrong with a good general cookbook at his age. I think either the "good old" Betty Crocker Cook Book or Better Homes and Gardens' equivalent would be fine choices. I'd almost shade more toward the BHG version as it has more and bigger pictures than I've seen in the BC book (though my most recent experience with both dates back several years now). I know they're bigger cookbooks, but it does not hurt to have a general reference and they're not as text-laden as Joy of Cooking or some of the Beard and Claiborne books.

For Indian cooking, Madhur Jaffrey has a great reputation for her cookbooks. Raghavan Iyer is another cook who started because he wanted to enjoy home cooking when he got to America. I've taken a few cooking classes with him and really enjoyed his conversational "you can do this, too" style.

And, as for Japanese, I've seen make-your-own sushi kits which come with the bamboo mat used to roll sushi, some small dishes for soy sauce, and a small cookbook. That might be a good choice to get him started.

What a wonderful gift!

[razz]

Company's Coming cookbooks seems to have cookbooks for different ages and the recipes are straight forward with basic ingredients.

[Tussiemussies]

You could also look into magazine subscriptions like the one called "Cook'sCountry" by America's Test Kitchen might be great for him, a little surprise every month. There are photos with easy to read directions. Some of the techniques he may have to ask a little bit about but it won't be too much and he will learn a little too. The only thing about this magazine is that it is all American cooking. No ethnic recipes... Just a thought! Christine

You can also join Cook's Illustrated to be a tester for recipes that they may feature in their magazine. They come in your email and you don't have to do them if you don't want to. When you are done you fill out a questionnare about what you thought about the food. He will need parental help with this but might like that he is testing for a magazine. I joined on their website and that would be where to look, if they are Looking for testers.

[bunnys]

History and cooking?!?!?! I love your nephew!

[herbgeek]

I find that cookbooks aimed at college students cooking in a dorm, are really good for beginner cooks in general. I've had and used and liked this one in particular:

http://www.amazon.com/On-Campus-Cookbook-Mollie-Fitzgerald/dp/0894807757/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345903740&sr=8-1&keywords=campus+cookbook

[JaneV2.0]

Take a look at Alton Brown's Good Eats series. He takes a scientific approach, but with humor. Also Guy Fieri Food--a real foodie character, with chops.

[fidgiegirl]

I know you didn't ask for apps, but Epicurious app for iPad is pretty amazing, especially if he likes pics. You can choose from several "criteria" like dinner, breakfast, lunch, kind of meat, kind of veggie, dietary needs, etc.

[Rosemary]

Mollie Katzen wrote a basic cookbook called "Get Cooking." It is not a vegetarian cookbook. It is filled with simple recipes that are ideal for a beginner.

[Amaranth]

The Barbecue Bible 2008 or later edition
http://www.amazon.com/Barbecue-Bible-Steven-Raichlen/dp/0761149430/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345998409&sr=1-1&keywords=barbecue+bible

The Splendid Table by Kasper for Italian Food
http://www.amazon.com/Splendid-Table-Emilia-Romagna-Heartland-Northern/dp/0688089631/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345998507&sr=1-2&keywords=splendid+table

Artisan Pizza and Flatbread in Five Minutes a Day
http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Pizza-Flatbread-Five-Minutes/dp/0312649940/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345998571&sr=1-3&keywords=5+minute+bread