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Starting From Scratch

What You Should Know About Food and Cooking
ksoles
Jun 16, 2014ksoles rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Previously known for her adult non-fiction titles, "Locavore" (2010) and "Consumed" (2013), CBC Radio food columnist Sarah Elton has entered uncharted territory with "Starting from Scratch." She aims her new book at kids though newbie chefs of any age would appreciate this engaging and informative introduction to food and cooking. Elton covers a wide range of topics here: the history of various international culinary traditions, the science of cooking, instructions on following a recipe, tips for organizing and stocking your kitchen and, of course, advice on beginning to cook. While the book’s early chapters deal mostly with food culture, Elton immediately works interactive elements into the pages.The “no-smell challenge,” for example, asks readers to taste the difference between an apple and an onion with their noses plugged by clothespins. Further along in the book, Elton offers simple recipes including pasta sauce, granola, and oatmeal cookies. Brief sections on food security and labels (organic, free-range etc) give older readers pause for thought. Finally, appendices include more recipes and a guide to pairing flavours as well as several handy measurement-conversion charts. "Starting from Scratch" shines because of its friendly, accessible approach to teaching kids about the importance of healthy eating and food preparation. Although packed with information, the text never seems dense or overwhelming thanks to its presentation in easily digestible blocks of print and colourful sidebars. Jeff Kulak’s fun, bright illustrations add a whimsical touch and inspire readers to take pride in their own cooking adventures.