California Squisine: Healthy Food That's Fast and Fun for Kids

Reviewed by Susan Pettrone for Reader Views (1/07) According to the author, Malcom Kushner, "squisine is a combination of the words squeeze and cuisine." Basically put, anytime you take a squeezable foodstuff such as ketchup, relish, or anything else that "squishes" and add it to what you are eating, you are creating "squisine." The easy-to-use part of squeezable food is not the main importance of "squisine" however, it is the fun part of squeezing the food to add it to a dish that makes it truly squisine and the fun is what makes it worthwhile and entertaining for kids. Throughout this book the author takes us through the art of squisine, telling us simple ways to add variety and fun to dishes by using this easy-to-apply technique. Because his instructions and ingredients are so easy to use and simply found, the child in your life can happily apply this technique to even the most boring of foods, making them squisine works of edible art! One of my favorite ideas presented in this book is to squeeze messages for someone using a squeezable medium. I have used this on many occasions myself, serving an open-faced sandwich with the message "I Love You" in mustard on top of bologna or cheese. The look on the face of the person receiving not only lunch but a message of caring, is priceless and well worth the extra few seconds it takes to turn an ordinary sandwich into a message of caring. But, ideas on how to use squeezable food aren't all this book is made up of. It also is packed with recipes including BBQ sauce, honey mustard dip, parmesan yogurt dip, maple chocolate syrup and even strawberry cream cheese spread...all of which work extremely well as squisine for the young chef in your life! I would highly recommend "California Squisine" for any and all individuals that have a special child in their lives that likes to help in the kitchen. Not only are the recipes found within kid-friendly; they are tasty and fun to prepare as well. In fact, I found many of the recipes perfect for all ages within the pages of this book and ones that I foresee using time and time again even when my children don't help me with their preparation. It is an interesting book, not your typical recipe book for kids, having within its pages recipes, quotes and simple entertainment for kids of all ages. It would be a perfect gift for anyone who works with children as well. Many of the recipes could easily be used in a classroom setting making this a book that would be welcome by teachers as well. Simply said, this book is a great book for m any ages and many types of people. Check it out your self and I'm sure you will agree that it is a book that not only useful but fun as well!

"America's Favorite Humor Consultant" Malcolm Kushner presents California Squisine, a unique cookbook consisting entirely of recipes that are healthy, easy-to-make, and squeezable - perfect for introducing kids to the joy of making tasty treats. Best of all, no actual "cooking" is required! Though not specifically a weight-loss cookbook, California Squisine is pediatrician-approved and provides emphasis on salads, vegetables, and other healthy foods make it ideal for building positive attitudes toward good nutrition. Recipes range from Tuna Pate to Peanut Butter Pizza with Everything, Vegetable Kebabs, Pineapple Pudding, and much more. Enthusiastically recommended for harried adults with little time to invest in cooking as well as for kids.

Of all the cookbooks for kids I've read to date, this one is by far the best. It covers all the bases -- it's Easy, Fun & Healthful -- and as a bonus, the running commentary by author Kushner couldn't be more entertaining. Let's take those bases one by one.The recipes really are easy for kids to follow. They are divided into two parts, "What You Need," and "What You Do." Unlike some kids' cookbooks that purport to have simple recipes but require you to use ingredients one finds only in gourmet stores or overseas markets,the recipes found in "California Squisine" are comprised of items everyone typically has already in the fridge or kitchen cupboard. There are only a few steps that go into the preparation of each item, and they are clear and concise. As far as fun is concerned, children will love the concept of "Squisine." I was a teacher for 12 years and currently work with pre-school children and know how much children enjoy tactile activities. And the foods really are healthful! They are packed with anti-oxidants, are low in sugar and are just good for kids (and adults) to eat -- without being boring. I not only highly recommend this book for children, but also for special needs people of all ages. My adult daughter is autistic and loves to cook. However, she becomes frustrated with complicated recipes -- and I am not comfortable with her using the stove. She loves these recipes and it gives her a great deal of satisfaction to be able to prepare the different foods in "California Squisine" with confidence on her own.(And of course she loves "Squisining.") Kushner has done more than write a cookbook -- he's created a concept and should be heartily congratulated for it.

Ask any child, "What are the four basic food types." You may be surprised when they respond, "Fast, frozen, instant, and take out." Informational and entertaining, Malcolm Kushner addresses a timely and important issue faced by American's today, that of childhood obesity. The book includes over 100 recipes that have met the criteria set forth by the author and his team of consultants. The recipes had to be squeezable, be approved by their medical advisor, had to be made without cooking, and had to be approved by the taste tester. The book is divided into six basic groups of recipes: Dressings, dips and spreads, sauces and syrups, snacks, sandwiches and other stuff, desserts, holiday squizine, and ethnic squizine. A blender is the only appliance needed to prepare these, cleverly illustrated, mouthwatering recipes. The easy to follow instructions also provide suggestions for getting children involved in the preparation of the meal. This involvement adds a touch of family time fun to meals and the ownership the child feels insures less stress at the dinner table. In addition to the valuable background information and recipes I especially appreciated the humorous quips in the "food for thought" sections, generously spaced throughout the book. Malcolm Kushner has given the reader a sample of his wit and lived up to his reputation of "America's Favorite Humor Consultant." This delightful book should be in the hands of every mother of pre-school through pre-teen children. It should be displayed and available in book stores and in the waiting rooms of pediatricians across America.