Kid Food: Rachael Ray's Top 30 30-Minute Meals

How many Rachael Ray cookbooks do you own? That's an important question when considering this book because you may already have some of these recipes in other cookbooks (such as Rachael Ray: 365) by this delightfully speedy provider of zesty dishes. Here's another question: How much "fixing up" will your kids tolerate? My four were always on the conservative side. Here's an example. Our oldest would go into a restaurant and order a grilled cheese sandwich as follows (and this was before he ever saw Jack Nicholson's famous scene in Five Easy Pieces): "Here's how to prepare my grilled cheese sandwich. Put American cheese slices on plain white bread. Do not toast or grill the bread. Do not add tomatoes, ham, or anything else. Put a small container of mayonnaise on the side, but not touching the bread." Almost all of these dishes are too adventuresome for what our kids would have tolerated with a few exceptions: cheesy popcorn, chicken cutlets, chicken and stars soup, chicken and dumplings, stuffed potatoes, and fettuccini all'Alfredo. So if your kids groove on Kraft macaroni and cheese and see vegetables as evil, they may not be ready for these dishes, However, if you enjoy kid favorites . . . and would like a more adult version, you'll be pleased very much by this book and its recipes. The ingredients are well chosen, and the herb and spice selections are inspired. Consider the quesadilla recipe. Most people put in some American cheese, diced chicken, and perhaps some cut up tomato bits. Ms. Ray adds a little finely chopped onion, a palmful of chopped cilantro leaves, a Serrano pepper, coarse salt, a half pound of chorizo (smoked sausage from Spain or Mexico), a touch of barbecue sauce and a blend of Mexican cheeses. As you can see, that's a novel and interesting dish. Not all the dishes are upgraded as much, but there's always at least a little element of sophistication added in time-efficient ways. Be aware that this book has only 30 recipes in it (along with some side dishes). But it's quite compact. You could easily fit it into a purse or pocket to take along to cook at an event where you've been asked to prepare food away from home . . . or when you are on your summer vacation if you prepare meals sometimes. One of the beauties of this little gem can be found in the close-up photographs of the dishes. With these visual images to stimulate you, the food presentation will undoubtedly be improved. It just made my mouth water to look at these luscious images. Dig in!

I bought this for one of my daughters. She has a five year old that loves to help mommy in the kitchen. Im sure the fun recipes in this book will create some great momments in the kitchen for them. I'm hoping for a dish of "smashed potatoes" next time I'm over!

My wife is going to be very busy cooking for me and the kids.

At first glance, I laughed. All of the recipes list several ingredients, and many have a bunch of things that I didn't think my 3-year old would really be interested in...but I was SO wrong! First, and most importantly -- the food is awesome! Second, it really does take 30 minutes or less for her meal plans. (I timed it!) And third, my 3-year old has eaten everything (even though some of them I leave out certain things) that I have made from the book. It's a MUST have for your collection of books that you will use regularly.

I got this book a week ago and tried two of the recipes (tomato/basil soup and the 4 cheese grilled sandwich) they were great! So far the book has lived up to it's name. My daughter is 15 months and LOVED the soup and sandwich. This was the first soup that she would eat without spitting some of it out. She kept wanting more and ate 1/2 a sandwich as well. I can't wait to try the other recipes.