The Multicultural Cookbook for Students

My girl scouts and I have used this cookbook many times for World Thinking Day recipes. The variety of recipes and countries represented is great - you will find recipes for countries not in your average international cookbook. The recipes range from fast and easy to more time consuming and complicated. However, that makes this cookbook suitable for all age groups. I have also used this cookbook in the classroom with 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders.

I have to applaud this book. It blends its United Nations like ambassadorship with a practical knowledge of cooking. There are so few great cookbooks for young people and this, 1993 edition of this book, is one of them. As far as the authenticity of the recipes, as a Bulgarian-American, I can offer my opinion on the selections for Bulgaria. There are three accurate and appropriate yogurt based recipes: tarator, lassi and homemade yogurt itself. Certainly signature dishes from the country. (Not to mention seeing yogurt made for the first time is pretty neat when you're a kid and are used to seeing it only in little cups from the supermarket!)The practical knowledge presented for cooking surprised me. Usually cookbooks for children are 'dumbed down' but this one gives them real instruction while speaking to them in appropriate language. Much better in fact than handouts for Home Ec. class they'll get in middle school or junior high.Now a warning. There is a 2001 version of this book under the same title and template but with completely different recipes. Personally, I find this 1993 version friendlier and more appropriate. You might feel different, but suffice it to say, there are two completely different books out there under the same title and press.

Carole Lisa Albyn, a branch librarian and former children's librarian, dedicates this book to the child, who, in a very small voice, so small that she had to lean over to hear, asked for a recipe from "Yemen, South Yemen." She says, "This is my way of apology for sending you off without anything because all I had to offer was a coffee recipe from South Yemen." At our library, this has become one of the most useful references for students who need concise information on a particular country. Each section is organized by geographical, agricultural and even some religious information. "Somalis are Sunni Muslim. This is important to note because no form of alcohol is allowed. Instead, Somalis drink tea or milk." There's a section on common sense, safety and cleanliness, reminding children that the book is designed to teach them about the countries, not as an introduction to cooking methods in general. In almost every case, there are at least two recipes for each country listed. Some countries have more, some have fewer. There's a glossary of terms to explain unfamiliar words. The book ends with a comprehensive index, listing recipe names major ingredients, and other terms. As a librarian, it is wonderful to be able to refer students to such a thorough resource. It is the dedication and drive of people like Carole Lisa Albyn that make wonderful references such as the Multicultural Cookbook for Students.

This book is an excellant cookbook with recipies from many countries. I have checked it out at least 10 times from our local library and I plan on buying my own copy since I keep checking it out. I cook at least one of these recipies each month as the class studies a particular country.