If you’re stuck in a mealtime rut or constantly negotiating over vegetables, How to Make Food Your Kids Will Actually Eat could be the family cookbook you’ve been waiting for.
Created by social media favourite Anouska Emily Mauree, better known as @EmilysCooking_, this colourful cookbook is packed with more than 100 recipes, food hacks and creative ideas that make everyday meals exciting without requiring hours in the kitchen. As a mum of two with a childcare background, Emily clearly understands what appeals to children while keeping preparation realistic for busy parents.
The recipes are divided into easy-to-navigate sections including breakfasts, lunchbox fillers, dinners, snacks, sweet treats and seasonal celebrations. There is plenty of variety, from practical recipes such as Don’t Worry Chicken Curry and Hasselback Salmon & Veg Traybake to playful creations including Watermelon Pizza, Little Chick Eggs and the brilliantly named Halloween Puking Pumpkin. Many of the ideas would also be perfect for birthday parties or getting children involved in cooking during the school holidays.
What really makes this book stand out is its focus on making food fun rather than disguising healthy ingredients. The recipes are colourful, approachable and designed to encourage even fussy eaters to try something new. Most use everyday supermarket ingredients, and the step-by-step instructions are straightforward enough for older children to help prepare alongside an adult.
The photography is bright and inviting, with plenty of visual inspiration that will have children eager to choose what to make next. Whether you’re looking for creative lunchbox ideas, quick after-school snacks or ways to encourage little ones to eat more fruit and vegetables, there’s no shortage of inspiration.
This is far more than another family cookbook. It’s a practical toolkit for making mealtimes less stressful and more enjoyable, while encouraging children to develop a positive relationship with food. Full of imaginative yet achievable recipes, it’s a book parents will return to throughout the year. RRP: £22 | Publisher: Ebury Press
