Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Locricchio
The new cookbook "Teen Cuisine" encourages kids to test out their skills in the kitchen.
The new vegetarian cookbook Teen Cuisine is intended to appeal to young people. Chef Matthew Locricchio has concocted recipes such as the Banana Berry Blender Benders and Make A Scene Pasta, which could seem more silly than culinarily worthwhile.
But looking beyond the goofy names, the recipes are very straightforward and healthy. He hopes this encourages families to make cooking an intergenerational activity.
“There really is nothing more important than providing good nutrition,” says Locricchio, “whether it’s coming out of your hands in the kitchen or you’re exciting your kids enough for them to actually get in and start to cook.”
To streamline the cooking process, he suggests planning a weekly menu with the whole family. In his experience, if kids are part of the cooking process process — from shopping to preparation — they are more likely to try something unfamiliar.
“I’m always amazed at how willing they are to try things,” he says.
