The Family Cooks: 100+ Recipes to Get Your Family Craving Food That's Simple, Tasty, and Incredibly Good for You

by Laurie David, Kirstin Uhrenholdt, Quentin Bacon

For families, eating right has become a monumental challenge. Cultural messages convince us that we no longer have time to cook, and food marketers spend billions persuading us that packaged, processed food is convenient, satisfying . . . and the key to happiness. Half of all our meals are now eaten outside the home. The result? Skyrocketing rates of heart disease and diabetes and unprecedented levels of childhood obesity. This crisis is movingly portrayed in author and activist Laurie David’s new documentary (coexecutive produced with Katie Couric), Fed Up!

Luckily, we have a solution: Studies have clearly shown that eating home-cooked meals reduces obesity and develops lifelong healthy eating habits. There is an exciting movement afoot that involves a skillet, a few good knives, and some fresh ingredients: Home cooking is making a comeback.

In The Family Cooks, David inspires parents and kids to take control of what they eat by making it themselves. With her longtime collaborator, Kirstin Uhrenholdt, David offers more than 100 recipes that are simple, fast, “low in the bad stuff and high in the good stuff,” and designed to bring kids into the cooking process. The authors also demystify cooking terms and break down basic prep techniques, creating stress-free meals that foster health, togetherness, and happy palates. The Family Cooks is the ideal companion for unseasoned chefs of all stripes, whether they’re parenting or being parented.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 22, 2014

About the author

For over a decade Laurie David has brought her passion and advocacy to a variety of important issues from global warming to America’s overconsumption of sugar to regenerative agriculture and the dangers of social media.

Laurie executive produced the Academy award-winning An Inconvenient Truth and other socially relevant docs including Fed Up, The Biggest Little Farm and most recently, The Social Dilemma.

Laurie has also written several cookbooks including The Family Cooks and The Family Dinner: Great Ways to Connect with Your Kids One Meal at a Time. Both books focus on healthy family dinners and importance of enjoying home-cooked meals together. She also coauthored the children’s book The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming, which has been published in over ten languages.

Laurie has received numerous awards and honors, including the Producers Guild of America’s Stanley Kramer Award, a Humanitas Prize Special Award and a Gracie Allen Award. Laurie’s environmental work has been honored with the prestigious Audubon Society’s Rachel Carson Award, the Feminist Majority’s Eleanor Roosevelt Award, Bette Midler’s Green Goddess Award and the NRDC Forces for Nature award.

She lives in Massachusetts on a regenerative farm with her husband, a few cows, a flock of sheep and a dozen chickens. She grows lots of food including a lot of sweet potatoes. She expresses her daily frustrations on twitter. You can follow her @Laurie_David



On Twitter @Laurie_David

Reviews

[Pamela Van Arsdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reinforcement of the adage that "you are what you eat." Like Moss' " Salt, Sugar, Fat" this book reminds us that the big food companies and their chemists and advertisers all have a huge impact on what we choose to buy and consume. I like the simple, basic approach here. I'm not sure I can convert my family but I'm going to give it a try!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

For folks who cook regularly and need a jolt of inspiration, and for folks who want make cooking a part of their routine, Laurie David's new cookbook is just the thing. Not quite as chatty as The Family Dinner, it is laid out as a more traditional 'one page, one recipe' cookbook. This is not a general reference or how to cook everything, but a point of departure, filled with useful information and great ideas.

[Bonnie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made the salmon Curry and the nut butter recipes. Recipes are easy to follow and the pictures make it an an enjoyable book to flip through.

[Mari McR · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tried a few recipes from Ms. David's book. Not impressed with the resulting smoothie flavors.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this out from the library mostly because I wanted some healthy recipes that I could con my kids into eating. Here's the rub, I have two picky eaters, but both go different ways. I have one who has always been borderline vegetarian, she consumes very little meat, but likes seafood. The other hates seafood, raw tomatoes (but will eat them cooked, weirdo) and anything that "looks too healthy." No, I'm not quite sure what that means, that's just what I'm told. They're teenagers by the way. Luckily, both are usually willing to try anything once, they may not finish it, but at least they know if they like it or not.

The teenage boy (or man child) is big into sports, weight lifting, running, challenge courses and so forth. He tries to pack a lot of protein into his diet, but he's getting bored with things.

Teenage girl, not really a problem eater, she usually eats whatever I make, but she's kind of bored with things too. She's into some sports, loves swimming, but she's not after any nutritional goals like her brother is.

My needs for both are to make sure whatever they're eating is healthy, that they are both getting what they need from their food, and to not have boring or "weird looking" food options.

This book was fantastic for our needs. Both know how to cook, both have taken this and made things on their own from it, and both have liked them. I've tried several of the things they've made and, though I'll never admit it to them, they've probably made it better than I would have. All of us have tweaked some things, more herbs and spices here, swap out for something else there, but all have been good and the kids have insisted I buy this book and that we try anything else like it.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a lot of cookbooks, share recipes regularly, and spend a lot of time planning and prepping meals. Nothing annoys me more than a cookbook that places things out of sequence (not the case here) or has photos that totally contradict the very instructions posted on the previous page (compare the text on p. 182 for ravioli cupcakes to the photo opposite on p. 183). I must also confess to being perplexed by a cookbook author who is not the author of the recipes in the book (that credit goes to her pal, Kristin Uhrenholdt). Those points aside, in addition to the patently obvious dos/don'ts for happy family meals, parenting and/or shopping advice (e.g., don't let your kids load the grocery cart with crap, make a grocery list, don't shop hungry, etc. etc.), there are a very good many recipes here that I want to give a try. Among the items we'll be making from this book are the fruity summer porridge, homemade nut butter, blueberry oat pancakes, peanut butter granola bars, homemade jam, Danish stone age bread, the green genie smoothie, SLTs (i.e., shitake, lettuce and tomato sandwiches), cannellini bean tartine, peppermint green pea soup (esp. the cold version for summer dining), caesar kale salad with homemade croutons, and quinoa cakes. All told, I'd go 2 1/2 to 3 stars on this.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am living in this cookbook these days. I wanted something simple, healthy but fun and inspiring and this book totally nails it. The recipes are very simple but also have a sense of whimsy that makes it fun to play with them. As someone who is pretty constitutionally incapable of sticking to a recipe I also love that almost every recipe has bulleted lists at the bottom of modifications to try. It makes it seem much more experimental and fun. Plus there are tons of beautiful color photographs. I hate cookbooks without pictures. I pick recipes by flipping and eye-grazing so that part is a must. Most recently (last night) I was working on a fall farro recipe that was given to them by a chef friend. The recipe is rife with mistakes (Farro takes way more than 10 minutes to cook and needs way less than 1T salt to name a few...) but even with all the problems, I was still able to coax it into the yumminess that it pointed towards. I know I should probably deduct a star for that, but this is the perfect cookbook for me so from a totally subjective standpoint it is getting all 5 stars.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book, full of artful photos and printed on paper that feels good to touch. I like to eat this way and when I put this on hold at the library I was already anticipating buying it. However, that won't be the case. While all the recipes sounded good (with the exception of the dishes that contain tofu, which is just something I've never warmed up to, and the now-requisite raw kale recipes - for the love of butter, what's wrong with sauteing a vegetable??? If it needs to be massaged to eat it it needs to be cooked! Or, better yet, why eat kale when you could instead eat chard?? But I digress.) nothing really stood out to me as something I would want to make, or something that I don't already have a recipe for that I like just fine.

This would be a wonderful book for someone just starting out cooking, because it does a good job of explaining the basics with a few twists. If you aren't a newbie cook I think there are better choices out there.

[Marathon County Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cookbook is a wonderful resource for anyone looking for healthy recipes to try, whether for kids, a significant other, or just for yourself. An introduction includes compelling information for anyone interested in the hidden and un-healthy additions to the food much of America is eating. What follows is a beautifully made cookbook with tasty recipes, kid-friendly tips, and healthy ideas that you can trust are good for you.

Sarah M. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

[Julie]

The tone of this book is so overly preachy and self-righteous, it's almost unreadable. I have been a vegetarian for over 20 years and consider myself to be health-conscious. I am always looking for ways to eat more healthfully, however. But this is way over the top. You can actually imagine the author looking down her nose at you and sniffing as she sees the AP flour and "processed" ingredients in your pantry. Look, there is a way to promote and encourage healthy eating without sounding snobbish, elitist and self-righteous. Unfortunately, Mrs. David did not accomplish that. A shame, since so many of the recipes looked delicious. This went back the library post-haste.

[Phaedra · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I really enjoyed The Family Dinner by Laurie David (and was hoping for something similar in this book), this book felt overly preachy, had very little to offer in recipes I would use (that I couldn't get in another more well-rounded cookbook), and was missing some of the very things I loved most about the first one- the practical tidbits offered of how to get dinner on the table! No conversation starters, no prep sheets..
bleh. Disappointing. If you hadn't read this information somewhere else (and really, it's EVERYWHERE) this would be great, but otherwise.. meh. Next.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cookbook is a fantastic resource for anyone looking for healthy recipes to try, whether for kids, a significant other, or just for yourself. An introduction includes compelling information for anyone interested in the hidden and un-healthy additions to the food much of America is eating. What follows is a beautifully made cookbook with tasty recipes, kid-friendly tips, and healthy ideas that you can trust are good for you.

[Jenny K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this book has lots of fresh recipes that are quick to cook. The authors add nice suggestions of ways to get kids involved in the cooking of the dishes. They also add several suggestions for each recipe on ways to personalize the dish, add or subtract ingredients based on your tastes. I disagree that soy is a healthful ingredient though, and there is quite a bit of tofu used in the recipes. However, most could be easily changed out for your protein of choice.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great info from the film Fed Up, plus some great basic recipes. Not so sure how the kids would like these, but I would definitely make them for weeknight dinners for Joe and me. Some good "staple" recipes, too, to wean you off processed versions. I like the chatty, friendly tone; it reminds me of Mollie Katzen.

[Ariste Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing cookbook full of excellent, healthy and creative recipes that I will use over and over again. I love the "ready, set, go" introduction and the "play with it" variations that accompany the delicious recipes. This is truly a handbook for all moms who are looking for fresh, healthy and delicious "go-to" recipes.

[Nat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this from the library yesterday. Lovely presentation, but I made the mistake - unintentionally - of skimming a bit of the intro text that precedes the recipes. It was as judgey as I'd suspected. Eating well is its own reward; I don't feel it's something people should feel coerced or shamed into doing. Anyway, I'm still hoping for a couple of recipes or ideas. Let's see!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very inspiring. Reminding me that homemade is best and get rid of all the pre-made junk. Inspiring me to get the kids more involved in the kitchen. Recipes look amazing and the ones I've made so far I love. Yummy banana muffins and fantastic carrot miso salad dressing. A great read for anyone wanting to raise good eaters. So much more than a cookbook. A keeper book for sure!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't recall a time when I've read a cookbook from cover to cover, which is why it's getting 4 stars from me. Checked this one out from the library hoping to find some simply good-for-you recipes. Going shopping this weekend to try some things and will come back to update review to let you know how it went as well as the rating, if it needs to be changed.

[Brittany Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent. I rented it from the library and decided less than half way through that it was something I needed to purchase. Great looking recipes and lots of information to use for reference over and over again. Buying tomorrow!!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this book - just pulled it off the library shelf yesterday and have loved reading through the recipes. It's the kind of book that makes you feel like several of these dishes are going to become regular staples. I can't wait to start cooking!!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating, at this moment, is based on how easy and fun it was to read through all the recipes. Will update once I have tasted some of the recipes contained within the book :)

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lovely photos and info - recipes are too "out there" for this family.

[lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Some smug advice. some lame-ish recipes, a lot of filler that you could find on any decent website. NOT a cookbook I will be using on a regular basis.

[Milinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the recipes are doable. I think the family will like them. The first few chapters are the best part of the book.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

LOVED the recipes, and all I tried came out, but the tone was a dealbreaker for me. So preachy. :/ I wish she had let the recipes speak for themselves.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the recipes. I have made the granola, ravioli lasagne, quinoa salad, tofu broccoli, and the peasant soup. All have been excellent. It is a good read even if it is someones life soap box.

[Marianthi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yuck

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found some recipes that I will probably use and it was practical, but a bit on the preachy side. I don't except a cookbook to tell me how to parent. With that said, I will use it in my kitchen.

[Keishua · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy, affordable and adaptable recipes.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cookbook I want to buy.