Get Cooking

by Sam Stern

After his first two cookbooks, Sam Stern wanted a new challenge. And since there's nobody harder to please than your mates, he asked seven of his friends to choose their favourite ingredients so he could make dishes using the food they liked most. The result? One cracking cookbook with eight sections (including one food chosen from Sam himself), full of great tasting meals and snacks to impress anyone. Whether it's chocolate or cheese, tomatoes or pasta, there's something here to suit all.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Sam Stern was raised in Yorkshire, England, with three fantastic sisters and one brilliant brother -- until they went to college and he was left to his own devices. It is not unusual that a high school student loves to eat but his ability to cook and write sets him apart. He describes one of his first memories cooking with his mother, Susan, making her famous treacle bread and opening the oven to see it and says "the smell was great!" This appreciation for cooking led him (when he was a bit older) to write COOKING UP A STORM with his mother. He wanted to write a book "for kids like me who enjoy cooking or who want to learn to cook. It's full of simple tasty recipes -- the kinds of things that my friends and I like to eat." Their second book, REAL FOOD, REAL FAST is an effort to lure all those time-pressured teens away from their fast-food fixes.

Writing and cooking share some of the same creative skills. Sam says "when I write I just like to chill. Sometimes it's so easy and the words just come flooding out. Other times I get frustrated. I like to write to music because it helps everything to flow. I like to be creative with my writing but with the cookbook, it had to be really short and sweet. It was really hard to cut it down sometimes." Regarding cooking he notes "well, I'm usually pretty impatient, but I can spend hours chopping stuff, blending, whisking, and mixing. I find all that activity really relaxing. The first thing I do when I get into the kitchen is put on some music."

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having bought and really rated the previous 2 Sam Stern books, I made sure that the new one, Get Cooking, was delivered hot off the press as soon as it was available. I'm so pleased that I did - it does not disappoint. Sam has clearly grown up, and that's reflected in the book. Although it follows the same user-friendly layout and chatty tone, he has included some slightly more sophisticated recipes (along with lots of very useful basics). It's a book that should appeal to teen boys and girls alike who will relate to Sam and the group of friends who are photographed and quoted throughout. It's clear, concise and never patronising (and no long lists of ingredients either).

The book is divided up according to ingredient, from cheese to veg, via pasta, meat and potatoes and others. The cheese, chill and onion muffins and tangy tomato burgers have already gone down a treat in our house.

Whether you want to cook some great recipes yourself or would like to get your teens off the sofa and into the kitchen, this is the book for you.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pictures of recipes? Yes.
Commentary on recipes? Yes.
Nutrition facts? No.
Recipe Style? Modern British, but with US measurements, thankfully.
Any keepers? A couple.

Recipes organized by ingredients. Not a huge fan of the layout, but some solid choices inside.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creative recipes that are easy to make.

[Deborah Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Known as the youngest cook in the UK, Sam Stern brings teens different recipes, from all over the world, that are not only elegant,but tasty and easy to make with little preparation. Stern provides aspiring cooks with a variety of recipes ranging from home made cheeses, soups, appetizers, main courses, desserts, drinks, and other snacks using common ingredients such as meat, potatoes, vegetables, and pasta. Moreover, he includes a section just for vegetarians and those with gluten allergies.

This particular cookbook is incredibly inspiring. Teens love to eat and to actually see a teen write a book about the food he loves is perfect. Along with the organization, the photos are the best part because everyone who is cooking can see professional products they can make on their own. Moreover, in comparison to traditional cookbooks, this title is more lax and tailored to those who are inexperienced. However, teens who love to experiment have plenty of opportunities to add to Sam's recipes since they are flexible enough. Another great aspect of this cookbook is the variety of the recipes, which will help teens expand their palates and try something different, but delicious. This work is very personal to Stern, which makes it that much more enjoyable. This cookbook is a must for teens who just want to eat tasty, healthy food.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recipes here are not uncomplicated. Some of them use unfamiliar or hard-to-find ingredients (korma paste, ground lamb). But we had enormous success with Top Sausage Yorkshires (individual Toad-in-the-Hole) and if this book teaches Milo how to make Shepherd's Pie I will be forever in its debt.

Extra points for showing Sam and his friends actually engaged in the processes of food creation and consumption.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This kid is kind of a teenage Jamie Oliver (who I love). A cookbook for Teens. I have made two of the recipes so far and they are delicious. I think the food is a little high end for most Teens though. The chocolate souffle came out great.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome cookbook. Yummy recipes, all with a photo. Lots of veggie options.