Tana Ramsay's Family Kitchen: Simple and Delicious Recipes for Every Family [Paperback]

I'll admit that I was a serious skeptic of this book. What the world doesn't need is another celeb chef, and I shuddered at the thought of their WAG's cookbooks suddenly blocking out the sunlight at Smiths. What I found in Tana Ramsay's book was a pleasant surprise. She's a real mom, that's evident. The recipies are things that kids will eat, and she knows that if you're going to try to push their tastebuds a bit, you're going to have to pick your battles. I don't have a pantry like the Ramsay's, so the alternatives mentioned in the recipies are helpful for me. Already cooked one for the family, who normally hate cabbage, but we've found a winner here and a new addition to the regular weekly rota. If I can get four or five more into the mix, it's a roaring success.

Tana, you've my begrudging respect. I know you have a nanny and help and all that, but if you still cook for four kids and deal with that husband of yours, you can punch with the best of them.

This book's charming and sincere opening and closing dedications are indicative that this is not just another 'trendy' cookbook from a celebrity wife, cashing in on a partner's talent or fame.

'For my mum and Dad.
I hope my children grow up with the same sense of love and comfort that you gave me.
Thank you.'

From a mother of four young children and with experience in the excellent 'Montessori' method of teaching, comes this new book for 'family cooking', illustrated throughout with family shots.
Largely speaking the recipes are aimed at children, but 'there are tips on how to adapt dishes to suit different ages and tastes and encourage children to experiment with food.........I've also tried to include tips on how to adapt some of the recipes to make them more adult. A splash of wine or a bit of extra seasoning is often all it takes.......'

Tana adorns the front cover of her book which opens to 261 high quality, matt pages, split over main chapters:-

1. Breakfast
2. Lunch Bites
3. Tea-Time Treats
4. Trying New Tastes
5. Cooking from the Cupboard
6. After-School Suppers
7. Cooking in Advance
8. Weekend Lunches
9. Puddings
10. Party Food

sandwiched between a 4-page introduction, handy information about 'vitamins and minerals', a guide to 'essential' and 'luxury' kitchen equipment and a concise index.

'The recipes are organised with most people's weekly routines in mind.'

An interesting introduction heads each chapter, and useful notes appear at the head of most of the recipes.

The book is interspersed with useful tips and variations, e.g.:-

* 'Teatime Treats:- I think it would be terribly unrealistic to say that children should never have snacks - I love them and certainly, as a child, it was one of the comforts I needed..........not all the recipes in this section are the healthiest option, but in moderation and given as a snack at the right time they certainly will not hurt. They give the right kind of energy pick-up and help to wean children of crisps and sticky sweets.'

A list of ingredients and a clear method accompanies every recipe, although there are not that many photos of the finished dishes, which may be slightly negative for some readers who like to see what they are aiming for on a plate!

Old favourites such as:-

* Poached Eggs on Wholemeal Toast
* Homemade Jammy Dodgers
* Classic Prawn Cocktail
* Orange Sponge Fingers with Lemon Icing
* Chilli Con Carne
* Ratatouille
* Fish Pie
* Osso Bucco
* Moussaka
* Steak & Guinness Pie
* Bolognaise
* Stew & Dumplings
* Trifle with Real Custard and Mandarins

mingle with the, perhaps, more unusual, e.g.:-

* Baked Pumpkin & Fish Pie Risotto
* Danish Pastry Pizzas
* Slow-Cooked Lamb with Apricots, Ginger & Cinnamon
* Steak Burgers with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
* New York Sandwich
* Pasta Twist Salad
* King Prawn & Monkfish Curry

along with:-

* Boy's Birthday Cake
* Girls' Birthday Cake

* Raspberry Meringue Bomb - 'This is the easiest pudding I know and yet everybody assumes it must be very complicated and time consuming.'

* Minestrone:- 'This is a recipe Gordon wrote out for me after cooking it one evening for the children. It was so delicious that I often make it for tea on a Saturday night, especially in winter when the kids have been out cycling and come in freezing cold - they can have it in a mug and warm their hands on it while spooning out the chunky bits.'

* Crispy Pancetta with Mushroom & Spring Onion:- 'This is just a tasty salad............My children love pancetta but were always a little hesitant about mushrooms - mixing them with the pancetta has encouraged them to like mushrooms and taken away the classic snap decision, 'I don't like it'.
Sometimes it takes using things in unusual ways to break a habit.'

* Coleslaw Crunch:- 'This is great served in a little 'Tupperware' tub to accompany a simple sandwich or muffin - and a good way to approach Brussel sprouts - Love them or hate them.'

And, last but not least.... the book winds up with the recipe for that highly useful recipe for rainy days:-

* 'Play Dough'!:- 'I know that this isn't edible - but I have learned from experience that being able to whip up a load of 'play dough' on a rainy afternoon can be a real life-saver!'

The book ends with another charming acknowledgement, this time to husband:-

'To Gordon, thank you for not interfering.'

I was totally stuck in a lunch and supper "downward spiral" for ideas, and I am totally inspired again. So it's a massive thank you to Tana Ramsay for putting together this book. My husband has been begging his Mum to write down all her recipes for years and make a book like this, so good on Tana Ramsay for actually doing it herself, and hopefully taking full advantage of having a famous husband to get it published and therefore available to all of us.

This is written "by a Mum for Mums", the food is tasty, doesn't take hours to prepare, and is good enough to eat with the children as a family. Although, when I proudly presented my first meal from the book (chicken with red lentils) my exhausted 3½ year old son put his head down and cried "I just want my normal supper" .... ermm that will be spaghetti bolognese again then! Needless to say it was absolutely delicious and he ate the lot with my daughter who is one of the fussiest little eaters on the planet. They have since continued to munch their way through most of the recipes I have tried out so far from the book - and they especially loved her pumkin risotto - you just put all the ingredients into your oven proof dish and put it in the oven for 20 minutes - no stirring required - how easy is that!?!

The snack ideas are great, as are the party ideas, but I personally like the make in advance and suitable for freezing recipes. She writes nicely and her tips and comments are useful, although be warned the style of book is very "Jamie Oliver"!

Tana Ramsay does however proove herself to be a complete and utter wonderwoman with her breakfasts ... I really do take my hat off to anyone who seriously has the time with school runs to create such wonders ... anyone else find themself supplying breakfast in the car on the way to school!?!

We are currently abroad on an international posting and I am still able to find most of her recipe ingredients, it just takes a bit more planning.

I would definitely recommend getting this book if you want to enjoy cooking for your family/children again.

Enjoy!