A few days ago I introduced you to a wonderful book called Cooking Around the Calendar with Kids today we have the second book from Amy Houts called Cooking Around the Country with Kids: USA Regional Recipes and Fun Activities

This second book is just as wonderful as the Cooking around the Calendar, yet it is very unique and different. This book  introduces food through the traditions of different cultures that celebrate America’s diversity. Immigrants who settled this great country brought with them their memories and tastes of foods from the vast regions of the world. Their food preferences reflected their traditions, history, religion, celebrations, and family.

The book has recipes that are easy to follow, for either children or for “non-cooking” adults; Cooking Around the Country with Kids: USA Regional Recipes and Fun Activities is full of interesting history spiced with a bit of science and a lot of regional appeal. Children from all over the U. S. will enjoy reading it, learning from it, and–of course–using it to make delicious, kid-friendly recipes.

How about “Shaker Cooking“? What???  you don’t know what “Shaker Cooking” is?? Did you not pay attention in history class ?? Well, then let me explain to you, this is how this book works;

Shaker Cooking – The Shakers, another group who came to America for religious freedom, settled in New York in 1774. They were called “Shakers” because of the dance they did during worship. They were wonderful gardeners, cooks, bakers and preservers. Because the group was told not to eat meat during a 10 year span in the 1800′s, they developed some delicious meatless dishes, which are favorites of vegetarians today. How about Shaker Cheesy toast or Shaker Rice N’ Nut Burgers???

How was that for a History lesson? There is plenty more where that came from, this book has 250+ pages full of ideas, information and recipes. Not only is this a cookbook, but also a teaching tool for anyone from mom, to grandmother even teachers.

Wonderful book to have some fun with your little ones.Okay now you know me, what would a cookbook review be without trying a recipe. We decided on trying a Dessert/ cookie  recipe from The Great Lakes Area called

Oatmeal Goodie Bars

This is what you need:

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups quick cooking oatmeal
• 1/2 cup of white flour
• 1/2 whole wheat flour ( I didn’t have whole wheat flour and used regular flour and it was great)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cloves
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup coconut

How to make the oatmeal bars:

• Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit; Children can grease the jelly roll pan; 15 by 10 by 1 inch or use a 9 by 13 by 2 inch pan.
• Children can help measure sugar, oil, and eggs into a large bowl; stir with a wooden spoon until smooth. Add oatmeal, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, raisins and coconut. mix well.
• Pour and spread into prepared pan.
• bake about 15 minutes for jelly roll pan, 15-20 minutes for 9 by 13 pan, just until center is set; Cool; cut into bars about 3 inches long.

This makes about 25 Bars….

How did we like them ?

OMG… these are wonderful; and the smell… I LOVE oatmeal Cookies and these are just delicious. They are so yummy that I ate almost all of them already, with some tea or Cocoa, they are wonderful now during this Holiday Season. You should make them one day; super simple, super quick…

What a wonderful book, I love it. So much information and a lot of simple ideas to do with the little ones. You can purchase your own at Amazon.com it retails for $19.99, and at any of your local Book stores, Or you can win your own copy here.

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What is a traditional  food  for your country, state, region   ?

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The PR company provided me with the product listed above for my honest review and the same book  for my winner . No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100 % my own.