Ricardo Larrivée is a household name in Canada. With TV shows, a magazine, a restaurant and multiple cookbooks under his belt, he’s truly a Canadian icon. And in his latest cookbook, called My First Recipe Book, Ricardo speaks to a younger crowd. It’s a lively and fun cookbook geared towards young chefs who want to get their hands dirty in the kitchen. Written with simple step-by-step instructions, I loved the graphics, photography and the addition of a helpful character named Quentin Alexander (or Q&A for short), who helps navigate questions throughout the book. This addition is really impactful as it’s a fun and conversational way to portray helpful info, like the science behind the chemical reaction of baking soda and vinegar in fluffy waffles. I loved these Q&A moments and I think any curious kid will as well.
While testing some recipes, I especially enjoyed how clear and concise the instructions were. If you’re looking for a book that will incentivize little ones into the kitchen, this is the book to get! Below are some of the recipes that I tested out for my family. The publisher graciously allowed us to share a few. You can find them linked.
Breakfast
Breakfast Banana Split, page 18
Here we have the classic banana split components, minus the ice cream and plus some protein-rich Greek yogurt. This was a really fun and easy way to start the day. Get the recipe: Breakfast Banana Split
Breakfast Hot Dogs, page 27
OK, it needs to be said that these are not really hot dogs. More, they’re breakfast sausages with bacon, eggs and cheese masquerading as hot dogs courtesy of fluffy hot dog buns. This recipe was so simple, but so appealing, especially to littles. I highly recommend making this with your kids on a lazy Sunday morning.
Big and Small Cravings
Oatmeal Cookies, page 53
These oatmeal cookies are as simple as simple can be. But despite their simplicity, I loved the three separate combos of ingredients that were recommended as cookie toppers before baking. It’s like customizing the cookie in three ways. I found it so clever and useful if you have a household of picky eaters.
Yogurt-Raspberry Cookies, page 62
These cookies reminded me of fluffy muffin tops. Which gets a win from me, as that’s the best part of the muffin. I made a batch of these and froze half. They came back from frozen perfectly. It was so convenient for a quick snack, and throwing one still-frozen into a lunch bag kept the rest of the lunch cold. It was perfectly defrosted in time for my afternoon coffee break. While kids might not have a coffee break, they can enjoy it as an afternoon snack.
The Eternal Struggle Of What To Eat
So What Are We Eating was a chapter we can all identify with too well. It’s filled with tasty-but-familiar recipes like Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Basic Tomato Sauce, Caesar Salad, BLTs, Grilled Cheese and Pizza. It is a great foundational learning chapter for new cooks with recipes that kids recognize and love.
Chicken Fried Rice, page 97
I loved that this recipe introduces the concept of using last night’s leftovers in a new dish. This is a great lesson for kids about reducing waste and how a bit of imagination can form yesterday’s leftovers into a completely new dish. The recipe is quite basic, but it had a delicious result. Just as good as any take-out, says me!
Burrito Bowls, page 104
Out of the wrap and into the bowl. This is such a colourful dish that’s chock-full of protein, carbs and crunchy veggies. I would have liked it to have had a dressing, as it seemed a bit dry to my liking. But it’s still a great way to enjoy all the fillings of a good burrito in a mess-free way. Even a drizzle of store-bought chipotle mayo could really up the ante. Get the recipe: Burrito Bowls
Drinks
The chapter called “I’m Thirsty” is packed with lots of beverages that span everything from icy smoothies for hot summer days to decadent hot chocolate for chilly winter mornings.
Watermelon Lemonade Slush, page 135
Honestly, this is the BEST way to enjoy the refreshing watermelon. Do yourself a favour and make this because your kids will love it. So will you. I added soda water to dilute it a bit, but you could also add an alcoholic beverage of your choice for an adult version of this awesome summer drink.
Pineapple-Coconut Smoothie, page 132
Pina-colada vibes for breakfast? What could be better? This recipe was delicious, though I did add vanilla protein powder to make it a breakfast shake. This is on repeat now at my house.
Strawberry Melon Bubble Tea, page 137
There are no fewer than three types of fruit in this bubble tea, with substitutions suggested for a caffeine-free version. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of tapioca pearls, so this was not my favourite, but I know so many who love them. If you do, then absolutely give this one a shot.
Dessert
The Dessert chapter was, in my opinion, the star of the show. Believe me when I tell you that your kids will want to try every one of these recipes, which include Chocolate Popsicles, Monkey Bread in a Cup, Chocolate-Caramel Lava Cakes and Chocolate-Banana Pizza. There is so much fun to be had in this chapter! Here’s what I tried:
Cheesecake Ice Cream, page 146
Five ingredients come together to make such a fantastic ice cream that even my chocolate-loving husband was converted. This recipe really did taste like frozen cheesecake. And since cherries were in season, I added them to my bowl rather than the suggested strawberries, but I’m sure whatever fruit you like would make a great topping for this frozen delight. Get the recipe: Cheesecake Ice Cream
Crunchy Chocolate Cereal Treats, page 166
The mix of textures of the three cereals slathered in dark chocolate was so good! I’m not sure all kids would like the bitterness of the dark chocolate, so maybe subbing in milk chocolate would be more appealing. But for me, dark chocolate is always preferred.
Excerpted from My First Recipe Book by Ricardo Larrivée. Copyright © 2024 RICARDO Media Inc. Photography credits: David de Stefano and Jean-Michel Poirier and Published by Appetite by Random House®, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.
