Dad's Own Cookbook

May 3, 1993
Space may be the final frontier for some, but for others--men, maybe?--it could instead be the kitchen. Sloan has assembled a light-hearted, very practical book aimed at fathers (or anyone) who is kitchen-shy and cuisine-ignorant. The author points out--accurately--that many cookbooks assume a level of competence that some beginners just don't have. He takes his readers in hand and literally tells them how to boil water. Also, how to shop, select good kitchen ware, organize the pantry and get a meal on the table. After mastering these basics, Sloan gets us started with breakfast recipes and goes on to homemade pizza and fare for a child's birthday party. Along the way, the designated cook can assign tasks to the kids to familiarize them with cooking. For some who might think that Dad's Own involves microwaving a prepared meal and sprinkling on a little pepper, forget it. Sloan believes in cooking from scratch. At first glance, tossing off chicken breasts with prosciutto and mozzarella or organizing a cocktail party may seem impossible for a novice. And yet, Sloan's extremely well-organized recipes and preparation and cooking tips should have even take-out devotees thumbing the pages for new recipes to try. Illustrations not seen by PW.

May 15, 1993
This book has a curiously dated feel to it; weren't cookbooks for the helpless male popular in the 1970s? Sloan, a New York City caterer, includes a lot of information about cooking basics, along with simple recipes, mostly designed with the kids in mind, though there are some more sophisticated attempts too. However, the tone of the book at times verges on that of a third-grade reader ("How Dad Likes to Cook Fish"), with a few sports analogies thrown in for good measure ("these are the Titleists of meatballs"). There are plenty of good basic cookbooks around, as well as more specialized titles like Michele Urvater's Monday to Friday Cookbook ( LJ 9/15/91), for any busy cook with children to feed. Nevertheless, expect demand.

Copyright 1993 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.