A Taste of the World

Celebrating Global Flavors

Rowena Scherer, The Collective Book Studio (FEB 27) Hardcover $29.95 (232pp) 978-1-68555-172-8, COOKING

Rowena Scherer’s family cookbook, A Taste of the World, collects accessible recipes, interesting facts, and easy-to-follow instructions for colorful, interactive cooking experiences.

An organic outcropping of the eat2explore subscription box, this cookbook features recipes appropriate for the skill sets of children as young as three all the way to adults. There are plenty of recipes at each level, ranging from beginning to intermediate. Some recipes even feature a range of skill sets so that a number of chefs with different skills can help in the kitchen. A simple rating system also clarifies potential allergens and dietary restrictions, including nut, dairy, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, as well as preparation and cooking times and the final number of servings. A smart, simple list of tips sets budding cooks up for success.

The book is divided first by continent and then by country, with each section including a smattering of recipes. The selections are accompanied by facts related to culture, topography, and population. The delectable and palate-widening dishes include mapo tofu from China, bulgogi kimbap from South Korea, pea soup with pancakes from Sweden, red lentil stew from Ethiopia, and stuffed potatoes with quinoa salad from Peru.

An instructive photograph accompanies each step of the process for easy reference, and the book ends with a glossary of useful terms. Colorful cartoon drawings of familiar landmarks edge the bottom of many pages, while the vibrant close-ups of finished dishes are enticing.

A Taste of the World is an attractive global cooking introduction—an amuse-bouche to give budding cooks a taste for international flavors and world cultures.