A Grandfather’s Lessons: In the Kitchen with Shorey

Pépin is a familiar face from decades of television shows and cookbooks (Jacques Pépin Heart & Soul in the Kitchen), and in 1996 he introduced his daughter Claudine (Kids Cook French) to audiences. Now he brings his granddaughter, Shorey, into the family business with this endearing cookbook that is accompanied by links to 10-minute videos hosted by Sur la Table. Sections on proper table manners and napkin folding impart an old-fashioned feel, and while Pépin admonishes parents not to coddle children but to serve them adult food, the book overflows with typically kid-friendly American dishes, such as English-muffin pizzas, curly hot dogs with relish, and raspberry Jell-O with strawberry sauce. More challenging projects include a loaf of bread hollowed out and stuffed with fish and shellfish (then baked until crusty), and chocolate cups made by dipping inflated balloons into melted chocolate. Recipes that showcase specific techniques—such as a combination of sausages, potatoes, onions, and mushrooms cooked en papillote—are useful. As always, Pépin is a gently encouraging guide, and he makes an able spokesperson for family dinner, but no new ground is broken, and pull quotes from Shorey about how much she adores her “Papi” and loves cooking give little hint of her personality. (Sept.)