Cookbook Review: Favorite Family Meals by Annabel Karmel

Cookbook Review: Favorite Family Meals by Annabel Karmel 1Annabel Karmel is practically a celebrity in Great Britain. She is a bestselling author, a TV personality, and the mother of three. Her fame comes from her cookbooks that focus on nutrition for families and cooking for babies and toddlers.

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing Karmel's Favorite Family Meals, a cookbook originally published in 1999 and re-published in 2005. FFM promises "recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, healthy, and, of course, tasty." Plus, "most of them can be prepared in less than 30 minutes."

If I were to judge the book soley on its cover and appearance, I would give it a solid A+. The pages are glossy and smooth, and feature fun illustrations and enticing photographs. The font is easy-to-read and fun, with enough white space to allow the eyes to "rest."

Oh, and the recipes are plentiful...and delicious...and healthy. The "Marinated Beef Skewers" have already made it into my "all-time favorites" recipe box. And I can't wait to try the "Perfect Pancakes", the "Savory Breakfast Muffins," and the "Penne with Chicken, Tomatoes, and Basil."

This cookbook will be especially treasured by parents of elementary age children because Karmel is an expert when it comes to fun food presentation (you should see the photos in the book..."smiles" made with apple slices and mini marshmallows, teddy bear-shaped sandwiches, and funny face breakfast pizzas). I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a kid who wouldn't be captivated by Karmel's creative dishes.

If you'd like to get a "taste" (literally!) of what the book is like, you can find a fine selection of recipes based on your baby's age or your food preferences (healthy eating, vegetarian, breastfeeding "mums," etc.) on Karmel's site.

While you're on the site, you can learn about Karmel's eat fussy line of food products for infants and toddlers. I am SO checking to see if my CostCo carries it next time I'm there! Has anyone seen/tried these?

Finally, you're invited to join Annabel's Club. Members will receive a newsletter "full of helpful tips on nutrition and feeding your baby and child." You'll also receive "first access to new recipes, special offers, and all sorts of wonderful prizes to be won."
Cookbook Review: Favorite Family Meals by Annabel Karmel 2
WIN IT! One mama will win Favorite Family Meals by Annabel Karmel. To enter, simply leave a comment and your e-mail address on this post prior to Thursday, Feb. 7, at midnight. The winner will be announced and contacted on Friday, Feb. 8. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

* UPDATE * The winner is #156 anonymous. Congratulations!

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246 comments on “Cookbook Review: Favorite Family Meals by Annabel Karmel”

  1. I am in a cooking slump. They say variety is the spice of life and this cookbook would probably add a lot of spice to my cooking routine. Thank you for this giveaway. Please enter me to win!

  2. Would love to win this! I have checked some of her books out from her local library. Great info on learning to fix food for my 10 month old!

  3. My baby is just at the age where he needs to be eating our food, and I can never figure out what to cook! This looks like a great book. Thanks!

  4. Seriously...my fiancee has been cooking us dinner for 5 years now!! I don't know how to cook, well, except for cereal and toast!!! Pick me! I NEED THIS!!

  5. I need some new meal ideas. I run a foster home for disabled adults and I like to surprise them with something new and tasty!

  6. I am always looking for fun, new meal ideas for my two picky little guys (and my picky husband)! This book looks great!

  7. Hi. My name is Brionne and I will be 17 in 16 days! I love to cook meals for my family so that my parents can have a treat after a long day at work. I love pouring over recipe books to find delicious new meals.
    [email protected]

  8. I really need this! I have been so frustrated lately with my inability to cook food that's wholesome and tastes good. Would love to check this out!

  9. I love cookbooks! This would be so helpful to my family and probably save me some money!! cookiecutter72 AT hotmail DOT com

  10. Sounds like this is the kind of cookbook that would get quite the workout in this house. Thanks for blogging about it...and giving one away!

  11. Anything that might convince my 4 year old to expand her meals beyond grilled cheese and Dora yogurt would get an A+ from me! Please enter me!

  12. Feeling like I seriously need to win this.
    #1) Because I have the world's pickiest toddler. She eats a little here and there, but oh boy, it's a tough one getting her to eat a balanced meal!
    #2) I need to eat healthier! I'm pooped by the time dinner comes around, and I make whatever is available. Buy better foods at the grocery, you say! Foiled once again, pooped while shopping so I toss the old favorites into the cart.

    We use the Eating for Life cookbook some when we have energy for prep time. It is good (and healthy!) stuff, but my toddler won't eat any of this stuff!

    I'm really crossing my fingers for this one!

  13. I have the baby and toddler cookbook from Annabel Karmel and it's great, I'd really like to read the family one !
    thanks for the giveaway !

    miniloulous(at)yahoo(dot)com

  14. I've never heard of her, Annabel before, but her website and this cookbook sound great. I'll have to go check our her suggestions for my daughter's age group.

  15. I love to cook for my family! I would love to have this book! Thank you!

    sarahmarie[dot]pemberton[at]gmail[dot]com

  16. My friend has her Superfoods book and it looks so good! This one looks great too.
    da [at] dawnalice [dot] com

  17. with 7 kids the same old things comes in handy ..knowing what to do in your sleep . but there comes a time when you want and need a change and this is one of them .. i would like this book to begin this change.

  18. This does sound like something we could use to break up the monotony of the same meals over and over again.

    paschott [[at@]] gmail [dot] com

  19. I researched this cookbook author when I was starting my baby on solids and making all her food from scratch...but opted for more puree based books then. I need to expand my repertoire now that my daughter is nearly 20 months (no, she is not just eating purees still! ;) so this would be super handy. Thanks for entering me!
    sharibrownfield(at)gmail(dot)com

  20. I have heard about this cookbook!
    What a wonderful giveaway. Please enter me in your drawing. I appreciate it. Thanks,Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

  21. I just checked out one of her books from the library. It's great and I'd love to have one of my own!

    amyruthwebb at gmail dot com

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