Two local moms, Nathalie Legeron and Josee Turcotte, have edited a new cookbook to help parents satisfy the growing appetites of toddlers ages 1 to 4.
The cookbook, Favorite Foods for Tots, is a collection of 65 original and healthy recipes shared by Hoboken parents and taste-tested by their toddlers. The cookbook is edited in partnership with major sponsor Hoboken Pediatrics.
“For parents, feeding their toddlers is a daily challenge,” said Turcotte, who has a 2-year-old named William. She added that there are plenty of options out there for adult cookbooks, but when it comes to recipes geared toward young children, the selections are uninspiring.
That is when they came up with the concept of the cookbook. They approached that Hoboken Family Alliance, a non-profit group that supports local families, for recipe ideas.
“Everyone really embraced the idea,” said Legeron, who has a 2-year-old named Victoria. She added that parents were happy to share their children’s favorite recipes. Some of the recipes included in the book are “hidden veggie meatloaf,” “salmon nuggets,” “Teletubbies French toast,” and “Irish beef stew.”
What makes a recipe perfect for toddlers?
“It’s best if it’s healthy, flavorful, colorful, easy to make and easy to eat,” said Turcotte. In fact, a local dietitian from St. Mary Hospital has volunteered her time to review all the recipes and add nutritional tips.
All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to two local organizations that care for children, the Lutheran Home for Children and the Jubilee Center Homework Club. The Lutheran Home for Children is a residence located in Jersey City that cares for 6- to 12-year-old children who were neglected or abused. The Jubilee Center Homework Club provides homework assistance for children of low-income families that live in the city’s Housing Authority.
The money from the book sales will be used to fund monthly birthday parties for 5- to 16-year-old children. The birthday parties are also sponsored by the Hoboken Family Alliance.
The price of the book is $10 and will be available as of Dec. 11 at the following locations: Echo of Art at 157 First St., Hoboken Pediatrics at 411 First St., Romparoo at 537 Park Ave., St. Mary Hospital gift shop at 308 Willow Ave., Wee Beasties Bootery at 515 Washington St., and Yes I Do at 312 Washington St.