Recipes from Teens

The great thing about sending your kids to cooking camp is that they come home and can cook dinner for you. (Now, if they only had a do-your-chores camp.)

Easy cookbooks are also a good way to get kids interested in cooking, and a new book by British 16-year-old Sam Stern might be just the ticket. "Sam Stern's Cooking Up a Storm: The Teen Survival Cookbook" has teen 'tude, as well as recipes that run the gamut from PB&J to Thai curry. My own 16-year-old liked the book, although she thought including a recipe for PB&J was, and I quote, "so, like, stupid."

Yeah. Whatever.

Garlic Chicken

4 servings

This easy chicken entree can be made by teens who like to cook -- or even by their parents. When the chicken is done, serve with buttered noodles tossed with Parmesan (my daughter's idea) and spoon over the garlicky cooking juices.

Adapted from "Sam Stern's Cooking Up a Storm: The Teen Survival Cookbook" (Candlewick Press, $16.99).

4 to 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 large clove garlic, peeled and chopped or crushed

Handful of chopped herbs, such as rosemary, basil, tarragon and/or thyme

Good squeeze (1 tablespoon) fresh lemon juice

Salt