Cookbook aims to spruce up Shabbats and holidays
“52 Shabbats — Friday Night Dinners Inspired by a Global Jewish Kitchen” is a kosher cookbook with a fresh take on recipes, including Passover favorites. It’s written by food writer and recipe developer Faith Kramer; its recipes are rooted in Jewish history. Color photographs are by Clara Rice.
It’s a beautiful cookbook. I would add that it’s not for the novice cook, although the recipes are so well written and easy to follow. They are special and not designed for someone who is short on time and looking for a quick recipe. I think your family and friends will appreciate these recipes and understand the love and time that went into making them.
Though it was written for dinners throughout the year, particularly on Shabbat, the book is a resource for year-round cooking, including on Passover, drawing from Sephardic, Mizrahi, and global Jewish cuisines with Passover traditions and ingredients. Ms. Kramer reimagines classics with bold seasonings, fresh herbs, and interesting techniques, making the book a go-to for hosts seeking Passover dishes that feel meaningful and exciting.
From entrees to vegetable-forward sides and elegant desserts, Ms. Kramer’s recipes encourage cooks to explore how Jewish communities around the world have adapted their food for holidays and celebrations — including Passover.
Passover is a holiday deeply tied to memory, storytelling, and food,” Ms. Kramer said. “Exploring global Jewish flavors at the Seder table connects us not only to our own family traditions, but to Jewish communities across history and geography.”
The book is organized by seasons, with chapters on sides, desserts, and fundamentals, making it easy to make a Passover menu. There are also notes on substitutions, including about kitniyot, and adapting recipes to their own Passover practices.