Cover Image: Jew-Ish: A Cookbook

Jew-Ish: A Cookbook

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is beautifully photographed and fulfills the purpose for which it was written. This is not your Grandmother's recipes (I'm certainly not knocking grandma!) but the recipes have been up dated for today's flavors, tastes and hosting. (If you still enjoy grandmas recipes and don't wish to update, that too is okay. But the book is refreshing and the pages convey a work of love that the author I think strives for. I believe he has hit his mark! All the classics are still there, just reinvented or better word, updated! Helpful tips, details and mouthwatering photography and recipes await you!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the ARC to read and review.

Jew-ish: A Cookbook is a gorgeous book that reinvents many traditional Jewish dishes of both Askenazi and Sephardic traditions. There are several holiday menus spread through out the book as well.

Jake Cohen provides very detailed but uncomplicated instructions for preparing meat, vegetable, salad, soup, and dessert recipes. But, I think the highlight of this book are the gorgeous photographs by Matt Taylor-Gross.

This is a cookbook I will be purchasing for myself when it releases in March 2021.

Was this review helpful?

Maybe I'm cynical, but I just really didn't get this book. I'm Jewish, and my culture means a lot to me, and this felt like a bit too much of a joke. Not for me.

Was this review helpful?

I was not able to download this book because of the format but am looking forward to getting it. I think this is so needed. I can't wait to make reimagined traditional foods.

Was this review helpful?

Jake Cohen brings a cookbook of 100 updated recipes that are sure to please for any Shabbat dinner. With vibrant pictures, the recipes will definitely catch your eye.

Was this review helpful?

Delicious updated versions of Jewish classics that fit into modern life quite nicely. The rosewater cardamom french toast was delicious and date roasted brussels sprouts was worth seeking out date syrup for! The photos are full page and mouth watering.

Was this review helpful?

Another great cookbook! This cookbook felt like talking to an old friend. The book is easy to follow with helpful details, but not overwhelming. I also enjoyed all of the personal touches! With Hanukah coming up, it was the perfect time to read this book. It also felt very "hip" (although I feel old just typing that out). As much as I loved reading about the recipes, I am not sure how many of them I would actually make, but I am looking forward to trying some and branching out!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC! All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

The whole vibe of this book feels like you're chatting with the author in a warm, comfy place. I love the vibrant pictures, the friendly, down to earth style and tone. I know little to nothing about Jewish cuisine, so the recipes are fairly new to me and very much to die for, especially the desserts! Also easy enough to follow that a not so accomplished cook could try their hand at this. The short history nugget about every recipe lends a very heartfelt personal touch that further adds to the whole charm of this cookbook.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

In this cookbook chock full of "reinvented recipes from a modern mensch," it's the perfect way for modern millennials to up their cooking game and put their own spin on the classic Jewish dishes they were raised on. The cookbook features loads of helpful tricks and tips as told through first-person experiences from the author. He includes recipes for everyday dining and meals to serve for the big holidays too, organized by meal, holiday, and beverages and such a variety of items included too. Each recipe gives you detailed instructions so that even the most basic of cooks, and non-cooks like me, can follow along and execute the steps. Each page features conversational language, that's relatable which reads as authentic to the reader. Then, each recipe has a little intro about the dish's origin and history and the author's tricks to modernize it and make it taste delicious. with step by step detailed instructions. The book features some of the most gorgeous food photography I've ever seen, and I swear my mouth is watering already. Seriously, I'm not much of a cook or baker, but there's a whole host of recipes that I cannot wait to try.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great book for someone like the author - a person just getting into Jewish cooking - but not quite as useful for someone who has spent more time honing their skills. It would be a great gift for a first apartment housewarming.

I realize I am not the target market, but hoped I would find more recipes that I wanted to try.

Was this review helpful?

As a lover of Jewish food, I am thrilled to see that the author is able to bring this cuisine to a wider audience through Jew-ish: A Cookbook. This book explains Jewish traditions and foods, and modernizes them to fit into a more secular, "Jew-ish" lifestyle by blending the Jewish with the gentile in the kitchen. This was really fun and I probably enjoyed the text more than the actual recipes.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for this ARC copy. I love this cookbook by Jake Cohen! It contains so many wonderful recipes, and most important to me, photos that accompany them. I grew up in a jewish household and my mother was a great cook. Sadly, she didn't have a recipe book, it was all in her head, as was the case for that generation! This book brings those recipes to life, but with a modern twist. I have so many recipes bookmarked, it will take me months to get through them, but it will be so much fun! I highly recommend this book if you've ever loved going to a jewish deli!

Was this review helpful?

NetGally provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A true sign of a great cookbook is that I find myself writing a shopping list as I read it. I couldn't stop bookmarking recipes in this! The cookbook is beautiful, simple, and straightforward. I would absolutely recommend it for folks who are just beginning to cook or who are looking for simple ingredient lists and easy instructions. Nothing within it feels complicated or out of reach, even for newbies in the kitchen. It contains all of the classics that you would expect to find in a Jewish cookbook (brisket, latkes, babka, etc.) and gives great advice and tips to adjust the recipes according to your needs. I will definitely be recommending this one to many.

Was this review helpful?

First off, this is a BEAUTIFULLY photographed book. As a confirmed non-Jew this was a great read. I never knew how many of my favorite foods were part of the Jewish community. The prose was entertaining and the recipes exciting. Looking forward to trying this version of my all time fav. Black & White Cookies.

Was this review helpful?

On the one hand I was really invested in the personal stories and blurbs that accompanied each recipe. Perhaps a bit too much. Do people really share family recipes with people their children are dating? Not married to or anything? Even got into a discussion about it with my mother who is all for preserving and sharing recipes, at any time apparently. I'm still coming around. But I wasn't actually super invested in the bulk of the recipes. Still a great read.

Was this review helpful?

Jew-ish: A Cookbook is a tutorial guide with recipes collected and developed/updated by Jake Cohen. Due out 9th March 2021 from Houghton Mifflin HarcourtHoughton Mifflin Harcourt, it's 272 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

It's well laid out with a trendy appealing vibe (definitely not my grandma's cookbook for sure). The introduction includes some salient observations from the author about ethnicity, food, love, and comfort in old traditions (and making new traditions).

The introduction covers the basics of Jew(ish) cooking, pantry essentials to buy and make, and essential accessories as well as an intro to the whole idea of pausing at the end of a work week and sharing food with people in our circles. The following chapters include the recipes arranged roughly by category: breakfasts, appetizers & snacks, salads, vegetables, carbs, soups & stews, mains, desserts, and drinks.

Ingredient measurements are supplied (mostly) in American standard measurements only - there are some recipes which include metric measures. Nutritional information is not included. Each recipe has a header with a short description of the recipe, yields, and approximate prep-times. Ingredients are listed bullet style in a sidebar followed by step by step directions. Extra tips or recipe alternatives are listed in text boxes in the recipes. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made for the most part with easily sourced ingredients. Not many of these are very simple, some of them are quite complex (but worth the effort). There are also four sample menus provided for high holiday entertaining and gatherings.
The author has a fun and upbeat style of writing. He's by turns whimsical and entertaining and his love and appreciation for his family, husband, and culture shine through in the text. It's also a beautuful book in its own right: lavishly photographed, the serving suggestions and food styling often include colorful serving accessories and well appointed tables as well as visually appealing well made food.

Five stars. This would make a superlative gift for an enthusiastic cook. Beautifully made babka and rugelach are sublime soul-satisfying blessings (I'm alllll about baked goods) and he includes good expanded recipes for both.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Was this review helpful?

This book is a fresh and unusual take on Ashkenazi and Mezrahi cuisine. No more boring kasha varnishkas- this version is kicked up a notch with mushrooms, dill and parsley! Savory take on kugel with spinach and artichoke, or a sweet version with cardamom and pear. How about adding some pickle juice to your braised cabbage? Or saffron to your chicken noodle soup?
And his persian chicken and celery stew is to die for. All mixed in with amusing stories and jokes.
This definitely isn't your grandma's boring peasant food!

Was this review helpful?

As a modern millennial, I was excited to read a cookbook that was geared toward me. Beautiful pictures and easy to follow recipes. I enjoyed the explanations throughout and the wide range of recipes. This is a book to share with others for sure to connect around food and culture. Excited to try many of the recipes.

Was this review helpful?

Please note this is a 3.5.

This book is an absolutely gorgeous collection of recipes that are marvellously modern and have absolutely gorgeous illustrations. A lot of the recipes, however, find themselves a little complex at times and have a lot of ingredients- which is why it is a little hard to institute them into a weekly routine. There’s a lot here if you’re really into meat recipes, however, and some of them might be really practical.

I enjoyed a lot of the cultural discussions in here, and the exploration of culture through autobiographical sections as well. The book melds anecdotes and food really beautifully, and there’s a lot to be found in here as well- especially for the carnivores out there!

Was this review helpful?

This cookbook was truly a delight to stumble upon! It's playful, informative, and cleverly inventive. The recipes are sound and have a range of difficulties - great for a newbie or a veteran. I love that no stone is left un-turned. Highlights include the recipe for schmaltz, make your own "everything bagel" seasoning, and TWO options for brisket. I plan to give the almond flour layer cake a go this weekend. Honestly, it's a great bible of Jewish cookery for absolutely anyone of any faith or lack thereof. And it's a must buy for Jewish parents to gift to their kids during Hannukah to ultimately guilt them into hosting high holidays.

Was this review helpful?