Traditions and celebrations go hand-in-hand. And even when there are family recipes that everyone looks forward to, it’s sometimes fun to mix things up a bit with some new ideas. Here, then, is our roundup of cookbooks for Hebrew holiday celebrations, reviewed by our own Lisa George.

The Healthy Jewish Kitchen: Fresh, Contemporary Recipes for Every Occasion

Paula Shoyer, a.k.a. the Kosher Baker, is the author of The Healthy Jewish Kitchen, and is a popular face on television as Jewish holidays draw near. Shoyer writes, “My goal was to create recipes that use only natural ingredients. I banished margarine, frozen puff pastry, soup stocks and powders, and most jarred sauces. I gave up frying and created baked goods with as much whole grain flour as I could. I made recipes gluten free where possible. I reduced sugar and salt.” These new spins on traditional recipes are more nutritious, just as tasty, and often easier to prepare. That’s music to any cook’s ears.

Read the rest of the review, here.

Cookies from The Modern Jewish Table

The Modern Jewish Table, 100 Kosher Recipes from Around the Globe

Tracey Fine and Georgie Tarn are the sassy British housewives of Jewish cooking. They are trendy, current, hip, gorgeous, energetic, and funny. What’s not to love? Their latest cookbook should be celebrated in Kosher kitchens. Introducing each section are funny quips from the authors along with a short index defining the cultural terms for those readers not familiar with Jewish colloquialisms.

Read the rest of the review, here.

Kosher by Design Brings it Home 
This is Susie Fishbein’s ninth and final installment in her bestselling series, Kosher by Design. The 115 recipes featured in this latest cookbook were inspired by her travels in Italy, France, Israel, Mexico, and favorite places in America. Every recipe has a gorgeous accompanying photo, and there are snapshots with captions from her travels decorating the double-page spreads separating the chapters.

Read the rest of the review, here.

The Holiday Kosher Baker
An earlier book by Paula Shoyer, the impetus for writing this new book came during the book tour for her first book. She met so many people who clamored for instruction and inspiration in baking for the Jewish holidays, and she writes, “This convinced me that I had to keep going, pushing the community toward even better, more contemporary, easier, and healthier desserts. The kosher baking revolution continues.”

Read the rest of the review, here.

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