Customer Reviews

Kosher by Design Entertains: Fabulous Recipes for Parties and Every Day

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Kosher Palette was great. It was one of the first Kosher cookbooks I've used which featured original dishes with interesting combinations of ingredients, almost all of which were successful. Naturally, I was very excited about Kosher by Design, which was also good, if not quite as great as Kosher Palette.

Kosher by Design Entertains, on the other hand, was disappointing. Many of the recipes seem to be more complicated versions of recipes I already have, and the results are often mediocre. For example, the Balsamic-braised roast is okay, but I have a recipe for Pot Roast in Wine Sauce which is nearly effortless and tastes, if anything, better. I have a Butternut Squash soup recipe which, in my opinion, is way more interesting than the Sweet Potato Soup she raves about, not to mention easier.

I was disappointed in the lack of originality of many recipes. Recipes like "Angel Food Cake," "Apple Kugel," and "Yellow Split Pea Vegetable Soup," while presentable, are not exactly the unique recipes I've come to expect from Susie.

Many of the recipes, in addition to being gratuitously complicated, require equipment that I have neither the budget nor the kitchen space to purchase. I suppose this would not apply to people whose kitchens are not kosher, but as a kosher cook I just can't see investing in a food processor to be used only for meat recipes, or a mini-bundt pan to be used only for dairy recipes.

On a more positive note, the photography is beautiful and the party pages are a lot of fun. Although I'm not the type to throw these kinds of parties (and who is, really -- how realistic are those complicated menus if you're serving a crowd of people?), it's fun to fantasize and enjoy the beautiful pictures. I suppose the book might be worth it for that, and for the few recipes which are worth doing. Just don't expect the originality and ease of Susie's previous books. While you can definitely get more creative if you're paid by the hour to cook and have an expense budget for your equipment, most of us are not in that situation.

If I buy twelve do I get a bakers dozen because my friends keep swiping my copy that I cannot seem to keep one on my shelf?! If you can get past the blinding beauty of this book and start cooking, you would be even more impressed. I have shocked myself at what a great cook I have become because of this fabulous book. The recipes are unusual, interesting and easy. I have never had better soups and I have tried them ALL. I am always looking for new chicken recipes and the Roasted Garlic Chicken stuffed with dried fruit and nuts is my current favorite and out of this world. I love the carefully worded explanantions that go with each recipe and the helpful tips that the author gives. I love the resource guide in the back and I cannot say enough about this book! Do yourself a favor and buy this book...or twelve of them!

I purchased this book right before Sukkot, at my (21yr. old) daughter's request - before she was due to arrive for the holiday. Not only did it arrive (early) in time for the holiday - but the recipes were great!. We brought one of the salads to a friend for one of the meals, and she insisted on getting the recipe from us. The recipes are doable - and come out delicious. Would definitely recommend this book.

Like most guys, I never know what to give as a gift. So when my mother's birthday approached, I felt that old tightness in my chest. Then I happened to see this new cookbook. It inspired me. So - I gave it to Mom and I think it made up for all the lousy gifts I gave her over the years - starting with that toad when I was five! She calls me almost daily to tell me what new recipe she tried. And I get invited over to taste test everything now! Thanks, Susie Fishbein. A therapist couldn't have improved things to this degree!

This cookbook provides everything we have come to expect from one of Susie Fishbein's creations, and then some. The pictures are beautiful, the recipes are unique and straight-forward, and the results are fantastic. The 'pastrami stuffed turkey roast with pineapple glaze' has already become a family favorite! I had to pry the cookbook out of my husband's hands when I first brought it home - he was reading it like a beloved novel. I especially appreciate the resource guide - it is so helpful and really makes the book user-friendly. Thanks Susie - can't wait for the next one!

Usually when I buy cookbooks, I read them try maybe 1 or 2 items and then they collect dust. But this one hasn't left my counter since the day I bought it. I highly recommend purchasing this book; and not only for the food- but the table settings are brilliant

Move over, Martha...there's a new cook on the block!

Kosher by Design Entertains is definitely not your typical Kosher cookbook. There are over 250 innovative, inspired recipes, including Tri-Colored Matzo Balls, Mexican Gefilte Fish, Seared Duck Salad, Roasted Eggplant Soup, Balsamic Braised Brisket with Shallots and Potatoes, Hazelnut and Honey Crusted Veal Chop, and Triple Chocolate Explosion. Wow! Susie Fishbein obviously loves to use the best ingredients available to make elegantly simple, yet innovative food that wows the eye as well as the palate.

Kosher By Design Entertains is jam-packed with magnificent photography that is so mouth-watering, it may even inspire you to rush right into your kitchen and start cooking! There are fabulous photo spreads for nine different party themes, each for a different occasion with a different format, e.g., a baby shower (dessert buffet), engagement party (cocktail party), anniversary party (formal dinner) and housewarming (buffet). The creative and eye-catching presentations have been designed to inspire you to adapt the details to your own entertaining needs.

If you are looking for some delicious twists to update your traditional Passover menu, look no further. The Passover Guide at the back of the book lists 70 recipes, along with substitutions and modifications, that are appropriate for Passover. Recipes are designated as meat, dairy, pareve and gebrokts.

She includes suggested menus for other Jewish Holidays, a Resource Guide for unusual kosher ingredients, and a Buying Guide for the cooking tools and housewares that are photographed throughout the book.

Fishbein is an everyday cook who loves to share her passion for cooking and entertaining with friends and family. Remarkably, she is mostly self-taught. However, chefs from three famous restaurants worked with her in her own kitchen to develop some of the recipes for this book, providing a fusion of Italian, French and Asian cultures.

When I spoke with Susie recently to interview her for a Passover article on my website Gourmania.com, I asked her for some simple suggestions for an elegant, hassle-free Passover Seder menu, plus some of her favorite recipes (you can find the recipes below on my website).

"I don't like to have 17 dishes on the table," she replied. "I prefer a lot less food and like to choose dishes that don't cause stress. I know there will be kids at a Seder and they love my green Shrek-style Spinach Matzo Balls. They can be made in advance, which is perfect."

I asked her what she would suggest as a main dish. Without hesitating, she said, "Rib Roast with Melted Tomatoes is outstanding. It tastes best when served fresh, so it would make an ideal main course for the second Seder, Sunday evening. The hasselback potatoes also taste best fresh from the oven."

I asked about her Roasted Beet Salad. Susie said "Not one person in my family likes beets. Not one person left a drop of this salad over when I served it and it was requested the very next night! You can easily make it in advance."

Without a doubt, "Kosher by Design Entertains" belongs in every Jewish kitchen! It is an outstanding resource for elegant entertaining with ease.

Photographs are beautiful, receipes are easy to follow, uncommon and uncomplicated. Unusual ingredients are listed in the back with stores from which to purchase. Entertainment ideas are interesting and not the "same old thing". All in all, this is a great buy. Well done!

Susie Fishbein is transforming the way we look at kosher cuisine and putting it on par with any other gourmet food. This is an entertaining cookbook first filled with fabulous recipes and fun party ideas and a kosher cookbook second. Besides her own recipes, the book has those from top restaurant chefs as well. The book also has a much appreciated food resource list for unusual and hard to find items.

I rarely use a cookbook. I usually cook by being inventive and using my own imagination to create recipies. When I saw Kosher By Design Entertains I was drawn to it by the beautiful pink cover. I read about the author and thought this could be me. I love the simple and easy directions. The photos are outstanding. This book makes you want to cook.