Customer Reviews

The Low-Fat Jewish Cookbook: 225 Traditional and Contemporary Gourmet Kosher Recipes for Holidays and Every D ay

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

 

 

I'm not the only reviewer who noticed that the Kosher standards (and definitions of what the K and P letters mean on packages) are not necessarily correct in this book - but it bears repeating in case someone keeps Kosher and can't use recipes which are inaccurate as to Kosher standards. If you don't keep Kosher, the definitions may not mean that much to you and you may be pleased to find plenty of low-fat recipes which have roots in Jewish cooking and meals - including many you can use for special holidays, with full menus. The recipes are indeed tasty, although there are times you can tell that the fat is missing. The "mouth appeal" isn't quite the same, as they say in the food business. Still, if you're watching your fat content and you are looking for traditional foods that are tasty, this book will do nicely. I LOVED the spicy Turkey burgers with Cumin, coriander and cilantro - I made it both with and without the Cilantro (we have a Cilantro hater in our family) and it was still quite good.

The recipes in this book are very good and sophisticated (particularly for a Jewish cookbook). I am already looking forward to making over half of them.

Unfortunately, Ms. Levy makes some errors in her descriptions of kosher standards. Two prominent errors include: 1) Ms. Levy states that the symbol "K" on a food product indicates that it is kosher. The kosher consumer does not rely on a "K" symbol because it does not represent any particular reputable kosher certifying agency. 2) Ms. Levy states that the "P" symbol on a food product indicates that the product is parve (suitable for use with milk or meat). This is incorrect. The "P" symbol next to reputable kosher certification indicates that the product is kosher for Passover (as well as year round). A food product that is certified as parve must have "parve" written out on the label. These errors are particularly unfortunate because Jewish consumers often rely on kosher cookbooks as a guide to keeping kosher.

After checking out this book at the local library, I knew I HAD to have a copy of my own. I love all of the history written before each festival and the recipes are all simple and delicious! A wonderful book to add to the collection!

By today's standards, this is an unexceptional collection; there are so many better, more creative and appealing Kosher recipe collections available. The recipes are pretty standard fare, often timidly seasoned . At best, it's a guide to what kind of dishes are meat, dairy or pareve. Some nice photos. The book shows its age .

This book of recipies actually combines wonderful flavors that you really connot find in other kosher cookbooks. The author, Faye Levy, has a remarkable way of creating delicious combinations that the ordinary person cannot. The Sephardic Stuffed Peppers and the Sweet Potato Pancakes are amazing. The Veal Chop Pipperade is also delicious. The book is great.