Kosher By Design Entertains: Fabulous Recipes For Parties And Every Day (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Building on her popular Kosher by Design, Fishbein leads readers through an array of extremely doable kosher options, covering finger foods to main dishes to desserts, while giving suggestions for organizing a menu, decorating a table and serving foods. International offerings like Pesce Arrabbiatta, Moroccan Short Ribs, and Caribbean Jerk Chicken appear alongside variations on familiar classics, such as Mexican Gefilte Fish, Strawberry Apple Kugel, and Mexican Brisket. The author is hip to trendy food items such as edamame, olive tapenade, fennel and porcini mushrooms, reinforcing this cookbook's value: yes, every dish is kosher, but far from old-fashioned. Fishbein suggests salmon mousse as an alternative to gefilte fish and uses innovative combinations such as bread pudding with kugel (in Pineapple Challah Kugel). In dishes like Steak and Green Beans with Wasabi Cream Sauce, or Orecchiette with Salmon in Cream Sauce, Fishbein uses nondairy sour cream and cream cheese. She codes each dish parve, meat or dairy, and gives helpful pointers (the Arugula and Pear Salad, for example, "works equally well with Granny Smith apples in place of the pears. Think of the apple option for Rosh Hashana"). Even if readers aren't likely to throw a "Just for Guys" dinner and decorate their table with a "homey, masculine look," or follow Fishbein's other ideas for theme nights, here are plenty of solid recipes perfect for any occasion. Color photos throughout. (Mar.)
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Product Description

Susie Fishbein has done it again! A new cookbook with all the elegance and flair of the original best-selling Kosher by Design, with more magnificent photography, great ideas and an array of fabulous recipes! Each recipe is simple yet elegant enough for any Shabbat, holiday, party or everyday meal. In addition, Susie reveals the secrets of successful hostesses. From an outdoor picnic to a formal anniversary dinner, Susie knows how to make your guests feel at home.

Kosher By Design Entertains features:
Over 250 brand new recipes and 200 stunning color photographs
Triple-tested recipes ensure accuracy, ease of preparation and elegant presentation
Nine different party formats complete with menu suggestions
Tips on creating the perfect ambience
Special Passover index
Resource and Buying Guide

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 335 pages
• Publisher: Mesorah Publications, Limited (March 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578194474
• ISBN-13: 978-1578194476
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #192,921 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #42 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Special Diet > Kosher
  #42 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Kosher Foods

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Susie gets paid to fuss in her kitchen -- I don't!, December 6, 2005

By	Anonymous - See all my reviews

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.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the best cookbook ever!, March 9, 2005

By	Cathleen Moxham "Cathleen" (USA) - See all my reviews

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!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic recipes!, October 19, 2007

By	CGMorris "cgm" (boca FL) - See all my reviews

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.