Our Fav Cookbooks for Hanukkah
Words by: Maggie Laubscher | Music by: Abby Yemm
Happy Hanukkah, Nellies! Today is day two of the eight nights of light and love and celebration. It’s eight nights of bringing light and warmth into our homes, our communities and our world.
The holiday is celebrated with lights and gifts and food. This year, we are highlighting the food. Traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil. Latkes and sufganiyot are classics and represent the original jar of oil that lasted for eight days. Bimuelos are also popular, as are sfenj and keftes de prasas.
Below, we’ve rounded up our fav cookbooks to celebrate Hanukkah and explore Jewish foods all year…
Yotam Ottolenghi is a British chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and household name. As one of the most respected chefs in the world, Ottolenghi has several cookbooks, all with a vegetarian and Mediterranean focus. According to Bliss Books & Wine, “Jerusalem: A Cookbook is his most personal, original and beautiful cookbook yet.” Published in 2012, it’s a treasure trove of recipes that reflects Jerusalem's rich history of food.
By Leah Koenig
The Jewish Cookbook is a definitive collection of Jewish recipes from hundreds of chefs -- including some whose cookbooks we feature in this roundup. The beautifully bound book debuted in 2019 with stories and recipes from different regions and backgrounds, all celebrating Jewish cuisine.
Published in 2021 and already a New York Times bestseller, Jew-Ish, A Cookbook offers a modern take on Jewish culinary traditions. Author and food writer Jake Cohen is an Instagram darling and rising star in the food world. Jake reinvents the food of his Ashkenazi heritage and draws inspiration from his husband's Persian-Iraqi traditions.
By Michael Solomonov & Steve Cook
Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking is an essential Jewish cookbook with a modern twist on the flavors of Israel. The 2015 cookbook breaks down Jewish food into easily understandable recipes full of heart and flavor. Co-authors and business partners Solomonov and Cook share personal stories throughout the book. They also include recipes from their award-winning restaurant Zahav, one of Philadelphia’s most popular restaurants.
By Andrew Tarlow & Anna Dunn
Beloved cookbook Dinner at the Long Table offers family-style meals organized by occasion. Blended with personal anecdotes and photography, the cookbook is a delight to read as much as to cook from. Co-author Andrew Tarlow has several successful Brooklyn restaurants, all with the idea of simple shared meals adding meaning to one’s life. The menus within the 2016 cookbook encompass memorable feasts, informal dinners and everything in between.
By Einat Admony
The beautiful cookbook Balaboosta (Yiddish for perfect housewife) is the work of Israeli-born chef and New York restaurateur Einat Admony. The delicious recipes within the book represent her mixed Israeli heritage and modern Mediterranean palate. It offers meals for every occasion, from dinner parties to adventurous dishes to healthy options and comfort food.
And an Abby Yemm playlist for you…
A playlist by Abby Yemm, Nellie + teacher + artist + dj
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