Kim Kushner has become known for her healthy, hearty and seasonal foods through her private chef business in Manhattan and now her new cookbook, The Modern Menu. You know how when you learn a new word all of a sudden you hear that word everywhere? Well, that is what happened with me and Kim. Kim’s book came out in March and I have been wanting to talk to her and write about her book, but other things kept getting in the way. Then I saw the book at a friends house one Shabbat, the following week another friend mentioned how much she loved Kim Kushner, I started following her on Instagram and found her on the Today Show, go Kim!
The Modern Menu is all about simplicity. “To my mind, less is more, simple is always best, and food should look as good as it tastes”, says Kim. She offers vibrant, every day recipes that should be used as a guide with tips and tricks to make them your own. There are no hard and fast rules with Kim, so mix and match and create your own menus as I did in this Modern Rosh Hashanah Menu From Kim Kushner.
Now, it’s time to learn a bit more about Kim and her new book, you will also get a chance to win a copy, so keep reading.
What inspired you to write this book?
My students and family inspired me to write this book. I had been teaching cooking classes for many years and every time I taught a class I would use hand outs to discuss the materials and recipes. After several years of this, people would ask “Enough with the hand outs, when’s the cookbook coming out?”
When I decided to start writing the book, I knew I wanted it to be something with fresh ingredients, and simple recipes. It had always been a goal of mine to write the kind of cookbook that I would want to cook from.
Tell us a little about your culinary background?
I grew up in a food loving family, my mother is a terrific cook and I always helped her in the kitchen, so food has always been in my background. When I started to cook more seriously, I attended the Institute of culinary education in New York City. I really loved working in their professional program, and used that educational knowledge to develop simple, beautiful recipes for several magazines including Food & Wine and Chile Pepper Magazine. From there I decided to take my work into private capacity, cooking as a personal Chef for some of New York’s more discerning eaters, and teaching private cooking classes. It’s been an exciting journey to get to where I am now, and I have loved all of the opportunities along the way.
What is your earliest cooking memory?
Earliest cooking memory would be making Moroccan cookies with my mother in the kitchen as a young girl. My mom was a wonderful cook, and really brought me a lot of great memories in her kitchen.
What is your favorite food to cook?
You’ll see a theme here – I really love whipping together simple dinners. I really believe that you don’t need 15 ingredients and half of the afternoon to create a beautiful dinner. Whether it’s grilled fish with lemon and herbs or simple salads, making fresh ingredients shine is my favorite way to cook.
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What is your favorite food to eat?
I love authentic Moroccan food that is very very spicy – my favorite thing in the world.
What is your best tip for our busy readers to take home to their kitchens?
I think the best tip for busy people is that less is more when it comes to cooking. You don’t have to do a lot to the food when you start with fresh, seasonal ingredients. A little olive oil, lemon, garlic and fresh herbs- that’s all you need. The rest should be easy!
Enjoy a sampling of Kim’s recipe in this Modern Rosh Hashanah Menu, see more and buy The Modern Menu here.
I am also a cookbook junkie. Wish I had more time to try new recipes!
I’d like ideas on substitutions because I hate running to the store for one ingredient!
How would you incorporate healthy recipes into lunches on the go?
My kids say I make the same thing every week so I need some new material. haha
Something new and modern from pasta that’s vegetarian!
Your rosh hashana menu sounds delicious!
i love your recipes
Would love to win this cookbook!
It is on the left side below Facebook and Twitter.
I’m always looking for ways to incorporate the Simanim of Rosh Hashana into interesting recipes. These look like fun!
I follow Kim’s blog and would love to win her cookbook.
It looks interesting. I hope that there are some low cal recipes in the book. I am thinking of getting it
Love simple yet delicious recipes, using seasonal ingredients. Sounds like this is what your book is all about. Thanks for putting all that knowledge in writing and a chance to win the book!
I could use some help beyond tossing in zhug to all my mother’s recipes. She never used anything more exotic than salt and pepper to season her dishes.
THank you so much for the rosh hashana menu ideas… I will try them! And I also love Moroccan food. I cook and eat it often, being part of the Manhattan Sephardic Congregation in NY, yay!
Keeping it simple is my motto.
How does one create ehalthy dinners when everyone is so picky?
This looks like just the update my cookbook shelf needs. I need this book!
I don’t see an icon to “Pin” the article or the recipes
Everything looks so yummy
I would love to win thei cookbook just in time to try new recipes for Rosh Hashana
Always looking for new cookbooks to try. When a recipe calls for green olives I am not sure what to buy. Any tips?
I love trying new cookbooks!
Always looking for something new and exciting- especially in the salad deparyment!
Would love to win this! Gorgeous cookbook!
I am a cookbook junkie and it’s always nice to see one I could actually use.
I would love to get insight on how to create menus, not just individual recipes. I like every dish I make to compliment one another. Thanks!
i love joy of kosher. it’s so great to have a place to get awesome recipes without having to worry about substituting ingredients!! and i love new cookbooks…
thank you for opportunity
This is my favorite way to cook too. I would love to get this cookbook.
This sounds like a great cookbook. I would love to win it.
How to make healthy veggie recipes for formal occasions that look and taste great reheated.
Do you have any good recipes for toddlers?