I figure you may be wondering about my new Joy of Kosher cookbook, like what’s the Mah Nishtanah this time. So I interviewed myself, asking the questions people ask me. If I missed anything you just gotta know, ask in the comments and I will answer you – a whole lot more fun than talking to myself.
Q: So this is your third cookbook. Did you always want to write cookbooks?
A: I always wanted to eat. But cooking? Not so much. I had to learn out of necessity, so I taught myself, struggling through epic failures till I could serve something edible.
Q: Is “Hubby” a real person?
A: Realer than real. He’s the reason I learned to cook. Just my luck, he comes from a family of professional caterers and naturals in the kitchen. What’s a girl to do?
Q: What about “Angel Face” and “Miss Bouncy,” are they real too?
A: Absolutely. They’re my kids – along with Little Momma, Bruiser and The Baby. This book is all about family, so naturally I brought my family into it. Their real names are a real mouthful since each kid has two names and one even has three, so the nicknames work well. You’ll see them in full color throughout the book being themselves, enjoying life – jumping, laughing, running, eating. When it comes to prancing in front of a camera, they inherited that gene from me. I couldn’t believe it when the baby waited for the camera to be pointed at her before she would smile.
Q: ‘Scuse me, but cookbooks are about food. Where does your family come in?
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A: ‘Scuse me, but who eats all that food? I think food is very personal and has to fit your family dynamic. My family is a major influence on my cooking. Like all family cooks out there, I have to find healthy , satisfying recipes my kids will actually eat, taking all their biases into consideration (“Oooh, that looks too squishy.” You know what I mean.) So when people think of food, they immediately think of whom they’re serving it to and what the reaction will be. We all want to hear, “Yummy! More, please.” I had lots of fun translating my family’s favorite cozy weekday meals into fancy-shmancy dishes too. Now it’s my guests who say, “Yummy! More please.”
Q: The recipes are that good?
A: My best! I put together more than 100 of my go-to everyday foolproof recipes (I know because I’m the fool who worked them over again and again) as well as the ones I use for holidays and special occasions. They were tested over and over till we got them perfect. Hubby ate the mains; I did desserts. Somebody had to. Then we doubled the number of dishes by providing Dress Up/Dress Down options. So you’ve got over 200 possibilities here, all easy and all absolutely delicious.
Q: I’m glad you mentioned that. In the book’s title, what do “Dress Them Up” and “Dress Them Down” mean?
A: The whole idea of this book is that we don’t have to compartmentalize our cooking brains into “Everyday” and “Holiday.” We can build bridges. I take those fave recipes of mine and show you how to dress them up as a tantalizing, elegant dish worthy of entertaining or dress them down for Wednesday night din din. And we’re not talking about boring “kid food.”
Q: You have said that this cookbook is your “most personal”? Why is that?
A: In my other books I told some personal stories, but in this one I tell a TON of personal stories. I also share diary entries and pictures from our family albums and talk about my life and the people in it a lot, lot more – I guess because appreciating my approach to food has a lot to do with knowing what makes me tick. My food and I are inseparable in more ways than one. And hey, it’s a lot of fun to write that stuff. People tell me, “This book is more than just great food; it’s a great read”. You’ll laugh with me. Some people even cry with me.
Q: Care to provide a preview of some of your fave recipes?
A: Yup, with pleasure and pictures too!
From left to right: Pecan Sticky Buns, Chocolate Chip Cookie Cream Stacks, Birthday Pancakes, Peaches and Jam Sweet Pot Cake, Soba, Sweet Sesame Tofu, and Vegetables, Moroccan Roasted ChickenOrder your copy of the Joy of Kosher cookbook.
my Hubby LOVE rugelach
This book looks ah-mazing! Since I love your recipes and your breezy style of writing, I can’t wait to see this book. Thanks for this and all the great contests and articles on the site. They add spice to an already tasty site!
I’d love to win this. I’ve checked out their website and they have some great recipes
What gorgeous photos! I can’t wait to try the gorgeous recipes that go with them!
You’re my go to place for shabbos meals.
looking forward to the new book
Looking forward to the new book 🙂
Can’t wait to add this to my Jamie Geller collection!
What beautiful pictures! I can’t wait to read your new book Jamie!
I love the picture of the meat stuffed potato kugel- is there a recipe? or should I just make my regular potato kugel and layer deli slices in the middle?
I would love to try the Rugelach. Always a favorite in our house!
Vanessa!!!! What a comment. So powerful and so meaningful and so appreciated and all the way from London. I love this web and this website connects us all in so many way and brings us close. Thank you!
Just wanted to say how excited I am about your new book! The taster recipes look fabulous! Even though I am fairly confident in the kitchen (after years and years of practice – and mishaps) I take such comfort in your down to earth family recipes, particularly as my family grows. I also find your suggestions on how to make the kitchen and home a special place really inspiring, so I can’t wait for more of your writing in the next book. Thank you and best wishes from London!
YAY!!!!!!!!! Thanks Tali, I am still beside myself over it!
AMEN AMEN AME!!!!!!!!! Thanks Shulamuna!
Can’t wait for you to see it
Jan don’t you dare be ashamed, celebrate it!!! I am teary now and so happy for you and your family & guests!!! You are never alone – I am always here with my books, mag, website – happy to help!
Then yes you would absolutely LOVE this book!
Me too – and the picts here are so incredible. I wanted the food to be dripping off the page.
Hey Chavie – it really is. I (humbly 🙂 think it’s my best! I can’t wait to hear what you think when you get it.
Allison!!!! Thank you for saying so! You are gonna love this one too. Meanwhile I have to have a few more West Coast events to make the trip worth it so haven’t confirmed AZ yet…
They are – I also can’t wait for you to try them!!!
Hey Samantha – I am totally excited too – like freaking out excited!!! I can’t pick a single favorite it’s totally absolutely and utterly impossible but if I am forced to pick a favorite in a category I would say my Avocado Salad with Butter Lettuce and Basil and the most delicate Lemon Dressing is a salad I dream about, the Moroccan Style Chicken is a favorite family dinner and the Ooeey Gooey Nutty Pecan Sticky Buns are just absolutely and completely not normal. How’s that for an answer?
Marcia – thank you! I can’t wait either!!! It’s really so exciting and so nice to share this moment with you and everyone else.
Thanks Diana! They really are amazing recipes — perfect, delicious, mouthwatering, scrumptious and sumptuous (lol enough effusive adjectives for you?). I mean it when I say this is my best collection!
oh Faigy I love you! thank you!
A book by HarperCollins — way to go, Jamie!! Can’t wait to see it.
Hatzlacha rabba on your new cookbook!
Can’t wait to see the new cookbook!
Jamie, if it weren’t for you, this bubbe would often be lost as to what to make for dinner. I should be ashamed to admit it but, it’s only in the past few years that I’ve been keeping my kitchen and my family & guests kosher. Thank you for all your wonderful recipes and cooking shows/videos!!!!
I would love this cookbook. I’m always looking for easy recipes for my family.
i love cookbooks, especially w/ beautiful, mouth watering photos. and kosher!
This new cookbook looks even better then the others and they were amazing cant wait to get a copy
You’re coming to AZ??? WOOHOO!!! I just love your books and they have truly made me a better cook!
The recipes look amazing- cant wait to try them!!!
So excited for your new book!! Congrats! Can’t wait to see it and try the recipes!!
What’s your favorite recipe to cook and eat?
Can’t wait for the book to come out. Everything in the pictures looks delicious
These recipes look amazing! Looking forward to the book being released!
Hello! I can’t wait to check out your new book. Any chance you will visit Las Vegas?
I love your cookbooks – can’t wait to see this one
I wish – would love to meet you in person! Surprisingly I have never done a demo in LA. I have been invited to Arizona but not further west…
YES…I think the time has come for Jamie to come to AZ!!!
Jamie, I can’t wait to look through the book. Will you be in LA at all?! Say yes!
It’s one of our new absolute family favorites! It was almost the cover of the book.
The Moroccan Chicken looks amazing!!
Awesome! Hope you love the book!
after cooking for over 40 years always ready to learn new kitchen tips and receipes.thank you.
Looking forward to seeing even more recipes! Love trying new ones
YAY Bonnie – so glad you think so!
creative inspiring receipes
Love many of your recipes