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.
Dying to try the potato kugel with smoked meat.
Can’t wait to see it! So psyched!
Would love to win. Joy of Kosher website is the first place I look when I need a recipe. When will the next Joy of Israel video be out?
I can’t wait to get your new book.i have your first two and subscribe to your magazine
Looks yummy! Can’t wait to see it!
Everything looks amazing! Can’t wait for the book to come out!
Love getting your recipes on Facebook and would love to win your new cookbook.
I give your cookbook as a vort present. How about a local Israel raffle? Any chance you would do a night for Melabev?
Very good Q – this one is organized like a traditional cookbook and specifically for use as an easy reference guide for meal/menu planning. Chapters are Soups & Starters, Sides & Salads, Mains, Desserts, Challah. And all recipes are grouped together and clearly labeled as Meat, Dairy, Pareve
The pictures look great! I can’t wait to see the full color photos in the book!
Well get the book and you too can eat it all!!! Really though thanks Deborah so much!
thanks Rena so much!
depends what “they” are picky about — give more details and I can list a few recipes “they” might like
Gee – I want to eat everything you have pictured. Congratulations on the upcoming release of your 3rd book.
How exciting! Can’t wait to see it when it’s out!
Are there recipes for picky eaters in the new book
It’s a goodie – was almost the cover of the book!!!
Every thing, especially the Moroccan Chicken! Yum!
Hi! I noticed that in your last cookbook you organized your recipes in a non- traditional wat by the amount if time things take to make. What inspired you to do that? Will the new book be organized in the same way?
oh Ale thank you!!!! means so much to me to have your support!
I can’t wait for this, I am so excited especially after following everything you have been doing in preparing for the cookbook!
Then this was written for you Gail!
Oh Alli so so so very happy you found us! Hug and kiss that friend of yours/ours. Shana Tova!
OH THANK YOU!!!! So happy you like the menus! We really appreciate the feedback! Shana Tova!
Can’t wait to get Joy of Kosher and try out more of your great recipes. I really enjoy your holiday menus on the site. Thanks!
TY!!!!!!!!!! XO!
totally – can you believe I haven’t celebrated yet?!
Oh cool! Thank the person who got it for you – from me!!! Great luck!
Oh Avigail this book is all about those moments – I worked so hard to deliver more of what you love — it’s my favorite part to write too!
thanks Alison!
couldn’t agree more!
oh yay so happy you enjoyed! wasn’t sure what to ask myself exactly…
oh BabsToo so thankful and so happy and wishing you luck! and know that we will have lots more giveaways to celebrate the new book!
we do!!! good luck!
they taste even more gorgeous than they look!
Wow Ben – you make all of us here at JoK.com SOOOOO happy!!!
Thanks LeahK!
Thanks Simcha me too!
Amy – you are such a supporter I LOVE IT – THANK YOU!
Thank you Taylor! BTW my mom’s nickname for me is “Taylor” – lol don’t ask, but I LOVE you name!
And Mazal tov!!!!
When are we celebrating in RBS?
I got your first cookbook for a present at my bridal shower and am excited for the new one!
Can’t wait to get your new book! I read cookbooks like novels.
I was speaking with a new friend about Rosh Hashanah and asking the big question “What’s on your menu?” and the conversation led me to this amazing website! I love food with meaning! I have now altered my menu and am excited to add new foods! I cannot wait to see my friend after Shabbat to tell her she is a dear friend now!
I like your books as reading material in addition to the recipes your side bars and notes are fun to flip through, sometimes when I’m taking a coffee break on an erev yom tov, I’ll flip through them for the stories 🙂
yay! congrats!
I would love to get this. The faster I can get food on the table, the faster until I relax & read my book! Thanks for the opportunity.
Can’t wait to try all the recipes in thus new book. Thanks for the great interview!
Of course there is :-)… but for that you have to buy the book! It’s my father’s and grandfather’s famous Deep Dish Potato “Kigel” Click here http://amzn.to/19RQxiB to order your copy on Amazon and get it the minute it is released!