Get excited about our new series on Jewish Foods from expert Emily Paster! From beef brisket to matzoh ball soup, there’s something for everyone.
Brisket, matzoh ball soup, and kosher dill pickles – what do these dishes all have in common? They are all considered Jewish food. Whether you come from a Jewish family yourself, love a good Jewish deli, or don’t know much about Jewish food at all, this new series on Jewish food is for you.
Jewish food has become trendy lately as evidenced by the rise in new delis, Middle Eastern restaurants, and Jewish-themed cookbooks. Artisanal Jewish delis are popping up all over the country, including The Mile End Deli and Shelsky’s of Brooklyn in New York, Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen in San Francisco, and Kenny and Zuke’s in Portland, Oregon. The few delis and appetizing stores that date back to the early twentieth century are more popular than ever and some, such as the Lower East Side’s iconic Russ & Daughters, have even expanded their operations.
At the same time, Middle Eastern cuisine is reaching a new and broader audience with the popularity of restaurants and award-winning cookbooks by Israeli-born chefs Yotam Ottolenghi, Michael Solomanov, and Einat Admony. New Jewish-themed cookbooks on a wide range of topics appear every year and some have even become best sellers. In short, Jewish food is having a moment.
Some Jewish foods, like bagels and matzoh ball soup, have crossed over into the mainstream of American cuisine and are barely even thought of as Jewish any more. Others remain more strongly associated with their Jewish origins, but are becoming better known in the broader culture, like gorgeously swirled chocolate babka, which seems to be made for sharing on social media.
Jewish food has been my passion ever since I was a little girl enjoying big holiday meals with my extended family. As a writer and recipe developer, I have been able to explore Jewish cuisine more in depth and learn about some of the different culinary traditions in the Jewish diaspora. Sharing these foods, and the stories behind them, has been the focus of my career in food. I am delighted now to share some of my favorite Jewish recipes with you.
In this series, you will learn the history behind some of the most iconic and beloved Jewish foods, what holidays they are associated with, and, most importantly, how to make them in your own kitchen. This series will include recipes for main dishes, starters and sides, and even delectable baked goods. But this is only an introduction to Jewish food. It is my hope that these recipes inspire you to dig even deeper and learn more about the varied and exciting world of Jewish cuisine.
Enjoy! – Emily
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