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Divine™ Kosher Cuisine is the
product of a cooperative project at Congregation
Agudat Achim, a conservative synagogue located in
the upstate New York town of Niskayuna, near the
state capital of Albany .
The cookbook combines a unique collection of
recipes derived from congregants’ treasured family
contributions and Signature recipes from the
synagogue’s all-volunteer As You Like It Kosher
Catering service.
As You Like It is a top-notch, international
award-winning catering company so expert, that it
has catered kosher meals to visiting dignitaries
and diplomats at New York State Governor’s
Mansion, as well as for the New York State
Legislature. |
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Divine™ Kosher Cuisine was produced by
chefs/co-authors Risé Routenberg and Barbara Wasser,
working with recipe coordinator Arlene Mendelson,
writer/text-author Annette Keen, and photographer
Harvey Mendelson, and more than 150 volunteers.
The cookbook’s Kashrut Authority is Congregation
Agudat Achim’s Rabbi Robert Kasman.
Risé Routenberg and Barbara Wasser envisioned this
cookbook, drawing on their considerable personal
cooking experience and their many years as
co-chairpersons of As You Like It Kosher Catering.
A 12-person steering committee planned and executed
the many aspects of this most ambitious collaborative
congregational effort in the synagogue’s 113-year
history. All proceeds from the sale of Divine™ Kosher
Cuisine benefit educational programs at the synagogue. |
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Review
by
Norene Gilletz
The
hard-covered book is beautifully designed, with a
special layflat binding for easy use. There are over
200 color photographs that leap right off the
pages…and onto your plate (don't you wish)! The
fabulous photos, which were taken by congregant Harvey
Mendelson and styled by Rise and Barbara, are
extremely professional. Divine Kosher addresses all
aspects of cooking Kosher, confronts a variety of
culinary and dietary challenges and provides solutions
with a flair and confidence that will be appreciated
by both novice and gourmet cooks. The authors have
paid meticulous attention to every detail to create an
outstanding visual and culinary work of art. In fact,
the tapestry that hangs in the shul's lobby graces the
cover as well as every page of the book to provide a
visual feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
Divine
Kosher Cuisine brings Kosher cooking to the 21st
century, with recipes ranging from traditional to
trendy, plus many creative new spins on old favorites
for everyday, holidays or entertaining. Since both
Barbara and Rise have children who are vegetarians,
they've included a complete chapter of vegetarian
recipes and also offer many non-dairy substitutions
throughout the book. There are many recipes from
around the world as well as a signature dessert
section, with elegant endings for special occasions.
You'll find helpful hints, wine suggestions, table
settings, menu planning, a chapter on catering…in
short, something for everyone! There are two full menu
choices for each Jewish holiday, with alternatives.
Every recipe has a pareve, dairy, meat and/or Passover
designation. There are 130 recipes suitable for
Passover, and 70 of them are for non-gbrochts dishes
which are identified by the key Non-G. (Some
traditions prohibit foods that mix baked matzoh (or
matzoh by-products) with water, known as gbrocht
foods.)
The
best of the best include Greek Charoset, Signature
Whitefish, Apple Brie Soup, Potato Cheese Lasagna,
Grilled Chicken Breast with Tomato Salsa, Layered
Sweet Potatoes and Apples and Signature Almond Horns.
Here are some favorite Passover dishes recommended by
Rise and Barbara for your enjoyment. Chag Pesach
Sameach! |
