Spice and Spirit: The Complete Kosher Jewish Cookbook

by Tzuvia Emmer (editor), Tzipora Reitman (Editor)

This cookbook is a staple in most Jewish Homes!
Keeping kosher and celebrating the Jewish holidays receive an added, joyful dimension, with practical guidelines interwoven with spiritual insights into many aspects of Jewish life and observance. Recipes range from traditional favorites such as blintzes and chicken soup to Szechuan chicken, aduki-squash soup and many other international, gourmet and natural specialties. All in a clear, easy-to-use format with helpful symbols and numerous charts and illustrations. This cookbook is a staple in most Jewish homes!

Genres: Cookbooks, Jewish, Judaism, Cooking, Food

575 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1990

Reviews

[Rivkah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the essential cookbook for every kosher cook (at least Ashkenazi cook). Every basic recipe is in here, and it also has a nice section that explains kosher priciples, and a section that explains each holiday, including menu ideas and the traditional foods for that holiday.

I purchase this cookbook for new brides constantly, and I always get a really warm thank you a few months after they get married, when they've had a chance to use it for a while. I also have a few "signature" recipes that are from this cookbook, such as Spiced String Beans, and the Rice and Mushroom casserole.

You can also tell which cake recipe I like the most....the cookbook automatically opens to that page, as it has cocoa embedded in the page ;).

There are several editions of this cookbook, as it's been re-printed at least 15 times. My edition was printed around 1994. The edition from around the late 70s was also really good, and my sisters and I are convinced that the chocolate cake recipe from that edition was better than the one in our editions of the book. If I ever find the edition that my mother has for sale, I'll be purchasing several copies!

[Elise Cohen]

"Commonly referred to as ""the big purple one,"" and found in almost every Orthodox cookbook collection in America today, this compendium is quite far-reaching. If you want recipes for kugels, kishkes, hamantaschen, challahs, and more esoteric specialties, look here. The challah recipes are not perfect, but there is an extensive section on the religious laws involved in baking breads. The cake and cookie sections are quite extensive, as are the vegetable selections. Meats, poultry, and fish are well-covered, with traditional and non-traditional choices offered."

[Rishona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I don't cook, so I can't really attest for the recipes. I love the beginning section though....that discusses kashrut and managing a kosher kitchen. Written from the Lubavitch perspective, so a bit machmir. But it's always a bit better to be strict when it comes to keeping kosher!

[CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the world's best guacamole recipe from this cookbook, and had one of the best ever sweet and sour chicken recipes that someone prepared from this book. Their Moroccan chicken is also good, and their challah (bread) recipe is wonderful, if you're into white bread. (Good luck with the braiding, though--I've never been able to get that part down.) I recommend this book, regardless of ethnicity--there are so many excellent dishes, both main dishes and sides. it is especially good for anyone who is lactose intolerant and/or vegetarian, since Jewish people aren't supposed to eat meat and dairy in the same meal--so dishes are either/ or, and the ones in this book are delicious either way.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must have. It's classic Jewish cooking - a dear friend gave it to me when I got married and I think of her whenever I use it. I love the cream cheese pie, honey whole wheat challah and mocha frosting recipes.

[Seone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this book for all my holiday baking and I've never had a recipe go wrong. It has every traditional recipe you could want!

[Sara Horwitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for every home, kosher or not. It has all you need to make a traditional life for yor family. Great bridal gift too!