The start of a new year is a great time to consult “52 Shabbats,” a cookbook featuring a year-long Friday night dinners. The Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana) would be the most appropriate kick-off – that’s where the book starts with the seasonal chapters – but it wasn’t published until this month, so here we are. The author explains Shabbat, kosher food, and the Jewish communities around the world that inspired the recipes, many with the elaborate spices or spice blends typical of places like Ethiopia, India, and Mexico. Most recipes are for main dishes (especially chicken and pot roast), but there are also side dishes, desserts, base dishes and menu suggestions. A chicken and vegetable tagine, Indian-inspired fish cakes and fritters made from leftover challah are worth saving.
“52 Shabbats: Friday Night Dinners Inspired by a Global Jewish Cuisine” by Faith Kramer (The Collective Book Studio, $32.50).
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