The Covenant Kitchen

Book excerpt: Filled with the flavors of Italy, Provence, North Africa, Asia, California, and Israel, these original, easy-to-prepare recipes for appetizers, salads, soups, side dishes, main courses, and desserts take kosher dining to a new, upscale level. With more than two decades of professional food-writing and wine-making experience, Jeff and Jodie Morgan share their favorite recipes and-in a first for a kosher cookbook-detailed suggested wine pairings, to give us a cookbook that respects Jewish customs, gives traditional food creative culinary makeovers, and introduces flavorful new dishes that will quickly become family favorites. The Covenant Kitchen includes informative sidebars on how to select the right wine for any occasion, on the requirements for kosher food preparation, and on how to prepare the basics (chicken stock, vegetable stock, mayonnaise, pesto sauce). Also included are sample menus for Jewish holidays throughout the year-from Braised Beef Short Ribs with Root Vegetables and Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes for the Passover Seder to Latkes with Sour Cream, Green Onions, and Masago for Chanukah to Mocha Cheesecake for Shavuot-and the fascinating story of wine production and consumption in ancient Israel and throughout Jewish history. With more than 75 beautiful, full-color food and wine-country photographs, The Covenant Kitchen puts a fresh spin on one of the world's oldest culinary traditions. It will be a delicious addition to any kitchen bookshelf. (With full-color illustrations throughout)