Leah Koenig – författare

A rich trove of contemporary global Jewish cuisine, featuring hundreds of stories and recipes for home cooks everywhereThe Jewish Cookbook is an inspiring celebration of the diversity and breadth of this venerable culinary tradition. A true fusion cuisine, Jewish food evolves constantly to reflect the changing geographies and ingredients of its cooks. Featuring more than 400 home-cooking recipes for everyday and holiday foods from the Middle East to the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa - as well as contemporary interpretations by renowned chefs including Yotam Ottolenghi, Michael Solomonov, and Alex Raij - this definitive compendium of Jewish cuisine introduces readers to recipes and culinary traditions from Jewish communities the world over, and is perfect for anyone looking to add international tastes to their table.

A leading authority on Jewish food, Leah Koenig celebrates la cucina Ebraica Romana within the pages of her new cookbook. Portico: Cooking and Feasting in Rome’s Jewish Kitchen features over 100 deeply flavourful recipes and beautiful photographs of Rome’s Jewish community, the oldest in Europe. The city’s Jewish residents have endured many hardships, including 300 years of persecution inside the Roman Jewish Ghetto. Out of this strife grew resilience, a deeply knit community and a uniquely beguiling cuisine. Today, the community thrives on Via del Portico d’Ottavia (the main road in Rome’s Ghetto)—and beyond.Leah Koenig’s recipes showcase the cuisine’s elegantly understated vegetables, saucy braised meats and stews, rustic pastas, resplendent olive oil–fried foods and never-too-sweet desserts. Home cooks can explore classics of the Roman Jewish repertoire with Stracotto di Manzo (a wine-braised beef stew), Pizza Ebraica (fruit-and-nut-studded bar cookies) and of course, Carciofi alla Giudia, the quintessential Jewish-style fried artichokes. A standout chapter on fritters—showcasing the unique gift Roman Jews have for delicate frying—includes sweet honey-soaked matzo fritters, fried salt cod and savoury potato pastries (burik) introduced by the thousands of Libyan Jews who immigrated to Rome in the 1960s and ’70s. Every recipe is masterfully tailored to the home cook, while maintaining the flavour and integrity of tradition. Suggested menus for feasts round out the usability and flexibility of these dishes.

The dessert table is the star of any Jewish gathering: sprinkle cookies and honey cake, airy meringues and flaky rugelach, sweets brimming with tender apples and bright pops of pomegranate. Eager to bring extra sweetness to all our tables, Leah Koenig takes us on a tour through the 2,000-year-old tradition of Jewish sweets. She shares recipes and stories from historic Jewish communities in Venice, Syria and Curaçao; home bakers from Hungary and Poland; and up-and-coming diaspora bakeries across the United States. Her 100 all-new recipes include creative takes on familiar favourites like Chai-Spiced Cheesecake or Chocolate Turtle Babka, and lesser-known gems, such as a lush Orange and Almond Cake and Fluffy Apricot Jam Doughnuts. Beloved for her well-researched storytelling and clear, encouraging directions, Koenig energises the dessert canon as no one else can.Leah Koenig’s Portico (9780393868012) was praised as:“[F]rom its typeface to its photography, [Portico is] a classy, beautiful volume that feels upscale but approachable (read: your mother would approve).” – Adam Rothbarth, Vice“A gorgeous, heartfelt book that shines light on a uniquely delicious corner of Roman cuisine. A fascinating read—and a delight to cook from!” – Gwyneth Paltrow

The second elegant little book of Jewish culinary traditions, the Little Book of Jewish Feasts offers the perfect dishes to feature at the center of the table. Leah Koenig shares 25 globally inspired Jewish holiday main dishes that will satisfy and delight, from Balsamic and Brown Sugar Brisket to Poppy Seed Chicken Schnitzel to Wild Greens Pie. Building on traditional flavors with the innovative and modern interpretations that Leah is known for, the book features vibrant photographs of each of the showstopping recipes that embody the flavors of Jewish cuisine. With its charming package and delicious takes on the classics, as well as helpful tips for wine pairing and a primer on what to serve for each holiday in the Jewish calendar, this book is sure to bring joy to any celebration.