"Cooking Jewish" cookbook reveiw

I am part of "Cookbooks EtCetera" which is a Yahoo group for cookbook collectors. We discuss all things cookbooks. A few years ago a bunch of us got together in LA at a "convention" to meet in person, shop, discuss all things cookbooks, raise money for a charity, etc. At the convention Judy Bart Kancigor discussed the creation of her book "Melting Pot Memories". This started as a family cookbook. Now this cookbook has developed into "Cooking Jewish" by Judy Bart Kancigor and is published by Workman Publishing.

I wasn't sure what a "Jewish" cookbook would entail. I was pleasantly surprised! The beginning of the book talks about the family members who contributed recipes, the histroy of the family and what cooking kosher is. Each recipe tells who contributed it and gives some sort of description of when it would have been served, how it became a favorite in the family, etc. Interspersed through the book are family pictures in sepia tones and quotes from family members. There are no pictures of the food.

As usual I always look for the chocolate recipes in a cookbook. Judy's cookbook did not disappoint. A couple of the chocolate recipes include: sour cream chocolate cake, chocolate buttercream, banana chocolate chip cake, german chocolate pie, gloria kemer's chocolate bohemian cookies and many more mouth-watering treats. Which one to try first??

I love this book for the history and background it provides in addition to the wonderful recipes.