Susie Fishbein's 'Kosher by Design Cooking Coach' Perfect for Holiday Gifts

Susie Fishbein has done it again -- another suberbly photographed kosher cookbook that will make you want to lick the pages. This installment in her "Kosher by Design" cookbook series is designed to help make those who can't even boil water look like a pro.

"Kosher by Design Cooking Coach" (Mesorah Publications, Ltd., 2012) is subtitled "Recipes, tips and techniques to make anyone a better cook." That's a lot to live up to and Fishbein delivers. She breaks down complex tasks into manageable bites and explains some of the basics -- knives you will need and how to sharpen them, basic knife cuts, how to dice an onion, the need for different cutting boards to prevent cross-contamination, the various types of food processors, blenders and stand mixers.

She goes on to explain thermometers and their differences, basic cooking vessels and utensils, scales, how to stock a kitchen and then she's off and running with superb recipes for appetizers, soups, salads, poultry, meat, fish, pasta, eggs, and desserts. She has upped the ante on some tried-and true dishes like vegetarian cabbage rolls and gone global with beef tostados and tomato tarte tatin, among others.

Need a gift for newlyweds or anyone setting up housekeeping for the first time? Forget the old standby gift of "The Joy of Cooking" (although that is often my go-to book). Susie Fishbein's "Cooking Coach" is poised to usurp that spot.

The best part is you don't have to keep kosher or even be Jewish, for that matter, to appreciate and enjoy Fishbein's recipes.

They are globally inspired and delicious. Consider these:

• Sweet Spaghetti Squash Kugel Recipe
  
  
• Raspberry Mustard-Crusted Chicken recipe
  
  
• Lamb Shanks with Cherries and Port recipe

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