The latest Phaidon exploration of cooking and culture is The Jewish Cookbook (Phaidon, $49.95), by Leah Koenig, author of several highly praised books, including Modern Jewish Cooking. Her latest work has all of the Jewish recipes you’d expect: gefilte fish, latkes, dumplings, and kugels, as well as many dishes influenced by a wide range of international tastes, reflecting the diverse population of contemporary Jewry. This diasporic quality comes through in recipes from Morocco to Mexico, as well as one for Groundnut Stew, from the Abayudaya, a small Jewish community in Eastern Uganda. The sheer volume of recipes Koenig has gathered makes this a stand-out collection. In addition, the dishes are clearly labeled for readers who want specifically vegetarian, vegan, dairy, or gluten free foods, making this a handy and reliable reference.
