Shannon Sarna

Comfort food varies from person to person, family to family, region to region. As the author of Modern Jewish Baker and editor of The Nosher, Shannon Sarna has always wanted to tell the story of the Jewish people through food and continues to do so here in her latest book. Modern Jewish Comfort Food showcases recipes and variations that have shaped Jewish cuisine from around the world—including immigration waves from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, New York City and beyond. Sarna shares many traditional dishes, and then provides exciting variations that will bring heartwarming comfort to the home kitchen. Her Basic Tomato & Pepper Shakshuka is cleverly interpreted into a deep-dish pizza; Classic Potato Latkes invite vegetable-focused variations such as Beet & Carrot and Summer Corn Zucchini; and a multitude of dumplings reflect the range of the Jewish diaspora. Sweets include two kinds of Israeli-Style Yeasted Rugelach, Funfetti Macaroons and more—ready to complete the holiday dessert table. Modern Jewish Comfort Food will inspire home cooks to connect to Jewish foodways and explore the history of this diverse cuisine.

Jewish baking has brought families together around the table for centuries. In Modern Jewish Baker, Shannon Sarna pays homage to traditions while reinvigorating them with modern flavours and new ideas. One kosher dough at a time, she offers the basics for challah, babka, bagels, hamantaschen, rugelach, pita and matzah. Recipes include: Chocolate Chip Hamantaschen, Tomato-Basil Challah and S’mores Babka. Detailed instructions, as well as notes on make-ahead strategies, ideas for using leftovers and other tips will have even novice bakers braiding beautiful loaves that will make any bubbe proud.