Are you a Susie Fishbein fan? She’s everywhere, right? It seems like whenever I compliment a Shabbat host on a particularly tasty dish, I invariably hear the same response, “Oh thanks! It’s from a Susie Fishbein cookbook!”
The hugely popular author of the Kosher by Design cookbook series, Susie Fishbein is one seriously prolific writer. Since her first cookbook launched in 2003, she has authored six more. Her newest book, set to hit the stores later this month, is called Kosher by Design for Teens & 20-Somethings.
Well, imagine my delight when Susie’s publicity folks emailed me and asked me to review her newest book on my blog. Of course I said YES! My advance copy arrived a week ago, and since then I’ve been pouring over the recipes with my husband and two sons — they may not be teenagers yet, but sure do eat like it!
I asked each of them to pick out one recipe for me to make. So far, I’ve made the Broccoli Quiche (p. 152), and served it with Parmesean Quinoa (p. 175), at the request of my five year-old; the Spinach & Shells (p. 144), for my seven year old; and Fish Tacos (p. 140) is on the menu tonight for my husband.
As you know, we eat almost exclusively vegetarian during the week, but Teens & 20-Somethings has a number of yummy-looking fleisch recipes I’m eager to try out as well, including the Schwarma Chicken (p. 98) and the Southwest Rotisserie Chicken Wraps (p. 94), which look perfect for using up Shabbat left-overs.
Now that I’ve done a bit of cooking and a lot of reading from Teens & 20-Somethings, let me tell you what I think about the cookbook:
- I love that there are full-color, mouth-watering pictures of every single dish — a Susie Fishbein trademark. When it comes to picking out what’s for dinner or dessert, a picture definitely says 1,000 words!
- The book does a great job of offering a diverse selection of recipes — from starters and munchies to worth-breaking-the-diet-for-desserts (I can not wait to try her Molten Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Cookies (p. 214).
- I also like that the recipes range from the more familiar — ideal for the novice cook — to the more adventuresome — perfect for someone looking to advance their skills.
- The majority of her recipes are very straight-forward, with fewer than 10 ingredients and just a couple of steps. That’s because the recipes were “designed for young people in a minimally equipped kitchen – like a dorm room or a first apartment,” says Susie.
- While I may not be a “young person” (waaah), I am all about quick-and-easy. Especially since someone is usually crying, whining or bleeding while I’m trying to make dinner. In other words: You don’t have to be a teenager to appreciate this cookbook!
On the other hand…
- Maybe it’s just me, but I’m a bit confused by the cover design (see the picture above). At first I thought it was an etrog, but then my husband said he thinks it’s a squash. Either way, why is it wearing headphones? And sunglasses?! Jammin’ produce just seems more preschool than high school to me, but hey, I’m sure these folks did their market research. And besides, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, right?
- I wasn’t kidding when I said that my kids eat like teenagers, so the quiche that was meant to serve 8 was easily devoured by the four of us. Our piggishness aside, I suggest that you check her serving recommendations, especially if you are cooking with/for hungry teenagers!
Despite these minor critiques, I’m sure Susie’s latest cookbook will be a big hit. In fact, I’m guessing you wouldn’t mind getting your hands on a copy of it, too — especially if you can get a good deal on it, right?!
Well, guess what? You can! Use the coupon code KBDBLOG to get free shipping AND a 10% discount on Kosher by Design: Teens & 20-Somethings when you order from the Artscroll website. You may want to throw a few other things into your cart, too, since the discount code & free shipping apply to your whole order.
{I’m sure the Artscroll people aren’t going to be happy with me for this, but I feel compelled to tell you — since I am a frugal blogger and all — that you should compare prices on Amazon. Especially if you’ve got a free Prime membership. Just sayin’.}
Or… you could just win a free copy of the cookbook right here on my blog! (Isn’t FREE everybody’s favorite price?) I’ll be filling you in on all the details of the giveaway later today, so stay tuned.
Kosher by Design Teens & 20-Somethings: Cooking for the Next Generation is aimed at the young and digital-savvy fast-food generation and those who cook for them. Susie Fishbein is an everyday cook who loves to share her passion for cooking and entertaining with friends and family. Her enthusiasm for food and entertaining led to the creation of her best-selling cookbook, Kosher by Design, published in 2003 by ArtScroll Shaar Press. For more recipes and updates, please visit the KBD blog.
Disclosure: Artscroll has provided me and the winner of my giveaway with free copies of the book. I was not compensated in any other way for my review and I was not paid to publish positive comments. My opinions are very much my own.
It’s a squash. Did you see the video I posted about kids not being able to identify veggies? 🙂
Yeah, yeah! In my defense, it was right after Sukkot when I got my copy and I had etrogs on the brain!
Score one for the husband and his knowledge of veggies!!!
I have 2 granddaughters in Israel who are doing their National Service. The government gives them an apartment and even cleans it for them, but they have to do all their own cooking. They also live with at least 6 other girls. Wouldn’t they be surprised to receive Susie Fishbein’s latest cookbook written just for them. They try very hard to come up with good food, but the pictures in the cook book will certainly whet their appetite along with encouraging their creativity. Their mother is a very good cook as well as their grandmother – LOL. Please pick me so my granddaughters won’t go hungry. PLEASE!!!!