52 Shabbats: Friday Night Dinners Inspired by a Global Jewish Kitchen

A year's worth of Friday night meals featuring recipes from Jewish traditions around the world come presented with historical insights, cultural connections, and tips on making the weekly observance something special.

Faith Kramer, a California food journalist, starts her year of recipes with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, offering up classic dishes as well as her own thoughtful hybrids. Each recipe is accompanied by suggestions of other dishes in the book that would help round out a meal, and the recipes themselves are carefully written to reassure anyone tackling something new.

While it's easy to find staple dishes such as roast chickens and pot roasts, Kramer also includes recipes from a full range of kosher practices, including tamales made with schmaltz instead of lard, barbecued flanken with flavors of lemongrass and ginger, and South Indian-inspired fish cakes with coconut-cilantro chutney.

An attractively fresh approach to an ancient tradition.

Hardcover. Color photographs throughout.