NEW YORK, March 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dishes for Passover are meant to be passed around and passed down. And at most tables on Monday, March 25th, Jewish families will be passing around traditional recipes dating back generations. But not Kim Kushner. She's taking a different route. Without making too much of a fuss, Kushner, author, culinary instructor and mom to three picky palates, likes her food modern and honest. Ingredients speak for themselves, and in her kitchen, things tend to taste as good as they look and look as good as they taste. Partnering with renowned photographer and friend Andrew Zuckerman, Kushner's book, "The Modern Menu: Simple. Beautiful. Kosher" (Gefen, $ 39.99 HC, $21.95 PB), sets the tone for a modernist kosher revolution.
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"Kosher cooking doesn't have to be about 'the kosher'. It should be more about the cooking. It's not about what you can or can't eat. It's about the simplicity of it," says Kushner. "I'm inspired by certain traditional kosher dishes but I am not afraid to try new ideas and more importantly, I always try and achieve a more thoughtful dish, not a perfectly prepared one."
A member of a large, extended, food-loving family, Kushner learned early on that food is an integral part of coming together. As Passover draws closer and plans are made to gather around the table to reflect and share stories, this year's celebrations can be modern, with fresh appetizers and salads to compliment traditional dishes. The Modern Menu is a study in inspiring, unusual flavor combinations that are sure to create a memorable meal, whether for an intimate dinner or larger gathering.
Gingered Butternut Squash + Sweet Potatoes offers a contrasting creamy texture and sharpness – a combination that often surprises those who taste it. Kosher and delicious, this flavorful dish will be a welcome addition to any Passover spread. A lesson in minimalism, Kushner demonstrates that home chefs don't need to go crazy to get a lot out of a dish – less is always more.
| Gingered Butternut Squash + Sweet Potatoes |
| Serves 8 |
| 1 Large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 2-inch wedges |
| 4 Sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch wedges |
| 3 Yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced |
| 1 (4-inch) piece ginger, peeled and julienned |
| 5 Tablespoons olive oil |
| 1 Tablespoon kosher salt |
| ½ Tablespoon freshly ground black pepper |
| Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. |
| In a large bowl, combine the squash, sweet potatoes, onions, ginger, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together until the wedges are evenly coated. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. |
| Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 300°F and bake for an additional 90 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 200°F and bake 1 hour longer. |
| The potatoes and squash should be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. If you are not serving this dish immediately, keep in the oven, with the oven turned off until serving. |
About the Author: Kim Kushner was raised in Montreal and now lives in New York. She learned to cook by eating, and by participating in family feasts. Hands-on experience with fresh and international ingredients gave Kushner an edge when she began her studies at the prestigious Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan, where she excelled in their Professional Culinary Program. Her culinary style, much like her life, is a study in Modern Orthodoxy: her kitchen is Kosher, and very much in line with her upbringing and heritage. For Kushner, food is tangible and social; the effort you put into it comes back to you many times over, in the form of friendships, health, flattery, and fun. The feedback she loves getting most from her clients is that they were not only inspired to try her recipes at home, but to make some changes to them is proof to her that she's right: anyone can cook, and everyone should cook. www.kimkushner.com
Andrew Zuckerman: Noted filmmaker and photographer, Andrew Zuckerman, utilizes a multitude of platforms to produce his work. Zuckerman studied at the International Center of Photography before going on to receive his BFA from the School of Visual Arts. His books include CREATURE (2007), WISDOM (2008), BIRD (2009), MUSIC (2010), and FLOWER (2012). www.andrewzuckerman.com
Gefen Publishing House publishes and prints more than 30 original books in Israel each year. Subjects are diverse and include a wide variety of themes – fiction and nonfiction, among them biblical commentary, Israeli historical novels, Holocaust memoirs, Multilanguage dictionaries, Haggadot, Cookbooks, and award-winning children's books. We publish books that represent all aspects of Israel, the Holy Land, and the Jewish people. www.GefenPublishing.com.
| Modern Menu |
| Hardcover / Price: $39.95 / ISBN 978 9652296115 |
| Paperback / Price: $21.95 / ISBN 978-965-229-6320 |
For media inquiries, interview requests, and review copies, please contact Andrea Burnett at 650-207-0917 or by emailing andrea@andreaburnett.com.
The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.
