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'The Jewish Heritage Cookbook'
Recipes by Marlena Spieler
Photographs by William Lingwood
Lorenz Books -- 2004
Buy It on Amazon

A rebuke to those whose idea of Jewish cooking is limited to such gut-busting fare as kugel and knishes, "The Jewish Heritage Cookbook" is an eye-opening and mouthwatering survey of the traditions and recipes of the global Jewish Diaspora. While the more recognizable stalwarts of Ashkenazi (or Eastern European) Jewish cooking do get their due (there are no less than six recipes for kugel), Spieler also dedicates ample space to the foods of the Sephardim, Jews who settled in Spain, Portugal and North Africa, paying particular attention to the rich culinary heritage of Moroccan Jews.

Spieler also provides plenty of context for her recipes: a lengthy introduction delves into the history of Jewish migration across the globe, dietary traditions and laws, the culinary significance of various holidays, and the definitions and usage of traditional foods and ingredients. Spieler's book is as much reference guide as cookbook -- not only will you learn how to make something like like lamb with globe artichokes, you'll also learn about the significance of artichokes to the Italian Jews who created the dish.

See what we tested and whether it's worth buying after the jump.