Esther Levy - The First Jewish-American Cookbook

Bibliographical Note

This Dover edition, first published in 2004, is an unabridged republication of the work originally published in 1871 by W. S. Turner, Philadelphia, under the title, Jewish Cookery Book, on Principles of Economy, Adapted for Jewish Housekeepers, with the Addition of Many Useful Medicinal Recipes, and Other Valuable Information, Relative to Housekeeping and Domestic Management. For the convenience of the reader, a Table of Contents has been added to this edition on .

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Levy, Esther.

[Jewish cookery book]

The first Jewish-American cookbook (1871) / Mrs. Esther Levy.

p. cm.

Originally published under title: Jewish cookery book. Philadelphia : W.S. Turner, 1871.

Includes index.

eISBN 13: 978-0-486-80454-5

1. Cookery, Jewish. I. Title.

TX724.L4 2004
641.5676dc22

2004050193

Manufactured in the United States of America
Dover Publications, Inc., 31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, N.Y. 11501

A COOKERY BOOK PROPERLY EXPLAINED, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF THE JEWISH RELIGION.

ON

PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMY,

ADAPTED FOR ,

JEWISH HOUSEKEEPERS,

WITH THE ADDITION OF MANY USEFUL MEDICINAL RECIPES,

AND

OTHER VALUABLE INFORMATION,

RELATIVE TO HOUSEKEEPING AND DOMESTIC MANAGEMENT.

B Y MRS. ESTHER LEVY,
(Ne Esther Jacobs.)

PHILADELPHIA :
W. S. TURNER, No. 808 CHESTNUT STREET.
1871.

, line 14, for an hour read a half-hour.

, line 3, for the house must be thoroughly cleaned read the house must be found clean.

, line 10, for After the fish is well washed add and sprinkled with salt one hour before cooking.

, line 5, for Frimsel read Griebus.

, line 32, Ox Tail Soup, for ushered read coshered.

, line 16, in Ice Cake, for flour read sugar.

, line 19, Butter Cakes, for ground rice read ground almonds.

, line 31, Ground Rice Cake, for cinnamon read almonds.

, line 28, Macaroons, for four ounces of ground almonds read one pound of ground almonds.

, line 5, German Puffs, after quart of milk add four ounces of butter.

As every book appears incomplete without a preface, we will say a few words to the Jewish public. Having undertaken the present work with the view of proving that, without violating the precepts of our religion, a table can be Spread, which will satisfy the appetites of the most fastidious. Some have, from ignorance, been led to believe that a repast, to be sumptuous, must unavoidably admit of forbidden food. We do not venture too much when we assert that our writing clearly refutes that false notion. The contents of our Book show how various and how grateful to the taste are the viands of which we may lawfully partake. We submit it to the attention of our sisters in faith. From the days of our mother, Sarahwhen her husband bids her make cakes for his celestial guestsJewesses have not disdained attending to culinary matters. Indeed, one of the qualities attributed to the model woman of the book of Proverbs is, that she riseth while it is yet night and giveth provision to her household. We of the present age may not be quite so industrious, but we cannot be charged with being dilatory in doing that which contributes to the comfort of our families.

That the ability to cook well, and to present our aliment in different ways, is calculated to preserve the health and to embrace the pleasures of home, cannot possibly be denied. We have labored to further that most desirable object. And if, together with the directions we have given in a material point of view, those also will be heeded which we have offered regarding the observance of some of our practices, we trust that our efforts will redound to the spiritual welfare of our co-religionists, and secure for ourselves their kind approbation.

The want of a work of this description has long been felt in our domestic circles. I will first endeavor to give some information as to the manner of strictly keeping a Jewish house. We must have on the door posts, the name of the God of Israel, written on parchment, in Hebrew, viz.: two passages from Deuteronomy, in which the unity of God and the reward or punishment attending our actions are taught; the first commencing with the words: Hear, 0 Israel; the second, and it shall come to pass if you will hearken diligently, etc. We must observe to have the meat coshered and porged by a butcher, that is, to take out the veins and sinews, which are prohibited. Then lay the meat in cold water for an hour, afterwards on a perforated board, sprinkling salt on all sides, for about an hour. It must remain there in order to draw out the blood forbidden to our people, after which it must be rinsed under the hydrant, and wiped with a cloth; likewise, all the utensils used for that purpose must be well rinsed.

We must have the Sabbath food prepared on Friday; and it is customary to break off a piece of the dough of two loaves, which are made in commemoration of an ancient offering, and burn it, accompanying the action with a blessing. At sundown the Sabbath lamps must be lighted with a special blessing.

In every rank of life, those deserve the greatest praise who best acquit themselves of the duties which their stations in life require. Indeed, apart from any advantage we may desire, we should try to be equal to the task that nature seems to have imposed on us, in order that we may maintain the dignity of our character as rational beings. It frequently occurs that before impressions of duty are made on the mind, ornamental education commences, and it ever after takes the lead. Thus, what should be only an embellishment, becomes the main business of life. There is no opportunity for attaining a knowledge of family management at school, and during vacation all subjects that might interfere with amusement are avoided. The direction of a table is no inconsiderable branch of a ladys business, as it involves judgment in expenditure, respectability of appearance, the comfort of ones household, and of those who partake of the hospitality thereof.

In carving, some people haggle meat so much as not to be able to help half a dozen persons decently from a large joint or tongue. If the daughters of the family were to take the head of the table, under the direction of their mother, they would fulfil its duties with grace, in the same easy manner as an early practice in other domestic duties gradually fits them for their fulfilment in after years. Habit alone can make good carvers. If a lady has never been accustomed, while single, to think of family management, let her not upon that account fear that she cannot attain it. She may consult others who are more experienced, and acquaint herself with the necessary quantity of the several articles of family expenditure, in proportion to the number it consists of, the proper prices to pay, etc.