Early Jewish Cookbooks: Essays on the History of Hungarian Jewish Gastronomy

The seven essays in this volume explore previously unexplored subjects such as the world's first cookbook printed in Hebrew letters, published in 1854, and a wonderful 19th-century Jewish cookbook published in Dutch in Rotterdam. The author reconstructs the history of bólesz, a legendary yeast pastry, and examines the influence of Jewish cuisine on non-Jewish food. The essays confirm that Hungarian Jewry was part of the Jewish life and culture of the Central European region before their almost total language shift by the turn of the 20th century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 20 June 2022
Publisher: Central European University Press

Winner of the Association of Jewish Libraries Judaica Bibliography Award in 2022, this captivating collection of seven essays delves into previously unexplored realms. The author's engaging narrative reconstructs the history of bólesz, a legendary yeast pastry that once graced a renowned but now-defunct Jewish coffeehouse in Pest. Additionally, he includes a modernized recipe for this distant relative of cinnamon rolls. Koerner also unveils the fascinating story of the first Jewish bookstore in Hungary, established as early as 1765, and explores how Jewish cuisine influenced non-Jewish culinary traditions.

In his latest work, Hungarian Jewish Culinary Culture: A Cultural History, published by CEU Press, András Koerner delves deeper into the rich tapestry of Hungarian Jewish culinary culture, offering a more scholarly and comprehensive perspective than what was previously possible due to space constraints. The present essays serve as a testament to the profound interconnectedness of Hungarian Jewry with the Jewish life and culture of the Central European region prior to their near-total language shift at the turn of the 20th century.

This captivating volume showcases Koerner's meticulous research and expertise, providing a valuable contribution to the field of Jewish culinary studies. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the diverse and fascinating culinary heritage of Hungary and its impact on the broader Jewish culinary world.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789633864296