By Lynn Kirsche Shapiro
Food, Family, and Tradition: Hungarian Kosher Family Recipes and Remembrances by Lynn Kirsche Shapiro, a daughter of holocaust survivors, contains more than 150 original family recipes with full-color photographs. But on an equal footing with these authentic recipes are the stories which motivated Lynn to write the book. Through the first half of the book she shares her family history, which is a Holocaust story. Through photos, diagrams, handwritten letters, maps, etc., she recounts the lives of her father and mother, Sandor and Margit Kirsche (founders of Chicago's iconic Hungarian Kosher Foods, the largest all-kosher supermarket in the Midwest).
"The voice of her family, one family becomes the voice of many who lived in that time and place. And their survival becomes a testament to the courage and resilience of all Survivors who had the courage and strength to rebuild their lives.
"My hope is that through my family's stories you will see a picture of the community that was suddenly and brutally extinguished, the dedication to Jewish law that was solid and resilient, and the warmth of the Jewish community. I hope that through these centuries-old recipes you will get a taste of the culinary tradition of the Jews in Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Finally, I hope that you will feel the dedication of the Holocaust survivors—those who remained in Europe, those who went to Israel and those who came to the States."
The recipes are more than just traditional dishes; they are each heirlooms reflecting a time that was. And a way of life. They reflect one family's determination and eventual success to remake themselves and create meaningful lives.
Lynn shares memories and recipes from the families of other Holocaust survivors too. The book as well as the recipes are "haimische", extremely personal and quite touching. Each recipe offers an intimate glimpse into a time gone by, but each has been updated and clarified for a contemporary kitchen.
As the author knows well, the language of food is one way to hold on to a heritage and identity, binding generations and connecting past with present.
On a special note, we wish Lynn's mother Margit, who is now 91, a Shana Tova, a year of good health and happy cooking!
Try these recipes from Food, Family and Tradition.
Hungarian Goulash, Gulyas
Cheese Danish, Deltelach
Sweet Yeast Dough
Cookbook Giveaway - A winner will be randomly chosen.
Food, Family and Tradition: Hungarian Kosher Family Recipes and Remembrances
Giveaway limited to continental U.S. only. If not living in continental U.S, you can still enter and, if selected, "gift" your prize to a continental U.S. friend or relative. The winner will be notified by email. Once notified, the winner must respond within 48 hours or the prize will be awarded to the runner-up.
This fabulous giveaway ended at 11:59PM, November 4, 2014. The lucky winner Rena Einzig, Atlanta, GA.