The Modern Jewish Baker
by Shannon Sarna
Published by Countryman Press
Shannon Sarna launched her career in the kitchen by necessity. She lost her mom at an early age (16) , and shared daily responsibilities for her younger siblings. Her baking career all started with her passion for making challah. Through multiple failures, like burnt challah and raw challah, she pursued her quest for the perfect challah…she tried and tried for years until she succeeded. (People even wanted to buy her loaves!). Over the years, she has expanded her challah baking to specialty baking including babka, bagels, rugelach, hamantashen, flatbreads & more—lots more. And, now she has taken the next step, and included her creations in a book!
The Modern Jewish Baker, her first cookbook, is the culmination of her baking journey. She presents a guidebook for successful baking, filled with personal anecdotes and easy to follow instructions. Her chapter on techniques, tools, toppings and fillings is a must read for any budding or experienced baker. We already made a batch of her “everything bagel topping” (sesame and poppy seeds, dried garlic and onion, salt and dried red pepper flakes), and we also made the babka crumb topping- it’s luscious.
Shannon’s creativity shines throughout the pages in the book- such as her birthday cake, tropical, s’mores and olive tapenade babka; pumpkin/chocolate rugelach and goat cheese rugelach. She shares basic, classic, traditional recipes and then adds a contemporary twist with trendy ingredients and surprising flavor combinations. The accompanying photos are beautiful.
We are sharing the recipe for Shannon’s rosemary garlic challah, from Modern Jewish Baker. To make this challah, we used fresh organic rosemary from our backyard garden. You will have fun as you bake through this book! Let your creative baking juices flow…
Shannon Sarna is the editor of thenosher.com, part of myJewishlearning.com. She is a popular food writer and has written food articles for many publications. Follow her at @shasarna on Instagram and Twitter.
Free Giveaway The Modern Jewish Baker Cookbook
These three lucky winners will receive this wonderful cookbook.
Rivka Kantor, Lakewood, NJ 08701
Kayla Klontz, Sandusky, Oh 44870
Linda Licker, Frisco, Texas 75033
Giveaway is limited to continental U.S. only. If not living in continental U.S, you may 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.