By now you’re probably well aware that I’m pathologically prone to celebrating each and every special occasion on my family’s calendar, so it probably comes as no surprise to learn that I’m currently obsessed with Jenny Rosenstrach’s new book How to Celebrate Everything.
This warm and inspiring collection of recipes and ideas is a guide to helping families slow down, capture the moments that matter and eat well while doing so. If you have any interest in learning more about how to turn birthdays, holidays and everyday occasions into cherished family traditions you’ll want to snap up this book ASAP.
Unlike most cookbooks, this one reads more like a story, and is one you’ll want to curl up and consume cover to cover, especially as we get ready to enter the ultimate celebration season of the year. The fall and winter rituals and holidays covered include: Sunday dinners, The Holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Interfaith Parties), New Year’s Eve, Super Bowl Sunday, and more. There’s also a long list of year round rituals that are sure to convince you need to incorporate one or two of them into your own personal celebration schedule.
While the rituals and holidays covered are specific to Jenny’s own family, I like to think they’re familiar enough that you can see your own family within them somewhere. We’re inclined to adopt her idea of ‘Lunch with Dad’, and those of us with preteen and teenaged kids will nod our heads in agreement (and wipe away a tear or two) as she share’s her own mother’s advice for helping her kids dealing with middle school drama: ‘You just make sure that when those girls walk in that door every day they never doubt that home is the most comforting place for them to be.’
As I mentioned, this is first and foremost a cookbook, and I promise you there’s no shortage of recipes you’ll want to bookmark for the coming months. On my list of things to make:
- Franks and Beans for Halloween (here’s a similar recipe on her website)
- Potato Latke’s with Fixin’s
- Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
- Broccolini-Chickpea Pizza
- Shredded Pork Lettuce Wraps with Pomegranate
I’m certain this book will strike a chord with anyone who enjoys sharing a good meal, creating a family tradition, or celebrating a holiday with the people they love. Especially in today’s digital, overscheduled age. It’s nice to be reminded that we need to take the time to connect and make memories with those we care about the most.
Tagged under: Cookbooks,cookbook review,How to Celebrate Everything,Jenny Rosenstrach
Category: food-news
