I adored how well put together this cookbook was. Suggestions for how to put together the meals to have a full shabbat dinner, and helpful tips throughout the book were much appreciated. The variety of dishes and recipes was a nice surprise. The food photography was spectacular and the recipes were written in an easily followed and thorough manner.

I really appreciated a shabbat specific cookbook that helps me to put together a nice weekly holiday meal for my family and friends.

An inspirational cookbook that will add flavour to your Shabbat table (conversation)

Faith Kramer's 52 Shabbats is a beautiful gem of a cookbook.
Sectioned into seasons (starting with Rosh HaShana in Autumn), the book features essays, (hi)stories of ingredients and menu suggestions, as well as some substitute ingredients. There is a separate dessert section, fundamental recipes and a side-dish section.

I especially appreciated the global approach, which makes the Ethiopian dishes a true highlight.

The typeset and graphics are nice, I only wish the beautiful photos were with the dishes instead of at the end of the book.

The conversion table at the back is helpful for cooks around the world.

I made the salmon and cauliflower which were great hits (and not spicy!). The recipes balance fruit and herbs beautifully and state clearly where you can try different herbs and spices to change them to your taste.

If there is something missing, I'd say it's more fish options or vegan mains (the cauliflower is nice but I would serve it more as a vegetable side).

Since October 7th, like many other Jews, I’ve become more connected to the Jewish community. Part of that is implementing religious traditions more often, such as lighting candles to welcome Shabbat, and attending religious events. This book sounded like the perfect way to incorporate new flavors into our dinners with echoes of Jewish diaspora communities around the world.

This is a fantastic cookbook. It’s organized by season, with recipes that are easy to make and it’s packed full of information about Judaism. Kramer discusses the various diaspora communities of Jews, how the recipes relate back to religious practices, and the various holidays throughout the year. In addition, she offers holiday recipes using foods that are central to the season and holiday, such as dairy meals for Shavuot, foods fried in oil for Chanukah, and sweet foods for Rosh Hashanah.

I began by bookmarking pages, until I realized that I was bookmarking basically every page with the exception of a few. This says a lot because I’m a really picky eater, so for me to be willing to make and eat nearly every recipe in the book, you know it’s a good one. I’m clearly going to have to purchase this book to keep in the kitchen, since it’s one that I will absolutely be using regularly.

Many people don’t realize how Jewish people have spent diaspora in so many different places. The cultural influences and food availability had a large impact on recipes, with each diaspora group relying on different standby meals. For example, in Eastern Europe, Ashkenazi Jews didn’t have access to dates, figs, and fresh produce all year long, relying on pickled foods and potatoes. Potatoes weren’t easy to grow in warmer climates, so Jews of the SWANA, Spain, Portugal, Central and South America relied more heavily on rice dishes. Jews living in India have more of an Asian influence on their meals. And this book brings it all out in stunning glory.

As a whole, Jews tend to be a very adaptable people. I got a firsthand view of how these cultural traits fuse into a fantastic melting pot in Israel. You can get schnitzel and potatoes at a restaurant, while you can find falafel and shawarma and shakshuka next door. I loved how Kramer took these influences and used them to make completely unique meals. In addition, she includes ideas for a full menu for Shabbat, and offers basics like challah and chicken soup with matzo balls, but also recipes that I found intriguing simply because they’re unfamiliar.

Overall, most of the recipes are simple, but there are long lists of ingredients due to the spices that she includes. No more boring chicken dishes here—I’m so excited to make these amazing recipes. The gorgeous photographs of many of these dishes has me looking forward to making Shabbat dinner each week. And as an added plus, most of the recipes have a time-saving component included, so some or most of the work can be done in advance. This isn’t just helpful to me as a disabled person, but also as someone who does the cooking prior to Shabbat—now I don’t have to push myself past my body’s limits or spend hours in the kitchen to make a nice Shabbat dinner. This book would be perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about the Jewish people and our cooking traditions, is interested in finding updated and diverse comfort foods, if you hate having to skip over pages in cookbooks because you keep kosher, or if you just like spicing up your meals with new flavors.

I enjoyed these recipes and can't wait to try them out for Shabbat sometime. I liked all the different options available. My daughter enjoyed looking through this with me too.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

It's a lovely idea for a cookbook, but most of the recipes fell a little flat for me. Many of them did not say "Shabbat" to me, but I'm probably a little too old-fashioned. For the reader looking for new Shabbat meals, this will probably be very inspiring.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I'm sure many readers will be charmed by the meals presented in it.

A nice primer on Jewish food from around the world. Mostly meat based recipes, but perhaps some inspiration for those who are vegan.

A really great variety of recipes, but I do wish there were more photos to accompany the recipes. The cover photo is beautiful but then it's quite a lot of text

52 Shabbats by Faith Kramer offers a beautifully holistic approach to the Shabbat tradition, welcoming readers from all backgrounds—Jewish or otherwise—to explore and embrace its richness. This book is a vibrant celebration of Friday night dinners, with recipes inspired by the diverse and flavorful global Jewish kitchen.

Organized seasonally, the book makes it easy to source fresh, in-season ingredients, enhancing each dish's authenticity and vibrancy. The in-depth introduction provides valuable context about Jewish traditions and community, offering an informative backdrop that enriches the recipes and gives readers a deeper appreciation of Shabbat.

Each main recipe is thoughtfully paired with a suggested menu, making it effortless to craft a complete and satisfying Friday night meal from appetizer to dessert. The accompanying photographs are as captivating as the recipes, providing visual inspiration to create stunning dishes. I also appreciated the inclusion of cultural tidbits and stories about Jewish communities worldwide, adding a personal and meaningful touch.

This book has earned a spot on my kitchen library wish list, and I can't wait to incorporate its creative, globally inspired menus into my Friday night dinners.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Collective Book Studio for providing me with an e-book copy in exchange for my honest review

"52 Shabbats" is perfect for anyone, whether you're a longtime Shabbat dinner host or just diving into the tradition. The book has over fifty main recipes, plus plenty of sides and desserts to mix and match. Each recipe is organized seasonally, with substitutions to fit different tastes and lifestyles. It’s a great guide to make your Friday night dinners both easy and meaningful.

We have been wanting to host more Shabbat dinners, so I was excited when I saw this cookbook! '52 Shabbats shares the rich Jewish history, culture, and emotions around these Friday night celebrations. Even if you are just looking to explore Jewish cuisine, I recommend this to you. Faith Kramer's writing is thorough, respectful, and inviting in each aspect of the book.

Special thanks to the Publisher, The Collective Book Studio, and Net Galley for a complimentary copy of this cookbook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I married into a Jewish family and I cannot wait to start incorporating these recipes into my cooking! It’s so helpful and resourceful and informational. Excited!

I absolutely loved reading through this book and can't wait to try the recipes!

There's a nice little history of Jewish cuisine to get rolling, and it's quite short, nothing too heavy, providing some context for readers who aren't so familiar with Jewish food.

It features Shabbat recipes and menu ideas from around the world, but the author uses ingredients that are readily accessible to most modern home cooks. She also does a lot of mashups that become interesting and unique concepts and makes what could be foreign recipes more palatable for the Wester foodie.

It has a beautiful, easy-to-read layout with suggested menus for each recipe and a well-rounded description of the dish.

There are some beautiful pictures, but not all of the recipes have pictures, and the pictures aren't necessarily next to the recipes.

Thank you to NetGalley, The Collective Book Studio, and Faith Kramer for an advanced copy for review.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Collective Book Studio for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a stunningly beautiful cookbook!

The recipes are all very unique, and all the lovely spices and deep flavors make my mouth water just thinking about them.

The ingredients are fairly easy to find, and the instructions are very detailed. I think any cook with a moderate amount of experience could make any recipe from this book, and there few quite a few a newbie cook can easily handle too.

I also appreciate that there are recipes in the back of the book to make some of the harder to find ingredients. Things like Tahini, Hawaij, and Za'atar are incredibly difficult to find in rural areas like mine.

52 Shabbats provides over 50 recipes, while incorporating information on Jewish peoples from around the world and how food plays a role in their varied cultures. Honestly, if you weren't hungry when you started looking at this cookbook, you will be after. I liked how each primary recipe included extra recipes to make a full Shabbat night menu (appetizers, deserts, etc). The recipes seemed easy enough to follow and some are extremely unique and not what I would have immediately guessed would be included for each season.

Thanks to The Collective Book Studio and NetGalley for an eARC of this cookbook for an honest review.