The kosher cookbook market continues to flourish, and it can be difficult to know which cookbooks are the right match for each home cook. We all have our own strengths and weaknesses in the kitchen, some like to try varied international cuisines while others prefer to stick with the more familiar, and, of course, some people are happy to spend time making complex recipes but others are staunchly in the quick-and-easy-only camp.

From time to time, I'll be reviewing different cookbooks here, giving you a little glimpse inside each one, to help you decide which ones might be a good investment for you.

Have you heard about the new Gluten Free Around the World cookbook? It's written by Aviva Kanoff who has been described as the Indiana Jones of cooking. The publishers have sent me a copy to review. We also have a second copy for one lucky reader!


So, what's special about this cookbook? The author's globe-trotting has taken her to the far reaches of Peru and India, Italy to Israel, Croatia to Southeast Asia and then some, where she has tasted the local flavors, photographed the feasts and recreated the bountifully flavored dishes of these exotic places in her own kitchen. Now she is sharing them with us in this beautiful new cookbook.


Photography

Every recipe in this book is accompanied by a full color photo, which is arguably one of the most important characteristics of any cookbook. With a picture, you know what to expect and what to aim for. I, for one, am a lot quicker to try a recipe with a photo, than a recipe without.

The book is also littered with pictures depicting daily life in the many places Aviva has traveled to. In my opinion, it's these pictures, along with short snippets of her travels, that give the cookbook its real character. There are pictures from Ecuador, Thailand, France, London, Vietnam, Spain, India and Italy, just to name a few. Through these pictures, Aviva gives us a glimpse into the food, culture, dress and environment in dozens of far-off places. It's like a mini world tour.


RECIPE: Churros


Cuisine

This cookbook is certainly international. Recipes range from the enduring (Blueberry Scones) to the contemporary (Candied Fig and Goat Cheese Salad), from riffs on classics (Fish Tacos) to ethnic specialties (Beef Pho). There are recipes for Lemongrass Chicken Skewers from Indonesia, Eggplant Risotto from Italy, Indian Pakoras, Thai Beef Salad, Irish Blue Potato Stew and Moroccan Baked Salmon with Herb Relish. Desserts include Classic Creme Brulee, Chocolate Moussie Pie, Banana Walnut Cake and Bailey's Irish Mousse.


RECIPE: Potato-Cheese Fritters


Who Will Enjoy this Cookbook?

While I can't promise that you will or won't enjoy Gluten Free Around the World, I'll give some general suggestions.

"Gluten-free" is big business these days. You see the labels everywhere: gluten-free breakfast cereals, breads, pizza, chips and hundreds of other foods.

But forget the hullabaloo, this is not just the latest food fad. Although thousands of people blindly follow a gluten-free diet without giving it much thought and late-night comedians mock the trend, it's no joke. For people who have been diagnosed with celiac disease, avoiding gluten is a necessity, not a choice. The difficulty is knowing how to prepare tasty, appealing gluten-free food. There are no simple substitutions, no easy fixes.

Typical American fare, in particular, is very wheat-based. But many ethnic and international dishes are naturally gluten free. Gluten Free Around the World features recipes from countries whose cuisines focus on gluten free ingredients, and includes breakfast foods, soups and salads, sides, dairy, fish, meat poultry and vegetarian mains, as well as desserts—all gluten free.

If you need to cook gluten free, this is the kosher cookbook for you.

If you're a healthy cook, there are lots of options here for you.

If you're looking to embrace new spices and flavors in your cooking, this one's for you.

If you're looking for very quick and simple 4-5 ingredient recipes, this is not for you.

If you'd like to explore cuisines you may not have tasted before, Gluten Free Around the World gives a good range of options. Explore a little, and discover which flavors you find most palatable.


Beef Tacos

Try this easy, flavorful weeknight supper from the book:


Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 large white onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 lbs. ground beef
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp. cracked black pepper
  • ¼ tsp. ground chipotle
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
  • 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas, warmed
  • salsa, guacamole and lime juice
  • Optional: non-dairy shredded cheese

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add onion and garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent and garlic is golden brown, about 5 minutes, then add beef, salt, cumin, paprika, cracked pepper, and chipotle.
  2. Stir until beef is cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.
  3. Once beef is cooked, add cilantro or parsley.
  4. Serve with warmed tortillas, your favorite salsa, guacamole, (non-dairy shredded cheese, optional) and a squeeze of lime.

So, is Gluten Free Around the World a cookbook you'd love to own? We are giving away a free copy to one lucky reader. It could be you! To enter, leave a comment letting us know why you'd love a copy of Gluten Free Around the World.

NOTE: Cookbook can only be shipped in the U.S. Entries must be made by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Winner will be chosen at random on Thursday, March 19, 2015.