The Cochin Jewish Book Of Rice & Breads

by Dr Essie Sassoon, Bala Menon, Kenny Salem

Overview

Rice (ari in Judeo-Malayalam) has always been the staple food of the tiny community of Jews from the erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin in Kerala. Rice also has spiritual and religious connotations, because of its association with weddings, festivals and other life cycle events. Kerala is famous for its scenic rice paddies and abundant produce and the Jews used the grain to create scores of dishes. The grain is kosher and not forbidden for Cochinis (as they are called in Israel) even during Passover, under a religious dispensation given to them by religious authorities! Rice takes on many incarnations throughout the day in In Cochini Jewish homes in Israel and Kerala, and continues to be the main fare, with side dishes made according to ages-old recipes. In the early days of their settlement in Israel, the Cochinis hoarded their rations of margarine, olives and wheat to barter these in the kibbutzes with Ashkenazi or European settlers in return for rice for their Shabbat meals. In the 20th century, however, wheat-based breads began to make inroads into Cochin kitchens

Product Details

BN ID:	2940152627817
Publisher:	Tamarind Tree Books Inc.
Publication date:	05/09/2016
Sold by:	Smashwords
Format:	eBook
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Retired Gynaecologist. Born in the erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin in Kerala; was Specialist Associate Professor at Calicut Medical College, when she volunteered for duty in Israel during the Yom Kippur War, serving at Telashomer Hospital in Ramat Gan; Later became Deputy Head of Department at Barzilai Medical Centre in Ashkelon, where she now lives. Twice honoured for meritorious service, Dr. Sassoon now devotes her time to her hobbies - cooking, sports and folk dancing.

Journalist_artist_historian_researcher_blogger_storyteller. Bala began his career with Times of India, Mumbai and later took up assignments in national newspapers in the Sultanate of Oman and United Arab Emirates. Widely travelled. Now works at a publishing house in Toronto, Canada. Lives in the city of Brampton, west of Toronto. Co-author of "Spice & Kosher: Exotic Cuisine of the Cochin Jews" *2013), the parent book of the Spice & Kosher Ebook Series. Was Joint Editor of 'Rhapsody Lane: A Selection of Works by Flower City Writers", published in 2015.

Well-versed in Sephardic customs and lore, Kenny was born in Mattancherry (Synagogue Lane) and is scion of the illustrious Salem Family of Cochin. Graduated from Government Engineering College in Thrissur (central Kerala), made aliyah in 1987 and settled in Canada in 1990. Was active in motorsports, including the gruelling Himalayan Rally and other races. Runs an engineering and transport business and lives in King City, north of Toronto.