We have thousands of recipes from published cookbooks, magazines, and celebrities, but here at Kosher.com one of our goals is to shine a light on the future rising stars of the kosher foodie world. So we’ve opened up our site to anyone who cooks – whether for a food blog, Instagram, or just for family and friends! We call them our community chefs.

 

Kosher.com community chefs are a key part of the Kosher.com experience, contributing to what makes our site the most diverse collection of all types of kosher recipes.

 

Our community chefs have their own page of recipes and or articles with links to their personal platforms; are featured in our email newsletters, Instagram feed, and stories; and starting this month, will have their own special article introducing them to our audience.

 

Do you want to become a community chef? Learn more about the program and how to apply HERE!

Without further ado, meet our newest CC, Adina Silberman!

 

How did you get into cooking and baking?

I bought my first cookbook when I was four years old – Women’s Weekly Kids in the Kitchen – and have fond memories of standing on a small stool and whisking a batch of pancakes for breakfast. I was always encouraged to cook and bake and would often create elaborate meals for my family. The only rule I had in my kitchen was, “If you make a mess, clean it up.”

 

What is your favorite kitchen gadget?

It is hard to choose just one, but I would have to say a mandoline – specifically, the one made by Benriner. Nothing beats an ultra thin slice of a vegetable or fruit in a salad or slaw. My biggest piece of advice for using a mandoline is to stay focused and don’t let your mind wander.

 

How do you find the time to work on your recipes?

Cooking and baking is my outlet and my ultimate form of relaxation. When I was in college, friends would often ask me for what seemed to be very thorough notes from class…when in reality, they were papers covered in recipe ideas and menus for my next meal!

 

How would you describe your cooking style?

I like to cook backwards – I take inspiration from the elements that compose a dish rather than the final product. I never focus on replicating dishes from recipes, buying extra spices or tools to make things just right, instead, I do it in reverse. I like to think outside the box, cook with what is in season, substitute often, and very rarely waste leftovers.

 

Where do you get inspiration for your recipes?

I mostly get inspired by the ingredients I have in front of me. I try to think about what I can make out of them, whether traditional or not, and use my cooking and baking background to whip things up that are thoughtful and unique.

 

Do you have a signature dish?

People in my community know me for my cookies – I run a small cookie business under the name @doughemgee – and make cookies and bars in all sorts of delicious flavors like cornflake crunch, rainbow sprinkle, birthday cake, s’mores, and more.

 

What are your favorite recipes on Kosher.com?

I have had great experiences with recipes from Kosher.com. I find that the recipes I most cherish from the site are the ones that remind me of my childhood favorites. Things as simple as a classic potato kugel and gefilte fish are the recipes that really draw me in.

 

What are your favorite cooking videos to watch?

I enjoy cooking videos that are time-lapsed! As someone who doesn’t use recipes to cook, sometimes just watching out for techniques and the composition of the final product will inspire my entire process.

 

What is your favorite cookbook?

Kim Kushner’s The New Kosher has some of the most original kosher recipes I have seen to date. Her recipes are the backbone of so many others’ recipes!

 

Do you have a favorite ingredient to cook with?

I absolutely love using Sambal Oelek! It is my go-to ingredient for so many recipes because it is made with simple ingredients but packed with so much flavor.

 

What advice can you offer first-time cooks?

Feel free to be adventurous in the kitchen – think about what ingredients you have and work backwards. If a recipe calls for something specific, try swapping it out with something that can replicate a similar flavor and texture. Jumping out of the confines of a recipe will help turn your time in the kitchen from a chore into a passion!

 

View all of Adina’s delicious recipes HERE!
You can find Adina on Instagram @homewithadina

 

Do you want to become a Kosher.com community chef? Apply by sending three original recipes and images to [email protected].

 

We can’t wait to meet you!