To many Americans, the word Kosher is synonymous with better or safer. For those of us who must avoid gluten, kosher foods are largely better and safer because many are naturally gluten-free as well.

So what makes food kosher? Kosher food is food that has been inspected by a Jewish inspector for selection and preparation for consumption by observant Jews. For meat to be kosher, it must also be slaughtered and then prepared in a distinct manner. In livestock, only the forequarters of approved cattle are considered kosher, which would omit filet mignon and sirloin steaks and some roasts because they come from the hindquarters of the animals. This would also be true of leg of lamb. Pork, rabbit and shellfish would also not be eaten by observing Jews.

Contemporary Jewish or kosher cooking encompasses a tremendous variety of not only foods but cooking styles and food flavorings from around the world. Contemporary kosher cooking is sophisticated and a world apart from the traditional foods a non-Jew associates with the word kosher like chicken soup, bagels and matzah.

Try our collection of kosher recipes that will take you on a culinary trip from the Mediterranean and on to fine dining of American cuisine.

Smoked Salmon Cheesecake
Crusted Halibut with Linguini
Fennel Crusted Snapper with Citrus Sauce
Chicken and Meatball Fricassee
Fettuccini with Mushrooms and Roasted Peppers

Wondering where to get kosher foods? Try these certified kosher establishments. They will ship meats, hard to find foods and herbs and spices.

Kessler Brothers Kosher
(888)228-9595
www.123Kosher.com

Kosher Depot
(516)338-4100

Spice House international
(516)942-7248
www.spicehouseint.com

- Glutenfreeda