The Silver Platter Review & Giveaway

The Silver Platter Review & Giveaway

My first impression of The Silver Platter cookbook was how big and beautiful it is, almost a coffee table book. Having formerly trained in graphic design, I always look at the layout first. And the pictures. Both are stellar. Beautiful, bright and colorful photos accompany each meticulously-written recipe. And the food doesn’t just look good, it looks inviting, and not intimidating in the least. I love the partnership of Daniella and Norene in this book. Daniella is a young mom looking to feed her kids easy and healthy dinners, while Norene brings her culinary expertise, offering sage advice for each recipe.

I think my favorite part about The Silver Platter is that all of the recipes can be made with basic pantry ingredients. Daniella managed to bring a variety of dishes that are packed with flavor using basic ingredients and no added junk. Her recipes are healthy, wholesome and family-friendly without being boring. Many are gluten free and allergy-friendly too. A nutritional index for each recipe is even included in the appendix.

The Silver Platter features recipes that are both basic enough for every day and innovative enough for the holidays. From appetizers, soups and salads, to fish, poultry, meat and dairy, as well as grain side dishes, vegetable side dishes, cookies, treats and cakes, they’ve got everything covered! I can’t wait to try the baby eggplant fans (genius!), crunchy corned beef strips, berry plum soup, snap pea salad with basil-mint dressing, broiled lemon fish, three-seeded schnitzel, basil chicken with sundried tomatoes, raspberry london broil, cheesy quinoa bites, panko-topped bok choy and edamame, fudgy pretzel brownies, white chocolate popcorn clusters, blueberry flan and heavenly halva cheesecake!

In honor of Thanksgiving, I’m sharing some festive recipes for apple cranberry couscous and sweet potato squash soup below, AND, I’m also giving away a copy of The Silver Platter! To enter, simply leave a comment below about your favorite Thanksgiving dish. For an extra entry, follow Busy In Brooklyn via any of the channels below. Just be sure to leave a note in the comment letting me know where you follow.

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Giveaway is open to U.S. residents (for international entries, prize can only be shipped in the U.S.). Winner will be chosen at random at 10:00 AM EST on Tuesday, November 24th, 2015.

Apple Cranberry Couscous
Recipe from The Silver Platter by Daniella Silver with Norene Gilletz
Reprinted with permission from the copyright holders: ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications
http://www.artscroll.com/silver

1 1/2 cups (about 1 8.8 oz pkg) Israeli Couscous (see Norenes notes below)
1/2 green apple, julienned (do not peel)
1/2 red apple, julienned (do not peel)
1 tbsp lemon juice (preferably fresh)
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup candied almonds or pecans, optional
Dressing:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp honey or pure maple syrup
1 tsp kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:
Cook couscous according to package directions. Fluff with a fork; let cool.
In a serving bowl, toss apples with lemon juice. Add couscous and cranberries.
Dressing: Combine ingredients for dressing in a glass jar; seal tightly, and shake well.
Add dressing to couscous mixture and mix well. Top with almonds, if using. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Norene’s Notes:
To make this dish gluten-free, use brown rice couscous, quinoa, kasha, or a rice blend; cook according to package directions.
Israeli couscous is actually toasted pasta and originated in Israel. It is also known as pearl couscous or maftoul.

Sweet Potato & Squash Soup
Recipe from The Silver Platter by Daniella Silver with Norene Gilletz
Reprinted with permission from the copyright holders: ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications
http://www.artscroll.com/silver

1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 butternut squash (about 3 lb/1.4 kg), peeled and cut into chunks (see Norene’s Notes below)
3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
3 tbsp honey
2 tsp kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
6 cups water or vegetable broth
1 tsp minced fresh thyme leaves
additional thyme leaves, for garnish

Instructions:
Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, saute for 5 minutes, or until softened.
Stir in squash, sweet potatoes, honey, salt , pepper and water. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat. Simmer, partially covered, for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir occasionally.
Add thyme. Remove soup from heat. Cool slightly.
Using an immersion blender, process soup until smooth. If soup is too thick, add a little water or broth. Adjust seasoning to taste. Garnish with thyme.

Norenes Notes:
To cut squash into chunks easily, try this easy trick. Slash squash in several places with a sharp knife. Microwave for 5 minutes on high (or bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes) Cool slightly. Cut squash into two pieces at the neck. Cut the round bottom part in half. Using a large spoon, scoop out and discard seeds and stringy fiber. Peel squash with a vegetable peeler. Cut in chunks.

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232 thoughts on “The Silver Platter Review & Giveaway”

  5. Following on FB and Instagram!

    This is my 2nd year hosting Thanksgiving in our home, and my favorite thing to make for Thanksgiving is a salad/grain mixture of all things wintery. Last year, I made a delicious farro salad with roasted butternut squash, sauteed tuscan kale, dried cranberries, capers, sunflower seeds. This year I am going to do a spin on that with roasted sweet potatoes, thinly sliced raw kale, wild rice, chopped hazelnuts, dried cherries. Maybe a maple dijon dressing. So versatile to mix up the grains and mix ins!

    Reply

  9. Thanksgiving is a regular work day for me, so I try to incorporate some traditional Thanksgiving foods into our Shabbos meal. My kids love miniature pumpkins stuffed with rice, raisins and cardamom

    Reply

  10. My favorite thanksgiving dish is my moms southern corn bread stuffing! SOO good!!
    I would love to win this cookbook. I follow you on Instagram and Facebook. (@tovaskitchen)

    Reply

  25. Hi!!
    Would love to win this cookbook! I was born on thanksgiving so I have a special place for thanksgiving food!! My favorite thanksgiving dish is the stuffing ! My mom actually makes her stuffing in a pan like a kugel! It is sooo good! Looking forward to that next week!

    Reply

  26. I love your blog and I’d be thrilled to win the cookbook! I follow you on facebook and twitter and I’ve made many of your wonderful recipes!My favorite thanksgiving food is stuffing ?

    Reply

  47. turkey is always best on thanksgiving,especially since my mother had a technique to cook it in a brown paper bag.

    Reply

  66. My favorite Thanksgiving dish is my Bubbe’s apple pie. She would make the crust from scratch and even though she isn’t with us anymore, everytime I make it and take a bite, I’m transported back to my childhood and all the memories of her come rushing back to me! I follow you on FB and Instagram.

    Reply

  73. Following on facebook and instagram.
    My favorite dish is sweet potato pie with a marshmallow topping!! And it’s so kids friendly!

    Reply

  81. Stuffing is my favorite :) and enjoying the company of family friends. Good energy and good food :) these are the special moments in life. Happy Holidays and good luck everyone.
    Best,
    Dana

    Reply

  85. I love your website! I’ve tried many of your recipes and they came out delish. just tried the 3 cheese broccoli pull apart buns and everyone loved them. my favorite thing to make is turkey. Last year I made a turkey breast which was easier to cook and cooked more evenly. yum!

    Reply

  90. Wasn’t planning on making soup for Thanksgiving but after seeing the sweet potato and squash soup recipe, which looks deliciousI’ve decided to make it.

    Reply

  95. My fav is my stuffing. My own creation, but I think what makes it so good is that I use homemade challah. I follow u on fb

    Reply

  112. I love Daniella, and her recipes and have been dying to try her new book! I’m new to Thanksgiving but I love a good butternut squash pie or soup with a flavor of cinnamon.

    I just started following you on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. I love pinning great recipes to try for Shabbats. On an entirely separate note I’m going to email you about a project I’m working on that I think would make a great collaboration!

    Reply

  119. My mom’s roasted turkey with cranberry, but also love our new quinoa recipe with roasted sweet potato candied pecan craisens fresh parsley and a lemon juice/olive oil cumin dressing. YUM!

    Following on Instagram.

    Reply

  136. In my adopted land of the USA, I really enjoy Thanksgiving. My favorite dish would have to be balsamic brussel sprouts or butternut squash soup. And if there are fresh made rolls at the meal to mop up the gravy that’s always a winner. And anything pumpkin spice!

    (I follow on instagram).

    Reply

  137. I recently became acquainted with Norene Gilletz and actually met her about a week ago in NY. I am helping administrate her fb group and I am embarrassed to admit that I don’t (yet) own this cookbook, although I here about the wonderful recipes pretty much all day! lol. I would be honored to add it to my collection of cookbooks! I follow BusyinBrooklyn on Facebook and love your recipes and incorporate them into my cooking often. The fried salami slices was a huge hit. Its funny, I told my Husband that I need to start Thanksgiving planning and buy a Turkey and He said why, nobody likes turkey. I had to quickly poll the family to see if that was true of anyone else besides Him…we are having Turkey!

    Reply

  139. I follow via email. How exciting is it that Norene Gilletz published a new cookbook! A creative cook and very nice person (I was fortunate to meet her at a Kosherfest several years ago), her cookbooks make you feel as if you are in the kitchen with her!

    Reply

  141. my favorite old thanksgiving food is stuffing – of any kind.
    favorite new thanksgiving food is chocolate pecan pie – as if pecan pie isn’t sweet enough.
    would love the cookbook – will be making the soup and couscous for Shabbat next week.

    Reply

  143. My favorite thanksgiving food is pumpkin pie covered in spritzed on par excellence whipped cream. It took a lot of searching for a pumpkin pie recipe that didn’t call for condensed milk but mine is not only authentic, it is easy to prepare.

    Reply

  149. I love roasted squash stuffed with rice and nuts and anything with loads of fall veggies (I’ve been vegetarian / pescetarian for more than 10 years). Would love to win a copy of this!

    Reply

  153. Following on facebook –and I’m excited to try the apple cranberry couscous– As my husband says: the food so nice, they named it twice.

    Reply

  156. Never celebrated Thanksgiving officially, but have made many turkey day-esque recipes, as your mom did, for Shabbos and holidays. Sweet potato pie has pride of place at our table many a winter’s weekend.

    Just started following you on instagram, thanks to a friend’s referral! Love your healthful yet innovative style.

    Reply

  163. My favorite Thanksgiving dish is this corn kugel/pudding that my great-aunt makes. It’s sweet and savory and just yum! (Oh, and I follow on Facebook and Instagram!)

    Reply

  167. I love to take all my Thanksgiving leftovers: turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, corn and gravy, and layer it in a small container and freeze it so I can have Thanksgiving dinner any time I want.
    I follow on Instagram!

    Reply

  201. Martha Stewart’s turkey 101 (made with margarine instead of butter) has got to be my favorite thanksgiving dish. It always comes out perfectly moist, and there is never any leftovers :)

    Reply

  207. I like a really good creamy mashed potatoes and also simple roasted haricots verts made with olive oil and salt and pepper.

    Reply

  214. I love Thanksgiving food in general! I am always happy to have a Thanksgiving meal in the middle of some random day of the year!

    Reply

  222. My husband makes a Julia Child turkey recipe. He removes the white meat, then he removes the rib cage. He slices the white meat and fills the turkey cavity with the sliced white meat and a turkey stuffing that my mother made of Herb Seasoned Stuffing (like Pepperidge Farm) to which I add sautéed onions, mushrooms, and celery and some broth. He sews it up and roasts. The first year it looked like( the newly released) ET. Every year it got better looking.

    Reply

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