"Quick & Kosher Recipes from The Bride Who Knew Nothing" is the title of a new cookbook and the title says it all! The book, by Jamie Geller, reads like a great idea for a television series.

“You might call this the I Didn’t Tell Him I Couldn’t Cook Cookbook.” Geller states in the opening of her book (Feldheim, 2007, $34.99 U.S.) When she met her future husband she was a dedicated 24/7, fast-track producer at a major cable network who was too embarrassed to suggest sending their socks and towels to the dry cleaner and didn’t know a spatula from a saucepan.

Geller has since learned not only to be an accomplished cook and hostess but is now an internationally syndicated food and lifestyle columnist. She could also become a comedy writer.

The recipes are sophisticated but foolproof, simply written and easy to prepare, with loads of tips, including advice on pairing wines with various dishes. Ingredients called for are ones that readily available. Each recipe lists the prep time, few of them with more than 15 minutes, cook time, chill time and number of servings.

This is the ideal book for any young bride but you don’t have to be a bride to make this book a must-have. It has been many decades since I was a bride but this is a book that will stay in my kitchen and used rather than sit on a bookshelf.

Recipes range from Classic Gefilte Fish (hot tip: Wasabi sauce is the latest gefilte fish condiment rage), Speedy Coq au Vin, Hot and Spicy Turkey Wings, Mexican Quesadillas to Strawberry Shortcake Trifle and One Bowl Amazing Chocolate Cake.

If you purchase this book to give to your favorite bride you’d better buy two copies because you’re not going to want to give it away. You’ll laugh and cook your way through it.--