The essentials of a kosher diet are not simple. Jewish dietary laws are complex and involved. There are many loose interpretations of kosher diets, because not all Jews follow the original laws to the letter, but in general you can eat a kosher diet if you follow these guidelines:
Purchase Meat from a Kosher Butcher
A kosher butcher will make sure to only sell meat and poultry that has been slaughtered and prepared according to Jewish dietary law. The meat must be of a kosher animal (cow, lamb, chicken, etc.) and must be slaughtered using shechita methods, then inspected (bedika) for adhesions, then butchered properly (called nikkur-the removal of specific blood vessels and fat deposits, plus the specified butchering of the actual meat). All this is done using kosher utensils. If you have any questions about meat preparations, you can ask the butcher for guidance.
Purchase Fish from a Kosher Fishmonger
Only a fishmonger who has been trained under rabbinic supervision will be able to guarantee kosher fish. Not only are only certain types of fish kosher, the removal of the scales is also done in a specific way such as to not damage the skin of the fish.
Purchase Products That Are Labeled "Certified Kosher"
Because so many products contain emulsifiers, fats and oils, flavorings and food colorings, it is very difficult to determine what is truly kosher and what is not kosher simply by reading ingredient lists on products. Make sure any products you buy from the store are actually labeled kosher, and you'll know the product is both made from kosher ingredients and prepared in a kosher method.
Separate Meat and Milk
You'll want to have separate utensils for cooking with either meat or milk products, and you'll need to separate preparation and eating times by six hours. For example, if you eat a milk product for breakfast, you must wait six hours before eating a dinner food that contains meat. In between, you could eat kosher vegetables, fruits and starches. Stricter interpretaions of kosher rules say that meat, dairy and vegetables cannot be stored in the same place or prepared using the same cutting boards or pots and pans.
Cooking Your Own Kosher Food
If you prepare your own food at home, you may find it easier to control the quality of the food you cook. While you have to be careful when buying emulsifiers, fats, flavorings and food colorings (many of these items are difficult to find kosher), you can control the sources of your ingredients and the preparation techniques used. Look for a kosher grocery store or search online for certified kosher products, then stock your pantry.
 | A kosher diet follows Jewish law in that only certain animals can be eaten. A kosher diet is strict, but you can stick to the rules by adjusting where and how you shop. |
 | Kosher meat must adhere to two sets of rules, one that governs the types of meat that can be used and one that ensures proper processing and preparation. |
 | There are strict rules that determine what is kosher and what isn't, ranging from the types of foods that can be eaten to the ways that foods are prepared. |
 | Planning a kosher meal can be a daunting task. Here are some basic rules that simplify the process, along with recipes for a three-course kosher meal. |
 | Get some tips for finding kosher recipes and ingredients, and try these recipes for Borscht and Kugel. |
