Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family

This velvety sweet and savory soup is the perfect first course for Thanksgiving or any festive fall meal. Add some warm crusty bread and enjoy.
The Backstory: Let me just come right out and say it: I am not a soup lover. More […]-READ-MORE>
Couscous and chick-pea salad is healthy, full of flavor, texture, and perfect for lunch, sides, and snacking.
The Backstory: Couscous, a delicious and healthy grain (it’s actually a tiny pasta!) made from wheat or barley, orig[…]-READ-MORE>
Sweet fresh fruit kebabs and a creamy dip make for a fun, fresh and delicious party appetizer.
The Backstory: Fruit plates, fruit platters and fruit bowls have come a long, long way since our grandmothers scooped out half a wa[…]-READ-MORE>
Blini with smoked salmon are elegant appetizers that hit on all fronts: salty, creamy, and perfect two bite noshes.
The Backstory: I first went to The Russian Tea Room in 1999. I was 35 years old and as a born and bred New Yor[…]-READ-MORE>
Tender and slightly chewy, these easy kasha kreplach are just perfect for soups or for serving as an appetizer with a tangy dip.
The Backstory: I have to admit that I’ve never had kasha kreplach in my entire life (bad Jew, I k[…]-READ-MORE>
My Aunt Sandy’s chocolate chip mandel bread is a true classic. This delicious biscotti-like cookie combines the very best of traditional Jewish baking with everyone’s favorite cookie for a no-fail dessert that’s perfect with coffe[…]-READ-MORE>
Linzer Torte is a showstopper of a dessert for good reason. It’s buttery, full of raspberries, melts in your mouth, and is tart and sweet at the same time.
The Backstory: This beautiful Austrian dessert, Linzer Torte, has been[…]-READ-MORE>
Our tossed salad with red wine vinaigrette is the only salad and dressing recipe you need in your repertoire to pull off a a delicious first course, fast.
The Backstory: This is one of my go-to salads and salad dressings. It’s[…]-READ-MORE>
Exactly what mandel bread should be: crisp, sweet, and golden brown.
The Backstory: I met Lorraine about a year ago. She was a fill in at a Mah Jongg game. When you play Mah Jongg (or any game) with the same group of girls[…]-READ-MORE>
Our recipe for old-fashioned baked apples is bursting with tender dried fruits, honey and cinnamon goodness. Is your mouth watering?
The Backstory: What can be more appealing to children (or adults?) when they come home from s[…]-READ-MORE>
Easy rice and orzo makes a perfect side dish for fish, chicken or beef. This simple dish absorbs the flavors of herbs, broth, and veggies.
The Backstory: Rice and orzo is a combination of pasta and rice. This delicious side di[…]-READ-MORE>