Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


Give ordinary bananas a wow makeover with melted chocolate and nuts and watch your guests go wild.
The Backstory: Who doesn’t like bananas? No one I know. Now add some melted chocolate, chopped nuts, and put it all on a stic[…]-READ-MORE>

Smoked salmon and caviar toasts are a delectable, elegant appetizer that will wow your guests and are easy to make. What more could you ask for?
The Backstory: The first time I had caviar was at famed The Russian Tea Room in t[…]-READ-MORE>

Watch your guests devour this luscious and creamy cake–you won’t have a single slice left.
The Backstory: My girlfriend, Lorraine, swears by this cheesecake. She used to make it all the time. I have yet to sample hers, but sh[…]-READ-MORE>

Mom’s Perfect Kugel is my go-to kugel for every holiday. Apricot preserves, vanilla notes, and a crunchy, to-die-for topping, put it over the top. This is my most-requested recipe.
The Backstory: If you put five (or 50) Jewish[…]-READ-MORE>

Bottled salad dressing flavors and tenderizes our marinated chicken for a foolfproof, go-to recipe that never fails. Perfect for company or Shabbat.
The Backstory: When I moved from an apartment to my own house, I cannot expla[…]-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>

Tender dumplings in golden chicken broth are the cure for whatever ails you.
The Backstory: Kreplach, those delicious dumplings that bathe in our worshiped chicken soup, are one of the pillars of Jewish soul food. These meat f[…]-READ-MORE>

Smoked salmon and cream cheese spirals are a savory and creamy make-ahead appetizer that everyone loves–make extra because these go fast!
The Backstory: What’s a party without the smoked salmon? These delicious two-bite noshe[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: What is it with Jews and fiber? With an opening question like that, I can only say that I wish my father was here, because he’d have about 50 jokes, ready to go. More of the Backstory after the recipe…
Bran Muf[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: From the first moment I set foot in Paris in the winter of 1997, I loved it the way everyone who falls in love with the City of Love (and Light) falls in love. Deeply, madly, insanely. More of the Backstory after t[…]-READ-MORE>

Vegetarian chopped liver tastes close enough to the real thing that even Bubbie would approve!
The Backstory: I found this recipe by accident. I was digging through my many folders and notebooks of recipes, news clippings of r[…]-READ-MORE>

Beautiful to look at and luscious inside, Gloria’s Jam Roll Cake is a gorgeous dessert that your guest will devour. Be prepared to hand over the recipe!
The Backstory: My friend Gloria gave me this recipe for this fabulous cak[…]-READ-MORE>