Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


The Backstory: My girlfriend Gloria is an excellent cook. About 30 years ago my husband and I were invited to her home for dinner. This casserole was one of the delectable foods she prepared that night. Whatever she served wa[…]-READ-MORE>

Couscous with spinach, onions and tomatoes is simply fresh and flavorful. This is a perfect side, light lunch (add protein!) and go-to all year round.
…The Backstory continues: This delicious dish is flavorful, satisfying an[…]-READ-MORE>

Twice-baked potatoes are creamy and savory on the inside and cheesy and crusty on top of the potato skin. That’s our kind of potato heaven!
The Backstory: Twice-baked potatoes are comfort food and then some. These are the pota[…]-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>

This creamy, rich, and decadent blue cheese dressing is perfect on everything from salads to baked potatoes to crudite party veggies.
The Backstory: Okay, okay, blue cheese isn’t exactly Jewish–I get it. But let’s face it–th[…]-READ-MORE>

This deliciously moist lemon almond sponge cake is perfect for Passover or anytime you want a light, flavorful ending to a delicious meal.
The Backstory: In my opinion, sponge cake has taken a bad rap. I’m not sure if it’s jus[…]-READ-MORE>

Lemon Poppy Seed cake is sweet, tart, moist and truly melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
The Backstory: I’m a firm believer that you should be able to have your cake and not feel guilty about it. After all, life is about enjoying o[…]-READ-MORE>

Almond crusted fish is a nutty, delicious way to jazz up white fish and give it a nutty, tasty, surprise. This is a perfect Shabbat or company dish.
The Backstory: With all the delicious and savory ways there are to prepare wh[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: I will eat potatoes in any way that they are prepared. Potatoes were a staple at every dinner my mother made. My dad was a meat and potatoes guy. The meal was almost always the same: mashed potatoes made with P[…]-READ-MORE>

Sweet. juicy grilled pineapple is the perfect ending to a summer meal. It stands on its own or rises to perfection with a dollop of ice cream or sorbet.
The Backstory: Grilled Pineapple is just about one of the most delectable[…]-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>

The Backstory: First, I promise that this is a true story. When I asked my mother for her chicken soup recipe, she said: “I’ll have to measure and get back to you.” I said, “How is that possible? You’ve been making this soup for[…]-READ-MORE>