Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


The Backstory: My cousin Rhonda, who resides in Canada, gave me this recipe. It is from her sister, Ricky. The story of my Canadian relatives go back for decades. My grandfather and Ricky’s grandmother were brother and sister[…]-READ-MORE>

Juicy fruit compote is the easiest way to showcase ripe fruit or use fruit that’s about to turn overripe. Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream and enjoy!
The Backstory: Fruit Compote is one of the easiest dishes to put together[…]-READ-MORE>

Buttery pastry and sweet and nutty filling make these Hungarian pastry crescents melt in your mouth.
The Backstory: These delicious little cookies are very similar to rugelach but their texture is a little more dense. Also, un[…]-READ-MORE>

Mesclun greens with pears, dried cherries and candies walnuts is a beautiful fall and winter salad that’s bursting with seasonal flavors.
The Backstory: This is my all-time favorite salad to serve during the fall holidays. The[…]-READ-MORE>

Creamy potatoes layered over zesty beef in a savory tomato sauce make Mom’s Shepherd’s Pie comfort food the whole family will enjoy.
The Backstory: Shepherd Pie, is one of my mom’s Summer Specials. That is the only time she […]-READ-MORE>

Our light cinnamon coffee cake is moist, crumbly, and every bit as delicious as the full-fat version of the beloved classic.
The Backstory: Is there anything more inviting than the smell of a freshly-baked cinnamon coffee cake[…]-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>

Our cabbage soup with flanken recipe turns out a classic, slow-simmering soup with tender beef that simply shreds in the tangy broth.
The Backstory: I well remember my mother making cabbage soup with flanken. Usually she use[…]-READ-MORE>

There are many ways to make this classic side, but our crispy potato kugel is savory from green onions with a surprise topping that takes it over the edge!
The Backstory: This crispy potato kugel recipe was given to me when I[…]-READ-MORE>

Moist, slightly sweet, and with just a hint of texture, zucchini banana bread is a wonderful nosh with coffee, tea or tucked inside a lunch box.
The Backstory: I found this Zucchini Banana Bread recipe among my stash of old o[…]-READ-MORE>

Our homemade, old-fashioned white bread is a far cry from packaged white bread. It is so good, you’ll want to bake up two loaves and freeze an extra one.
The Backstory: What can I say about this classic old-fashioned white bre[…]-READ-MORE>

Classic twice-baked cookies dressed up with candied fruit. Jewish biscotti?
The Backstory: There are so many variation of these cookies. Everyone who has ever baked Mandel Bread, will tell you that theirs is the best. And […]-READ-MORE>