Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


The Backstory: Since I hadn’t made this dish in decades, I reached out to one of my Mah Jongg players for a good recipe for Salmon Croquettes. They unanimously led me to Debbie. Debbie likes to cook and I understand, prepares s[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: This rice pilaf recipe is so rich in seasonings and all the veggies that makes it a dish I prepare all the time. I was interested in learning about the main ingredient, rice. I decided to do some research. I fin[…]-READ-MORE>

Baked brie in puff pastry combine with tangy apricot preserves in this decadent (and spectacular) appetizer your guests will devour!
The Backstory: This recipe has absolutely no tie whatsoever to any Jewish folklore, story, or[…]-READ-MORE>

Almond-crusted pound cake gives plain old pound cake a crunchy, nutty makeover in this easy, delicious recipe.
The Backstory: I have always loved vanilla cakes, good homemade gold cakes, and pound cakes in particular for the s[…]-READ-MORE>

A foolproof, go-to recipe for cakes and cupcakes-it never fails!
The Backstory: Baking is by far, my favorite thing to do in the kitchen. It might have something to do with growing up in my dad’s bagel bakery, surrounded by ca[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: An age old question that Jews will ask when being served this dish “Is it kugel or is it pudding?” And everyone has an opinion. It is called whatever you want it to be, depending on your age. If you come from a […]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: When you really want to shake things up at the holidays, these matzoh balls are just the thing to do it. Three deliciously flavored–and easy to make varieties–spinach, turmeric, and tomato–are simply gorgeous to[…]-READ-MORE>

Invite your friends over for this delicious aromatic cake and a steaming cup of coffee.
The Backstory: Gloria and I met in 1986. We were each on a vacation with our husbands in the Dominican Republic. I must write about the […]-READ-MORE>

Our old-fashioned jelly doughnuts are puffy, golden, and bursting with sweet jelly, just like the sufganiyot of your childhood.
The Backstory: What would Chanukah be without our beloved old-fashioned jelly doughnuts? I can viv[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: I vividly remember my mother preparing Borscht. But instead of serving this as a soup, she served it to my dad in a glass. My mom did not make this from scratch. She usually had a cold bottle of store-brought b[…]-READ-MORE>

Everyone’s favorite Passover treat, our easy coconut macaroons are sweet and chewy with a hint of vanilla and crunch.
The Backstory: This easy coconut macaroon recipe will have you baking this classic Passover treat like a mas[…]-READ-MORE>

Dense, rich, nutty, and chewy are just a few words to describe our finger-licking date nut squares. They’re easy-to-make and bake in less than 30 minutes.
The Backstory: My friend Dini told me these date nut square are one of […]-READ-MORE>