Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


The Backstory:Whether you call it Sweet potatoes or Yams, potatoes of every shape, texture, and color have been around for eons. Practically every culture has its own way of preparing them, from the most rustic recipes (boiled,[…]-READ-MORE>

Giant popovers deliver a true wow factor to a holiday table. They’re huge golden rolls that are flaky, light, and with a perfect touch of chewiness.
The Backstory: I can find no trace of anything whatsoever that links cultural […]-READ-MORE>

Creamy deviled eggs are a classic appetizer or first course for brunch, lunch, or a holiday meal.
The Backstory: For as long as I can remember, deviled eggs were one of those boring staple foods that showed up on the buffet ta[…]-READ-MORE>

Rich, decadent, and a totally indulgent dessert when you really want to go all out.
The Backstory: Bread pudding is a rich, hearty, decadent dessert that is thought to be borne out of the age old question of what to do with le[…]-READ-MORE>

Classic butter pastry is rolled tight with almonds, raisins, and cinnamon.
The Backstory: As far as strudels go, this version is a little more refined than your standard fruit-filled strudel. Oh sure, it tempts you (as do all […]-READ-MORE>

Cheesy artichoke dip is gooey, creamy, and golden brown right out of the oven. Guests say this dip is the life of the party!
The Backstory: When I met my good friend Kerri, little did I know she came with an added bonus: he[…]-READ-MORE>

Nutty cream cheese balls are a decadent, make-ahead party app that’s creamy, crunchy, and perfect every time.
Backstory: This fast and easy recipe is another one that I borrowed from a friend. If any of my friends are reading […]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: This delicious, fresh salad originated in the Middle East and has become a popular and welcome staple in many supermarkets and homes in the U.S. and around the world. When people migrated to other countries, thei[…]-READ-MORE>

Chicken with apricots and carrots is a comforting one-pot dish that’s perfect for company, holidays, or Shabbat dinner.
The Backstory: I recently celebrated Rosh Hashanah 2016 with family and friends at my daughter and my son-[…]-READ-MORE>

Whether you prefer the chocolate or the vanilla side, you’ll love making these cookies at home!
The Backstory: What can I possibly say about Black and Whites except what anyone who has grown up with these cookies already feels[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: When I think of borscht, I immediately picture my grandfather slurping up spoonfuls of this deep magenta soup, oblivious to the sounds of his own enjoyment, and smacking his lips with a satisfied “aahh” every few s[…]-READ-MORE>

Grandma’s poppyseed cookies are thin, crisp, and buttery, and melt right in your mouth!
The Backstory: To say that my husband loves his Grandma’s poppyseed cookies would be an understatement. He loves them and he loves them de[…]-READ-MORE>