Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


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>

Our classic carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is the only carrot cake recipe you’ll ever need. It’s decadent, moist and packed with raisins, nuts, and flavor in every single bite.
The Backstory: Let’s be honest: classic c[…]-READ-MORE>

This is our go-to, no-fail recipe for marinated skirt steak and it’s absolutely to-die-for delicious when cooked to perfection on the grill.
The Backstory: Whenever I think of marinated skirt steak I am reminded of beautiful s[…]-READ-MORE>

Exactly what mandel bread should be: crisp, sweet, and golden brown.
The Backstory: I met Lorraine about a year ago. She was a fill in at a Mah Jongg game. When you play Mah Jongg (or any game) with the same group of girls[…]-READ-MORE>

Chocolate fondue just screams romance, fun, or party time! It’s easy to make and so much fun to eat. Dip fruit, pound cake, marshmallows, or even macaroons!
The Backstory: Chocolate fondue is one of the fanciest yet easiest de[…]-READ-MORE>

Creamy, rich, and delicious, you’ll never believe this dessert is low-cal and low fat.
The Backstory: Making flan may seem intimidating at first but it’s just as easy as making a pie. There’s a base, a filling, and a simple to[…]-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>

Our Rosh Hashanah honey cake is sweet and moist with a touch of whiskey for incredible depth of flavor. This is the perfect ending to your holiday meal.
The Backstory: Sponge cake usually surpasses honey cake in popularity as […]-READ-MORE>

It might not be Jewish food, but who doesn’t love this classic dish?
The Backstory: One of the first things I learned to cook after I was married was tomato sauce. I had never cooked Italian food so I had to get detailed infor[…]-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>

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>

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>