Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


The Backstory: I am probably one of the few people I know that is not crazy about pasta. I do know why; It is not that I don’t like pasta, I just am not a lover of tomatoes, and most pasta dishes call for some variation of red […]-READ-MORE>

Savory turkey meatloaf is a lighter alternative to beef, but is still moist, juicy, and full of delicious flavor and texture.
The Backstory: Can you say comfort food like Mom used to make?! Our savory turkey meatloaf can be […]-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: Roasted chicken with apricots is a Jewish fan favorite that often graces our Shabbat table as well as our Seder gatherings. My mother made this recipe for years, as have many of my friends and relatives, but cookin[…]-READ-MORE>

Beautiful to look at and luscious inside, Gloria’s Jam Roll Cake is a gorgeous dessert that your guest will devour. Be prepared to hand over the recipe!
The Backstory: My friend Gloria gave me this recipe for this fabulous cak[…]-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>

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>

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>

The Backstory: Chicken can be found in practically every culture and cuisine throughout the world, and in Jewish culture, chicken plays a special role in so many of our observances, menus, and customs. From our beautiful and maje[…]-READ-MORE>

Smoked salmon and caviar toasts are a delectable, elegant appetizer that will wow your guests and are easy to make. What more could you ask for?
The Backstory: The first time I had caviar was at famed The Russian Tea Room in t[…]-READ-MORE>

Poached pears in fruit juice is an elegant ending to any holiday or Shabbat meal and it takes only minutes to make.
The Backstory: This delicious dessert is a perfect choice for the High Holidays, a special occasion, or anytim[…]-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>