Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


No matter how fancy or casual your party, the fun doesn’t start without homemade pigs in a blanket–a traditional fan favorite!
The Backstory: Let’s be honest with each other: no matter how fancy the shindig or how high-end the […]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: I was looking for a new chicken recipe for my family so I went to my girlfriend Elaine, whom I considered the ‘mayor’ of our neighborhood. I told her I needed something a little different to get out of our chicken […]-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: Stuffed peppers is one of those dishes that can be served in a variety of settings. Serve it for lunch or dinner with crusty bread (to mop up the delicious sauce). Stuffed Peppers also looks beautiful on a buffet t[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: This delicious sauce is one of the great French sauces that is actually a derivative of another French sauce: Hollandaise. Bearnaise uses slightly different ingredients than Hollandaise and although both may see[…]-READ-MORE>

Chocolate and fruit are a marriage made in heaven.
The Backstory: Chocolate-covered strawberries are one of the easiest, most elegant, and definitely one of the most romantic desserts, hands down. They also take just minutes t[…]-READ-MORE>

The ultimate in creamy comfort food–there won’t be a spoonful left!
The Backstory: There’s mac and cheese and then there’s mac and cheese. This recipe is the latter. This is one of those dishes that’s not just for grown ups: […]-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>

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>

Your favorite holiday meal, only lighter and a healthier (but just as juicy!)
The Backstory: Who doesn’t love a moist, tender brisket at the holidays? No one, I know! Well now you can have your delicious brisket and not feel g[…]-READ-MORE>

My son made this for me a few years ago. It is absolutely delicious–light, flaky and perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. I find that this method of preparing Salmon has become my favorite way of indulging in this delicio[…]-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>