Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


A classic, old-time side that’s as delicious and flavorful as it ever was.
The Backstory: I was raised on Jewish soul foods. This included Stuffed Derma (Kishka), chopped liver, chicken soup, and a whole bunch of foods that to[…]-READ-MORE>

Tomato herring salad is an oldie but a goodie–a creamy dressing with savory seasoning and fresh herbs make this dish fresh, modern, and worth a second look.
The Backstory: How well I remember the oval can of Tomato Herring my […]-READ-MORE>

Aunt Alice’s Linzer Cookies will melt your heart! These gorgeous cut out cookies with their red centers and clouds of Confectioner’s sugar are just the beginning! They are light, buttery, and full of almond flavor. These are beaut[…]-READ-MORE>

Kosher beef sausages are savory and incredibly versatile for BBQ, casseroles, or boiled. Serve with all the fixings for a delicious lunch or casual dinner.
The Backstory: I never once bought sausages before I lived on Staten I[…]-READ-MORE>

Easy rice and orzo makes a perfect side dish for fish, chicken or beef. This simple dish absorbs the flavors of herbs, broth, and veggies.
The Backstory: Rice and orzo is a combination of pasta and rice. This delicious side di[…]-READ-MORE>

Microwave salmon is a quick and easy recipe that lets you prepare a proper meal in minutes without sacrificing flavor.
The Backstory: Believe it or not, microwave cooking can sometimes be as good as doing it the old-fashioned […]-READ-MORE>

Watch your guests devour this luscious and creamy cake–you won’t have a single slice left.
The Backstory: My girlfriend, Lorraine, swears by this cheesecake. She used to make it all the time. I have yet to sample hers, but sh[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: Just about every restaurant, delicatessen, wedding reception, dinner party or holiday gathering seems to have a fish offering these days, and most times, it’s a plain salmon dish. Well, who can get excited about th[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: I haven’t had roast duck in years. Whenever I see this on a menu I immediately think of my mother-in-law, Marcia. Marcia wasn’t the best cook in the world. She didn’t have to be. For the first 40 years of her[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: Oh yes, you know this one: this is the retro sweet potato casserole that Bubbie or Grandma or some fabulous aunt of yours made every single Thanksgiving or Chanukah that had Maraschino cherries and pineapple rings […]-READ-MORE>

Soy milk cream of mushroom soup is silky, delicious and perfect for those who follow Kosher, gluten-free, or lactose-free diets.
The Backstory: Most cream of mushroom soups recipes cannot be used for Kosher meals where meat or[…]-READ-MORE>

Bring back a taste of the old country with our Hungarian Goulash. This hearty dish will stick to your ribs warm you up on cold winter days.
The Backstory: Goulash is a type of stew made with meat and vegetables and when most p[…]-READ-MORE>