Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


On Simchat Torah, Jews rejoice in the Torah and celebrate by dancing with the sacred scrolls. This holiday marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings and the beginning of the next cycle. Simchat Torah begins[…]-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>

Savory Swedish meatballs are served at so many Jewish simchas, you’d think we invented them! Our 20-minute recipe will have you turning them out like a pro.
The Backstory: Swedish meatballs are one of the world’s most popular […]-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>

These are not your bubbie’s prunes–they are sweeter and absolutely delicious!
The Backstory: I have a clear and fond memory of my grandparents at their kitchen table in Brooklyn, and my grandmother serving stewed fruit to my […]-READ-MORE>

Stuffed artichokes are a savory, filling, and elegant side dish and perfect for the vegetarian foodies at your table.
The Backstory: I’ve only eaten artichokes a few times. A variation of recipes have been in my files for deca[…]-READ-MORE>

Phyllis’s chicken soup turns out a perfectly-seasoned, delicate golden broth every time. This is is my go-to recipe for holiday cooking and Shabbat meals.
The Backstory: My mother-in-law hosts the most amazing (and I mean amaz[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: This simple Oven Roasted Potatoes side dish can be made with a variety of seasonings. Whatever suits your taste. But my taste for these spuds is usually rosemary and garlic. Somehow rosemary with it’s “woodsy” ar[…]-READ-MORE>

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: This is so easy and delicious to make. I live alone, and I look for recipes that take me little time and little prep. I also make this for my niece-in-law Phyllis. I try to vary my menu when she comes for dinne[…]-READ-MORE>

Mesclun greens with pears, dried cherries and candies walnuts is a beautiful fall and winter salad that’s bursting with seasonal flavors.
The Backstory: This is my all-time favorite salad to serve during the fall holidays. The[…]-READ-MORE>

Our Lemon Poppy Seed Loan is both sweet and tart and pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea, or as a kids’ snack in a lunchbox.
The Backstory: So here’s the thing: I don’t like poppy seed bagels (sorry, Dad), or poppy s[…]-READ-MORE>