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>
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>
The Backstory: Every Passover, I go in search of delicious, flavorful desserts that won’t disappoint or fall flat (no pun intended) due to their lack of flour and leavening agents, and every year, I find myself digging out my sam[…]-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>
Roasted bananas are the secret ingredient that make this bread moist, sweet, and one of our top picks.
The Backstory: This is my all-time favorite banana bread recipe. I’m not even doing it justice by calling it banana bread. […]-READ-MORE>
The Backstory: For over 50 years I have been making this casserole and I know that many, many people make it for Thanksgiving, but my father loved it all year round. I have prepared this for almost every holiday dinner that he at[…]-READ-MORE>
Grandma Gertie’s almond cake is an old-fashioned cake that’s light with note of almond and lemon. This gorgeous cake is perfect with coffee or tea.
The Backstory: Today, Mother’s Day 2017, my mother gave me a beautiful Mother'[…]-READ-MORE>
You can have your cake and not feel guilty about it with our scrumptious enlightened berry cheesecake. It takes just like the real thing!
The Backstory: Cheesecake is always one of those desserts that people think they can’t h[…]-READ-MORE>
Golden pastry surrounds a savory filling in this classic potato knish recipe. Perfect for party apps, holidays, or family get-togethers!
The Backstory: Oh, how I love a classic potato knish. I’m sorry (in advance) to everyone […]-READ-MORE>
These easy-to-make white bread cheese blintzes are loaded with cinnamon, nostalgia, and will bring you back to your childhood.
The Backstory: When I think of white bread cheese blintzes I am immediately transformed back to the […]-READ-MORE>
One of our classic dairy dishes, perfect as is or topped with fresh fruit or pie topping.
The Backstory: One of my favorite Jewish treats is the blintz – the very thought of these paper-thin crepes filled with a creamy chees[…]-READ-MORE>
The Backstory: Chicken is chicken. It seems as though there must be zillions of recipes out there. Baked, fried, boiled, braised etc. Get the picture? Practically every culture has their favorites. More of the Backstory after[…]-READ-MORE>