Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


The Backstory: There are so many recipes for Brisket that you could probably make a different one every day and never get tired of indulging in this meat. Whether it is baked in the oven or on the stove top, the recipes are end[…]-READ-MORE>

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>

Braised short ribs are tender, savory, hearty, and the meat just falls off the bone. A perfect Shabbat or holiday meal.
The Backstory: Braised short ribs sound much more complicated to cook than they really are and truth be to[…]-READ-MORE>

Green Beans Almondine is an elegant side dish that takes minutes to prepare and adds instant panache to your dinner table.
The Backstory: This elegant, crispy and flavorful side has to be one of the easiest vegetable dishes […]-READ-MORE>

A crispy potato layer tops flaky white fish in this delicious dinner entree.
The Backstory: The first time I saw this recipe I knew I had to make it. It was everything I enjoyed eating. It’s fried and made with fish and po[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: My cousin Rhonda, who resides in Canada, gave me this recipe. It is from her sister, Ricky. The story of my Canadian relatives go back for decades. My grandfather and Ricky’s grandmother were brother and sister[…]-READ-MORE>

Vegetarian chopped liver tastes close enough to the real thing that even Bubbie would approve!
The Backstory: I found this recipe by accident. I was digging through my many folders and notebooks of recipes, news clippings of r[…]-READ-MORE>

Rich, decadent, and a totally indulgent dessert when you really want to go all out.
The Backstory: Bread pudding is a rich, hearty, decadent dessert that is thought to be borne out of the age old question of what to do with le[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: From the first moment I set foot in Paris in the winter of 1997, I loved it the way everyone who falls in love with the City of Love (and Light) falls in love. Deeply, madly, insanely. More of the Backstory after t[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: Lamb chops are one of my favorite meats. I don’t know of anyone who would disagree with me. Except my husband. You see, he was raised on baby lamb chops. That is the one food he asked me to never cook. He co[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: I cannot remember a time when this velvety soup was not served for a holiday dinner. My mom never measured anything, and here I am trying to convert her favorite answer to my question, “how much of this or that” […]-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>