Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


This velvety sweet and savory soup is the perfect first course for Thanksgiving or any festive fall meal. Add some warm crusty bread and enjoy.
The Backstory: Let me just come right out and say it: I am not a soup lover. More […]-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>

A classic New England favorite, our baked scrod is flaky, light, and perfectly seasoned.
The Backstory: This simple recipe for Baked Scrod can be adopted for most fish dishes. Whenever I visit my daughter and her family in And[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: Whenever I make this side dish, I am reminded of the Jewish holidays. In the early years of my life, my mom always had sweet potatoes as a side dish for every special occasion. Truth be told, the sweet potatoes mo[…]-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>

There are many ways to make this classic side, but our crispy potato kugel is savory from green onions with a surprise topping that takes it over the edge!
The Backstory: This crispy potato kugel recipe was given to me when I[…]-READ-MORE>

Buttery pastry and sweet and nutty filling make these Hungarian pastry crescents melt in your mouth.
The Backstory: These delicious little cookies are very similar to rugelach but their texture is a little more dense. Also, un[…]-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>

These delicious tarts are so simple to make and they turn out the most delicious summer dessert. Puff Pastry Plum Tarts also work with apples, peaches, and berries and will become one of your favorite go-to desserts.
The Backst[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: I had never cooked a good, or for that matter, a standard roast beef that was edible. It was either too well done or under cooked. When it was over cooked I would tell my hubby “let’s have something light” for di[…]-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>

Rice stuffed chicken is a deliciously savory main dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, company, or special Shabbat celebrations.
The Backstory: This recipe comes to me by way of my friend, Lorraine. Lorraine is one of […]-READ-MORE>