Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


The Backstory: When you really want to shake things up at the holidays, these matzoh balls are just the thing to do it. Three deliciously flavored–and easy to make varieties–spinach, turmeric, and tomato–are simply gorgeous to[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: My neighbor Martha B. let me borrow her stash of recipes, some of which were given to her by a dear friend before he died. Oh, how I wish we knew how he came to possess them or the stories behind them. The first […]-READ-MORE>

Nutty cream cheese balls are a decadent, make-ahead party app that’s creamy, crunchy, and perfect every time.
Backstory: This fast and easy recipe is another one that I borrowed from a friend. If any of my friends are reading […]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: Most of the meals I prepare are basic family dinners. But when I really want to “put on the dogs” (old fashion saying) for guests, I make several different main course meat dishes. More of the Backstory af[…]-READ-MORE>

Fall fruits and warm cinnamon combine in this classic but lighter version of apple cranberry cobbler. Be ready to swoon.
The Backstory: This fruit-filled cobbler is a perfect dessert for the High Holidays, Thanksgiving, Chanuk[…]-READ-MORE>

Great for breakfast or even dinner but don’t forget the toasted bagel.
The Backstory: There isn’t a Jewish mother alive who hasn’t perfected the art of the scrambled egg, if only for the sake of another Jewish mom favorite: th[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: What a funny name for a sauce. Nowhere does a horse have anything to do with this sauce. Radish does not need any explanation. The only logic that I can think of is when the radishes were harvested some farmer […]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: I have eaten fried fish sandwiches all my life. I’ve had it at fast food restaurants, in a posh hotel (that shall remain nameless), but the best place I ever had this type of sandwich was at a roadside place c[…]-READ-MORE>

Baked brie in puff pastry combine with tangy apricot preserves in this decadent (and spectacular) appetizer your guests will devour!
The Backstory: This recipe has absolutely no tie whatsoever to any Jewish folklore, story, or[…]-READ-MORE>

An old-fashioned dessert gets an elegant, modern makeover.
The Backstory: One of my favorite childhood memories is stopping off at a bakery not too far from my father’s own bagel bakery in Borough Park, Brooklyn to pick up a c[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: This hearty stew always brings me back to living in New York in the bleak, cold winters months. This easy to make dish, with the broth surrounding the beef and the veggies with their savory seasonings is a delight […]-READ-MORE>

Fresh strawberry pie is a gorgeous, lush, wholesome and creamy dessert that’s as luscious as it looks. Better yet–it won’t blow your diet.
The Backstory: This show-stopper dessert (seriously, how gorgeous is it?!) is actually[…]-READ-MORE>