Celebrating Modern Jewish Living Through Food, Tradition, and Family


Kosher lamb stew is a flavorful one-pot wonder with fork-tender meat and veggies bathing in savory sauce. Just add fresh challah for dipping!
The Backstory: This is another comfort, one-pot meal. I remember my mom making thi[…]-READ-MORE>

A classic diner favorite: our lemon meringue pie has perfect crust, lemony filling and light meringue. What could be bad?
The Backstory: This is my all-time, absolute favorite pie in the world. In fact, this might be up there […]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: Another one of those classic buffet and party salads, comes the sweet and crunchy Carrot and Raisin Salad. Why didn’t I appreciate this masterpiece all those years ago when it showed up at nearly every family bris[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: The name says it all: The Reuben. If you’re a foodie, a New Yorker, or a Jew, you don’t need to hear another word. You hear “Reuben” and the world goes a little fuzzy as your brain has some kind of Pavolian respons[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: I confess: I’m fussy when it comes to potato salad (and coleslaw for that matter). It’s a New York thing. I’ve grown up around delis and good Jewish soul food, and so I’m hard-pressed to give a thumb’s up to a dece[…]-READ-MORE>

The Backstory: Recently I visited my cousin Clare’s home. She was very pleased to give me some of her recipes. She told me that she makes this soup often. The recipe is simple. I have wanted a potato soup recipe for a very lo[…]-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>

Buttery twist rolls turn out soft, slightly chewy, and delicious every time. They work for every meal and look beautiful on a Shabbat or holiday table.
The Backstory: This little bit of a heavenly recipe for buttery twist roll[…]-READ-MORE>

Our vegetarian western omelet is a delicious meat-free version of the classic recipe, and is perfect for breakfast, lunch or a light dinner.
The Backstory: One of the things New Yorker’s rely on (and grow frustrated with when […]-READ-MORE>

Just about the easiest (and most scrumptious) Hamantaschen recipe you’ll ever find.
The Backstory: Purim is a wonderful time of year – we dress up, make some noise and enjoy these delicious cookies. More of the Backstory aft[…]-READ-MORE>

My Aunt Sandy’s chocolate chip mandel bread is a true classic. This delicious biscotti-like cookie combines the very best of traditional Jewish baking with everyone’s favorite cookie for a no-fail dessert that’s perfect with coffe[…]-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>