My thoughts on Jewish food.
Mujadara, or lentils and rice, was always appreciated as a homey, satisfying lunch by my children. Packed with flavor, and easy to make, it was a favorite of mine as well. We often ladled the lentils over mashed potatoes, instead of mixing them into rice, as is traditional. Then we’d top the whole with a …
I’ve always had a knack for mashed potatoes. My kids say it, my guests say it, I’ve come to accept it as the truth: my mashed potatoes are da bomb. I credit this fact to my dear mother, who taught me all her secrets for perfect mashed potatoes, every time. Here is the step by …
The Covid-19 pandemic found many of us discovering the joys of bread baking, stuck as we were with lots of time on our hands. One of the quickest and easiest breads you can make is the Italian flat bread known as focaccia. Focaccia bread is pretty much the same dough you’d use to make pizza, …
In the dead of winter during the coronavirus pandemic, we can’t help but look back on the days when we could hop onto a plane and take a vacation in a warmer clime. Just thinking about being somewhere warm made me think of this terrific summer salad that uses pungent mint leaves and ripe, farm-fresh …
When we serve fried chicken, candied yams are a must-have side dish. The sweetness of the sweet potatoes plays off the saltiness of the crisp chicken, enhancing the flavors of both. If you like salted caramels, you’ll get exactly what I mean. I have tried lots of candied sweet yam recipes, but this one is …
Feeling lazy, like you don’t want to cook after a long, hard day at work? Sloppy Joes are easy to put together and well loved by all. Serve with a side of coleslaw and some potato chips and you’re done. Sloppy Joes Yield: 6-8 servings Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium sweet onion, chopped …
Growing up, I had a thing about pound cake. Every time my mother served it for dessert, I’d smash my fist into my slice of cake and declare, “Pound cake!!” That is not how this dense, moist cake got its name, however. The original recipe called for a pound of each of the major ingredients: …
Somehow I always forget about farfel, then bingo—something jogs my memory when I’m wondering which starchy side to serve with a Shabbos meal and I remember farfel. I don’t know why that should be, because farfel is delicious and should be unforgettable, especially when well-prepared! Perhaps it’s because we eat pasta all the time during …
During football season, or just because it’s cold outside, it’s wonderful to have a big pot of chili on hand to feed a crowd. It’s filling and leaves your mouth tingly with Mexican spices. Even better, the more you reheat it, the better it tastes. Don’t be afraid to double this recipe. It also freezes …
No idea where my dear mother found this recipe, but it’s our absolutely favorite cookie bar in the entire world. It has everything: salty, sweet, chewy, and crunchy, all wrapped up in one delicious bite. And believe it or not, people who hate coconut, love Tom Thumbs, though coconut is a major ingredient in this …