My Weight Loss Journey with Start Fresh: Introduction

by 8 Comments

Start Fresh - Week 1

I think most of you can relate to weight loss and all of its related struggles. Personally, this has been a big struggle for me for pretty much as long as I can remember. I am not among the few lucky people who can eat what I want and not see said calories in my clothes, or around my waist. It's been a struggle for forever, but it's been that much tougher since I started this blog. You might remember that I lost some weight in the summer and that I was really proud of that accomplishment. You see, I fought tooth and nail for every bit of that weight loss. I wasn't done then. I have more weight to lose. And hard as I tried, motivated as I have been, I haven't been successful enough. It's … [Read more...]

Wild Rice Pilaf

by 2 Comments

Wild Rice Pilaf on OvertimeCook.jpg

Wild rice pilaf is a healthy and flavorful side dish that's really easy to make! Whew. Last day of chanukah. It's been awesome, but I, for one, have had my share of fried foods. And parties. And fattening food. I'm ready for some real food. Some healthy food. Are you? Well if you're looking for something healthier, I've got a delicious new rice dish to share with you. It's kind of Thanksgiving themed, so I meant to share it last week. Then I got super busy with other posts, and totally didn't have a chance. But truthfully, is there ever a bad time for a delicious and healthy side dish? I didn't think so either! So try this...after that last bite of doughut! Wild Rice Pilaf By … [Read more...]

Mini Funnel Cakes with Strawberry Citrus Sauce

by 9 Comments

Funnel Cakes on OvertimeCook

Recreate a favorite amusement park treat at home with these delicious Mini Funnel Cakes. You won't believe how easy they are! So it appears that there's been an abundance of fried foods on this blog lately. My apologies to the dieters reading this, but you'll have to hang in there for another day or two. It's still Hanukkah and I'm still here with delicious fried treats for you. Don't worry, I'll be back soon with diet stuff. (Groan.) This recipe came about because as a kid who kept kosher, I would stare at the folks walking around the fairs and amusement parks with funnel cakes with a level of envy that I don't really know how to describe. Sure, there were lots of foods that were off … [Read more...]

Homemade Button Candy and a Review and Giveaway of Kids Cooking Made Easy

by 240 Comments

Homemade Button Candy on OvertimeCook

If you enjoyed the first two cookbooks in the Made Easy cookbook series, Passover Made Easy and Starters and Sides Made Easy, you're in for a real treat today because I am reviewing the latest book in the series: Kids Cooking Made Easy! Kids have been increasingly taking over the kitchen in recent years, and with amazing success (as evidenced by the wild success of MasterChef Junior). And now the hottest series in Kosher cooking has a brand new book geared at the younger set - just in time for Chanukah gifts for the wannabe young chef in your life! Want to win a copy? Scroll past the recipe for a giveaway! At a first glance:  As with the previous books in the series, authors Leah … [Read more...]

Butternut Squash and Apple Latkes

by 5 Comments

Butternut Squash and Apple Latkes on OvertimeCook

I'm super stoked to tell you about these Butternut Squash Latkes, but first we need to discuss this ginormous announcement I've been waiting to make! Before we move onto the fun stuff: due to some techy stuff, there were some posts/emails you may have missed. Make sure to check out the two fabulous posts from earlier in this week: Over 50 Donuts and Fried Desserts Recipes - the perfect list of links for your Hanukkah menu planning. Fried Ice Cream - The most delicious thing I ever ate. And it's easier than you think! The perfect Chanukah treat. Now. Finally. If you've viewing this on the blog, you may have already noticed something different. If you're viewing this in the feed or … [Read more...]

Fried Ice Cream

by 13 Comments

Fried Ice Cream on OvertimeCook

The ultimate fried treat is the one that sounds almost too good to be true: fried ice cream! You know how I describe to you, about once or twice a week, in as much detail as I can, delicious foods that I made, that I think you should make too? Sometimes it's really easy, sometimes less so. But this is the first time that I am sitting at my computer typing, deleting and retyping, completely at a loss for words. I want to describe fried ice cream to you, but how should I describe the best thing I ever ate? Ok, let's take a step back. I love ice cream. In my mind, it is never too late, too cold, to early or too soon to eat ice cream. So creating a recipe that improves upon what is … [Read more...]

Over 50 Donuts and Fried Desserts for Hanukkah

by 4 Comments

over 50 donuts and fried desserts for hanukkah on OvertimeCook

If you're in the midst of planning a Chanukkah bash, or simply looking for an exciting new dessert to serve this Hanukkah, you're gonna love what I have for you today! I have a roundup of over 50 different doughnut ideas (baked and fried!) plus a bunch of other delicious looking fried treats! Click through the links below to find the recipes. I've got it all sorted by type. Fried Donuts: Easy Homemade Yeast Donuts on OvertimeCook Double Lemon Glazed Donuts by Chocolate Moosey 5 Minute Donuts by CookKosher Strawberry Donut Holes by Lemons for Lulu Spudnuts (Potato Donuts) by Buns in my Oven Apple Cider Donuts by Cook Like a Champion  Boston Cream Donuts by Shugary … [Read more...]

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Maple Marshmallow Frosting

by 20 Comments

sweet potato cupcakes with maple marshmallow frosting on OvertimeCook

You know how people argue over whether the traditional thanksgiving sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows is too sweet for a side dish? Or maybe topping a casserole with candies isn't considered sophisticated enough cuisine for today's average consumer, aka food snob. Personally, I don't see the problem. Too sweet for a side dish? Uh, hello. Dessert. Duh. So simple, right? Enter these phenomenal cupcakes. Sweet potato, topping with marshmallow. Unmistakably thanksgiving. Unmistakably dessert. Unmistakably delicious. PS: did you think sweet potatoes and baking don't work together? Think again! They are delicious and go perfectly with the spices generally associated with fall … [Read more...]

Baked Mini Cookies and Cream Donuts

by 10 Comments

baked cookies and cream donuts on OvertimeCook

I have to admit, my feelings about baked donuts used to be very mixed. If you look doughnut up in the dictionary (and I sure did) you'll see that the definition reads: dough·nut noun -(ˌ)nət : a piece of sweet fried dough that is often shaped like a ring Notice the part where it says...fried? And notice how it totally doesn't say "baked"? Yeah, me too. And being a bit of a stickler for things like this, I really didn't like the idea of calling a baked dessert a donut. Or a doughnut. Then I went and did something that irreversibly changed my feelings about this issue. I created these donuts. They may be baked, but they're awesome on a whole new level. A level that kind of … [Read more...]

Thai Peanut Chicken Satay and a Review and Giveaway of The Prime Grill Cookbook

by 234 Comments

thai peanut chicken satay on overtimecook

If you keep kosher and live in the New York area, chances are, you've heard of The Prime Grill. This iconic kosher restaurant has been at the forefront of upscale kosher cuisine for over 10 years. And for those of us, like me, who have never been to this restaurant, they've released a beautiful new cookbook full of delicious recipes, including some signature dishes from Chef David Kolotkin. I'm super excited to review The Prime Grill Cookbook today! Scroll past my review for a sample recipe and a chance to WIN a copy! At a first glance:  Wow, now I really want to go eat in the prime grill! The food looks delicious and it's beautifully presented. Most importantly, the chef's desire to … [Read more...]