You know how they say that you don't fully appreciate what you have until you don't have it anymore? Well I eat chicken for supper pretty much every night of my life, and I only really think about it once a year, during the nine days. (For my non Jewish readers, we are currently in a time period called The Nine Days (of mourning) in which many observant Jews traditionally don't eat meat or chicken, among other restrictions.) For most people, this isn't a huge deal. They pull out the fish dishes and eat those for a week. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but I despise fish. Seriously, can't touch it, can't serve it, can't even smell it. Dairy? Well sure, I love pasta as much as … [Read more...]
Grilled Vegetable and Pesto Panini
Grilled Vegetable and Pesto Panini is a healthy and summery lunch that only takes minutes to prepare! As a food blogger and recipe developer (does saying that make me sound pretentious? Cause I'm totally not pretentious, but I do have a baking column in a magazine and my mother likes to call me a professional food writer and food photographer which may or may not be getting to my head a bit.) Let's start over. As someone who writes recipes, I often wonder what the line is between basic cooking instructions and a recipe. Take last night's supper for example. I found a nice looking zucchini in my veggie bin, so I sliced it, tossed it with some olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper … [Read more...]
Pastrami Wrapped Caesar Chicken – Guest Post by Kitchen Tested
Remember when my sister got engaged and I made her a super gorgeous engagement party? Well she's getting married tonight! I know, it's crazy! My big sis is getting married. Anyway, while I'm off celebrating her big day, Melinda of Kitchen-Tested agreed to step in and share an incredible looking recipe with all of you. Although everything on her blog is strictly kosher, Melinda features recipes that are so innovative, you could easily think she doesn't have any restrictions. (Think Chicken with Red Velvet Waffles...I know, yum.) She also puts me to shame somewhat because her recipes feature step by step pictures (unlike mine!) which make it so much easier to make things like her fabulous … [Read more...]
Black Bean, Corn and Mango Quinoa Salad
Have you ever known that you had to do something, but you kept putting it off because you assumed it would be unpleasant? Then you finally bite the bullet and the task you were dreading turns out to be no big deal at all, or even, at best, a positive experience? For example, last week at work, a purchase order landed on my desk. I was super busy at the time. I glanced at it briefly and recognized it as coming from a rather problematic account of mine. I decided to get other stuff done meanwhile, and deal with the problem order when I had a few minutes. It sat on my desk over the weekend, and finally I got to it. I completed the order and sent a confirmation of it to my contact there, Ryan. … [Read more...]
Honey Mustard Chicken, a Review of Fresh and Easy Kosher Cooking, and a Giveaway!
Giveaway Closed I know, I know, another cookbook review, so soon after my last one! Considering my great love of cookbooks, you can imagine how thrilled I was to be given the chance to review another cookbook. Fresh and Easy Kosher Cooking is extra special to me, because it was written by the very talented Leah Schapira of Cook Kosher fame, someone I have gotten to know well since starting this blog. Her knowledge of flavors and foods never ceases to amaze me, and it definitely comes through in her cookbook. At a first glance: This book is not your mother's old-fashioned kosher cookbook. This cookbook has eye catching recipes, international influences, and innovative recipes that you … [Read more...]
Spinach and Chickpea Veggie Burgers
If you have been reading this blog for a while, you will know that I adore making desserts of every kind. Cakes? Cookies? Cupcakes? Check, check and check. Want to make candy? We've got you covered there too. (Teaser: stay tuned for another candy recipe coming up soon!) And of course, my chocolate category is kinda overloaded. And I know that people love my dessert treats, so I keep baking them. But I get such overwhelmingly positive feedback on real food recipes, that I can't neglect that aspect of this blog either. Remember how I made these awesome veggie burgers a while ago? Well so many people told me how they loved them, so I knew I had to make some more veggie burgers. Ever had … [Read more...]
Guest Post: Caprese Panini
I am spending the majority of my (non-work) waking hours in the kitchen, baking up a bunch of the most amazing treats you've ever seen! I can't wait to share them with you, but that requires time- something I don't have this week. Instead, my friend Tova B. is showing you folks how to make a delicious looking Panini. I dunno about all of you, but after reading this I have been craving Panini. I can't wait to try this recipe! If you want to contact Tova you can email me and I will forward it on to her. _________________________________________________________________ I love this recipe because it really is all about your own taste. The ingredients are simple, but the measurements of them … [Read more...]
Barbecue Beef Ribs with Homemade Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to share this recipe with y'all. Partly because it's every bit as mouthwatering, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth, and delightfully messy as a good rib should be. And partly because I made these for my Purim Seudah (party) and they were an absolutely smashing success. There were heaps of good food at this party, courtesy of various family friends and neighbors, but somehow nobody could stop talking about -or eating- these ribs. It's a good thing, too. I stressed over these ribs for ages. Starting with the sauce. Of course, I couldn't be content buying a bottle of sauce and pouring it over these ribs. No, I had to make my own. And naturally, after reading … [Read more...]
Spinach Stuffed Roasted Chicken
Let's talk for a couple of minutes about memory. No, not memories, as in I spent quality time with my family and formed lovely memories. I mean digital memory. I know I'm quite young, but no topic in the world does more to make me feel like an old grandma than this one. Let's go back and talk about my first encounter with digital media. It was seven years ago when I first purchased a digital camera. By today's standards it was a piece of junk, but in those days it was a top of the line camera. It had 5 megapixels and came with a 32 megabyte card. After spending a bundle on a camera, I didn't want to drop the additional cash on a larger card. I opted instead to use my 32 MB card and … [Read more...]
Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers
As the clock struck midnight, we ushered in a new year. And with it, a brand new resolve to eat healthier and watch our weight. While this may be sadly short lived for many of us, it's still the first day of January, and the proverbial ink is barely dry on the list of New Years resolutions. Posting a cookie recipe today feels a little cruel, doesn't it? (Just) for today, I will put my delicious baked goods on the back burner and share with you one of my favorite healthy recipes. Here's what happened. It was late one night when I realized I hadn't prepared my lunch for the following day. I was going to make my easiest, go-to recipe, roasted chic peas. I turned my pantry upside down looking … [Read more...]