I'm super excited to be reviewing another cookbook today. I've got a bunch of books on my shelf, waiting to be written about, but this one is extra exciting because I heard so much about this book lately! I'm sure that all of my Kosher readers have heard about the Bais Yaakov Cookbook. There's been a lot of hype in the kosher world about it. I couldn't help wondering: was that earned? I finally got a chance to find out! At first glance: This cookbook looks really impressive. It's a large, hardcover book with pictures that are breathtakingly beautiful. There's a wide variety of recipes, all arranged clearly and intuitively. My first thought as I flipped through this book the first … [Read more...]
Pastrami Stuffed Chicken (Capons)
Every now and then, one of my recipes puts me in a weird position. A while ago, I made a delicious meat dish. I carefully measured the ingredients so I could post it here, and then, before I posted it, I thought of googling the cut of meat I was using. The cut was, as called in kosher butcher shops, minute steak. Kosher cooks will be very familiar with this type of steak. However, according to google (and I assume most of my non-kosher readers), minute steak is a thin cut of steak that can be grilled in a minute or less. It's a logical term, I must admit, but the minute steak I know usually involves about 200 minutes of cooking at a low temperature. Needless to say, I didn't post the recipe. … [Read more...]
Sukkos Recipe Roundup
Here's what I was supposed to do yesterday. I was supposed to photograph this amazing appetizer recipe and post it for you folks. But then I got home from work at 7:30. You read that right. Work. On a Sunday. I don't recommend it. I got cooking right away, and at 2 in the morning I was wise enough to realize that posting the recipe at that point would have been a really bad idea. So I went to sleep for like, four whole hours. Anyhoo. Here's a handy dandy list of stuff you should totally be making for Sukkot. They are a sampling of recipes from the archives, so feel free to dig around for even more! New recipes are a'comin, I promise. Wait, I don't. I have so much left to do! But I really do … [Read more...]
Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken
In my head, there's a whole post written up about how this may not be a very fancy or creative recipe, but I wanted to share it anyway, because this is my absolute favorite, go-to recipe for grilled chicken. But I am still recovering somewhat from this nasty combination of a cold, cough, strep and a sinus infection, so the whole complicated post isn't going to be written. (You might have also noticed that I didn't post a Photography Friday post, for similar reasons.) Instead, I am going to say very simply that this recipe is delicious. It's super easy to make. It's totally versatile. I cut this chicken up into little cubes and make a salad, or make a sandwich with the chicken and some creamy … [Read more...]
Mini Quinoa Pizzas
You know what the problem is with typing up blog posts when you are rushed and tired? You forget some totally important things. For example, I was exhausted when I finished up my review of Herbivoracious. So exhausted, in fact, that I forgot to post the whole big teaser I had planned. What I meant to write was that you should note the recipe closely because I have another awesome recipe coming up that is based on that one. Here's how it happened. Those savory quinoa cakes were delicious right out of the frying pan, but once they were cool they needed a little something. I dipped them in some tomato sauce, then the flash of brilliance struck. Pizza. On my quinoa cakes. You might think … [Read more...]
Spaghetti Cheese and Spinach Pie
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 … [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 … [Read more...]