When I was given the opportunity to review Herbivoracious, by Michael Natkin, I knew it would be perfect for the nine days. Remember how I said I can't eat meat all week? Well what better time to review a vegetarian cookbook? None, I say. I loved these quinoa cakes, and enjoyed this cookbook! At first glance: There is such a wide variety of recipes in here, you wouldn't imagine that this book is vegetarian. The pictures are beautiful and eye-catching, and best of all, inviting. Some features I liked: You would think that there wouldn't be a wide variety of sections in a vegetarian cookbook (no meat, poultry and fish sections) but the cookbook was very cleverly organized. Main course … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Dijon Roasted Broccoli
Have you ever read something that was so ludicrous, so insane, so out of place, that you read and re-read it before you were able to figure out that you aren't the crazy one? If you have never had the pleasure of encountering something quite this hilariously crazy, let me tell you about what happened to me last week. It's started out pretty normal. A request for a quote came to my company, it landed on my desk. I briefly noticed that it wasn't from a customer I recognized, so I stuck it on the back of my pile of work. I finally got to this quote request, and started to read a list of items. Before we go forward, I'd like to note, for those who don't know this yet, that I sell … [Read more...]
Kasha with Onions and Mushrooms…and a Cookbook Review
Often when I read cookbooks, I make mental notes such as "I'll make this when I have lots of spare time" or "I'll make this when I have guests and don't want to serve something too dietetic." Rarely do I read cookbooks thinking "I must make this!" and "Wow I really want to try that!" Those of you that have been reading this blog for a while know this already, but for those who don't, let me explain how I cook: super fattening and over-indulgent desserts which I don't touch because I am perpetually on a diet and then I make relatively healthy real food, which is what I eat because I am perpetually on a diet. Pay attention. Back to cookbooks, here's why that was important to know: I finally … [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...]
Passover Apple Crumb Kugel
I'm exhausted right now. Want to know why? Here's a partial list: Doughless potato knishes, cabbage kugel, chocolate chip cookies, crispy shallot breaded chicken, marinated almond crusted chicken, butternut squash kugel, and of course, apple kugel. All for passover. All made after I got home from work the last two nights. I am a little breathless thinking about the multitudes of food I still need to cook, but I had to stop and post my apple kugel recipe. I searched and searched every corner of the internet for a proper Apple Crumb Kugel for Passover, and came up empty. I am sure one exists, but I couldn't find it. And so I set out to make up my own recipe. I am not simply happy with this … [Read more...]
Basil Potato Salad
Are you sick of hearing about Passover/Pesach yet? Well bad news folks, Passover is not for another week, so y0u've got another two weeks of hearing about my Passover cooking. On the other hand, if you think it's bad, imagine what kind of separation anxiety I am feeling for my best friend, er, I mean my Kitchen Aid. I've been searching the web for interesting Passover recipe ideas, and I definitely am not coming up short. There's a plethora of recipes out there, each one out-doing the next in terms of creativity and non-passover-like qualities. But I think the best Passover recipes are the simple things, the ones you can make by default, because they happen not to contain any grains. (Such … [Read more...]