Healthy Crockpot Turkey Meatballs are a fantastic make-ahead meal that's good for you! Y'know what the worst part about commuting is? It's getting home from work at 7:30 pm on a cold, dark winter night. I step off the bus into the cold air, and all I want to do is curl up in bed in my favorite (and super cozy, albeit hole-y) gap sweatshirt, sipping on a hot drink of some sort. But then I remember that my night starts when I get home at 7:30, so instead I eat some supper and get to work. And obviously, by work, I mean baking, writing and photographing. One thing, however, is for sure. And that is that there's no way on earth I'm gonna start cooking when I get home. Not on a … [Read more...]
Chicken, Vegetable and Barley Soup and a review of The Bais Yaakov Cookbook
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...]
Photography Friday: Poor Man’s Remote Shutter Release
Sometimes I think that photography has got to be the most expensive hobby in the world. When I used to shoot pictures with my iPhone, I had almost no photography related expenses. There were a couple of props here and there, and that's it. Now, I dropped a bundle on a camera and a fabulous macro lens. It didn't end there. Next I bought lights, a tripod, spare batteries and memory cards. And my wish list just doesn't end. I'm not complaining. I know that there's no comparison between the shots I take now and the old iPhone pictures. But in this chain of "well I got this so now I need that" is tough and I for one am happy to learn money saving tricks. This one is super simple, courtesy of a … [Read more...]
Fresh Garlic Pita Wedges- Guest Post by More Quiche, Please
The wedding was beautiful, my big sister is married, and I am busy preparing her a big shindig. The final party of her week of sheva brachos. For those unfamiliar with this term, it's basically a week of parties following the wedding, generally hosted by family and friends of the bride and groom. Read more here. While I prepare this party, I have another fabulous guest poster. I have been a fan of Tali, over at More Quiche, Please for ages, pretty much as long as I have been blogging. Tali not only keeps kosher, but is a vegetarian, so her recipes are completely different and exciting. She has a wide variety of salads such as this delicious looking marinated eggplant salad, a great bread … [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: Ghreiba (Tunisian Chickpea Cookies)
The party is finally over, and I am in recovery mode. No kitchen work for me. Even baking some cookies doesn't sound appealing right now. I know, isn't that shocking? I never thought I'd reach this stage, but it has happened. Luckily, my friend Amy Jacobs stepped in to guest post a great looking- and totally creative!- cookie recipe. I got to know Amy through twitter. And with a handle like @I_am_cookielady I knew we would be great friends. I, after all, am known as the cookie girl! Amy runs a home baked cookie company called Cookie Comfort where she sells some delectable sounding cookies. For the bakers in the audience, please scroll down for a delicious sounding cookie recipe. I am … [Read more...]
Marinated Tri-Color Pepper Salad
I've mentioned before how that simplest things in life are often the best, right? Well, this is one of those best, simple things. Marinated Tri-Color Pepper Salad Ingredients: 1 red pepper 1 yellow pepper 1 orange pepper 2 scallions 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 Tablespoon Vinegar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon sugar or sweetener Pinch black pepper Instructions: Dice the peppers and place in a small bowl. Slice the scallions very thin, and add to bowl. Add the oil, vinegar, salt, sugar (if desired) and pepper. Toss to evenly coat everything. Place in fridge and leave to sit for a couple of hours or overnight. Note: you don't have to use all three … [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 … [Read more...]
Spicy Baked Zucchini Sticks
Spicy Baked Zucchini Sticks are bursting with flavor and so easy to make! ***Before we start – have you signed up for my email newsletters? You’ll get new recipes, cooking tips, menu suggestions, kitchen deals – and more! Click here to signup.*** Last week I discussed how a certain food has come to be associated with a memory. Little did I imagine that just a couple of days later, I would accidentally stumble on to another food with deep memories attached. It started when I saw zucchini on sale at my local grocery store. I wasn't sure what to do with them, but I bought a big bag and decided that I would figure it out. I started to cut them into wedges, probably out of laziness, … [Read more...]
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
The other day I was talking to one of my coworkers about...what else? Cookies. He was mentioning his preferences in cookie flavors, when he made a shocking statement. "I don't like chocolate. And I don't like peanut butter." I opened my mouth in shock and horror. "My wife," he continued, "always says-" and at the exact same moment as he finished his wife's statement, I was verbalizing the exact same sentiment. "What is wrong with you?!" This may be insulting to some, especially to said coworker who had such nice things to say about my blog, but I truly believe that it's difficult to be happy without chocolate. Throw in some peanut butter? That's pretty much bliss. Assuming you are among … [Read more...]