I just realized how brief my posts have been lately. I mean, I've tried really hard to post recipes, but I've been posting just a line or two about said recipes, and somewhere in the delusion section of my brain, I've convinced myself that I've got this huge and adoring fan base that likes to read my rambling thoughts and random useless observations. Yeah. So I feel like I've disappointed my fans. And by fans I obviously mean my mother and the other lady who sits in her office who like to stalk my foodgawker profile. Ahem. So I've disappointed you (and now we've established who "you" is) with my lack of writing. So I'm gonna write now. Partly because I'm on the train and reception is bad, … [Read more...]
Mini Apple and Honey Tarts and a Rosh Hashanah Blog Party
Giveaway Closed! It's hard to believe that this entire party was conceptualized and came to this point in such a short time! About a week and a half ago, on Twitter, my friend Jessie (who happens to be one of my food photography heroes!) and I were talking about the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah, and how we should do something fun to celebrate the occasion on our blogs. I don't think at that point that we imagined that it would be this big or popular, but here's the scoop: What: A Rosh Hashanah Blog Party When: Right now! Where: here, and a whole bunch of awesome blogs. Scroll down past the recipe for the list! What else: Lots! Firstly, the event is hosted by myself and Jessie … [Read more...]
Puff Pastry Pastrami Pockets
You know those foods that are so quintessentially Jewish that everybody associates them with New York and the Jews? I'm talking about foods like K'nishes (remember how I posted a recipe to make those at home?) and a big 'ol pastrami sandwich on rye bread. With a pickle. And sushi. Okay, that last one isn't necessarily a Jewish food, but we definitely support Japanese cuisine as much as we do Chinese cuisine, in recent years. Well, here's a food that is Jewish through and through: deli roll. Honestly, I'm often surprised that this hasn't made it out of the Jewish world much, because deli roll is just plain delicious. But it's also kinda boring. At least if you're a Jewish gal from New … [Read more...]
Fruity Salad with Raspberry Zinger Vinaigrette
There are lots of things I love about food blogging. I've mentioned some of my favorites before. But there are other, quieter and more private perks that I love too. Take today. It was a real quiet day today. I woke up late, took my time getting ready, then went to the grocery store and wondered the aisles somewhat aimlessly as I tried to decide what I'd cook today. I know, I know, that's the kind of luxury that comes with being somewhat unattached. It's also the kind of luxury that I get to validate as work. Blog work, ya know. It's all in the name of sharing great recipes with my imaginary friends at the other end of the computer. Ahem. Back to this salad. So when I finally settled … [Read more...]
Reverse Chocolate Chip Cookies
Anyone reading this who's been a reader for any length of time will know that I love to bake, and more specifically, to experiment and have fun with all kinds of fun recipes. From recent recipes like S'mores Cheesecake and Zebra Bundt Cake, to older but still fun recipes like Pretzel Coated Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cheese Swirled Chocolate Fudge Cake, I try to share fun and unique recipes with you folks. But sometimes I like to share some more basic recipes. Things like Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies and Blueberry Muffins may not be unique or different, but I definitely think they are recipes worth sharing. Today's recipe is more along the lines of the basic, staple type recipes. It's not … [Read more...]
Savory Sauteed Sweet-Peas
I first made this dish about a year ago. I know that, because it was right around the start of this blog. It was supposed to make it onto the blog, but somehow that didn't happen. I even photographed it. It's a shame that I deleted those pictures, because it would be fun to show you how my photography has changed over the years. Anyway, let's talk peas. Whenever I see that cliqued up picture of a dinner plate with the heap of super boring peas on the side, I get kind of sad. Peas have such a negative, or at very least boring reputation. But they don't have to be either of those! I've come up with a number of fun ways to cook peas, but this one is by far my favorite. It's super easy to whip … [Read more...]
Chocolate Cupcakes and a First Blogiversary Giveaway
Giveaway Closed! See here for the winner I've been thinking about today a lot, but I can't believe it actually came. It was one year ago that I published my first ever recipe. I know that most bloggers follow up on that statement with "I am so embarrassed of that post" or "I can't believe how far I have come since then!" or "it was totally on a whim that I started my blog!" But I am not going to say any of that. Sure, I think I have come pretty far since I wrote and photographed that recipe, but I am proud of that post, just as I am proud of every post I have up on this blog. This blog wasn't started on a whim, it was the result of weeks of planning … [Read more...]
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
You know how they say that some of the world's best discoveries have come about through accidents? Well, I wouldn't quite equate this with turning moldy bread into penicillin, but it was a pretty lucky- and awesome- discovery. It started on a day like today, when it felt like it was a million degrees outside, but in actuality, it was only about a hundred. Either way, it was the kind of day that makes you want a tall glass filled with ice- and some refreshing drink poured over it. I walked into the house, grabbed a glass, and discovered that there was no ice in the freezer. Oh, the horror. After searching the freezer and determining that there were, indeed, no ice cubes, I started to look … [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...]
Quinoa Cakes and a review of Herbivoracious
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...]