Although the most famous Jewish-Italian artichoke dish might be the deep-fried Carciofi alla Giudia (Artichokes Jewish-style), Italian Jews enjoyed artichokes many ways. It helps that they got a head start on other Italians by warmly embracing the petal-packed thistle buds after the vegetable was likely introduced to Sicily by Arab conquerors. One of the ways […]
Strawberry Rose Forever
May 11, 2021 · by
With a name inspired by the song “Strawberry Fields Forever,” this drink might seem to be a Beatles homage. It is, but mostly it isn’t. More than anything, it’s a tribute to people and things I love in an exquisitely flavored and festive new cocktail. The name’s take on the Fab Four’s song comes courtesy […]
Classic Matzah Ball Soup
March 10, 2021 · by
The belle of the balls might very well be the matzah ball. Humble as they look, they reign as one of the most iconic foods of Jewish Ashkenazi traditions. And for good reason. Immersed in hot nourishing chicken soup, the dumplings are comfortingly filling and substantial. Whenever I make the soup, my husband says it […]
Goulash (Hungarian Paprika Beef Stew)
February 7, 2021 · by
A seasoned meat stew, Goulash (a recipe I included in The Essential Jewish Cookbook), comes by its amazing flavor with a winning combination of beef, paprika, lots of onions and a long braise. At first it might seem puzzling as part of a Jewish repertoire, but Hungarian Jews were just as charmed by the famous […]
Introducing “The Essential Jewish Cookbook”
January 13, 2021 · by
It’s my great pleasure to introduce you to my latest book, The Essential Jewish Cookbook. The book’s 100 recipes take a broad view of the world of Jewish food, and that world is diverse, delicious, and fascinating. I loved developing classic but modern recipes for everything from dishes popular in the United States (such as latkes, brisket, […]
Savory Noodle Kugel
January 12, 2021 · by
Comfort food in a baking dish is a good way to describe kugels—and this savory, nondairy noodle version from my new book, The Essential Jewish Cookbook, fits right in. A tangle of pappardelle noodles set in eggs with some onion and spices welcome you into the kugel repertoire with something at once easy and adaptable. […]
Apple Spice Buricche (Turnovers)
October 6, 2020 · by
Buricche are the Jewish-Italian version of pastry turnovers, known in Sephardic and Israeli cuisine as bourekas. Although most traditionally the fillings are savory, these days anything goes (pizza, anyone?) and my apple version shows off fall’s abundant fruit and warm spices. Stuffed foods like these (symbolizing plenty) also happen to be prized for the harvest […]
Sweet & Savory Challah Rolls
September 16, 2020 · by
There’s no denying that a beautiful golden loaf of braided or round challah is a highlight on the table, raising spirits in delicious anticipation. But these rolls—or mini challahs, as I like to think of them—have their own charms. They are enticing little packages that stay soft and tender and give each recipient that […]
Peperoni Ripieni (Stuffed Peppers with Eggplant)
August 29, 2018 · by
Oh, just stuff it! In terms of food, that’s actually a good thing to say, since stuffed or filled foods tend to be especially delightful. The slightly hidden insides and the melding of flavors always offers a little surprise for the senses. In the case of my version of Italian stuffed peppers with eggplant (peperoni […]
Spicy-Smoky Black-Eyed Peas
August 29, 2018 · by
One dish I hadn’t thought of as a Rosh Hashanah dish? Black-eyed peas. But it turns out that a stew of these creamy legumes with the signature black dot has a long history as a symbol of abundance for Rosh Hashanah, especially in Egypt and Turkey. In honor of that, I created an updated […]
Turkey Meatballs with Spicy-Sweet Pepper Sauce
March 20, 2018 · by
Growing up, oh how we loved my mom and dad’s meatballs. And I kind of thought these were our own special food. Which they were, in the sense of connecting us to my dad’s Italian heritage and my parents’ specially tweaked recipe. But they also were not, as I would learn soon enough, in the […]
New Favorite All-Season Lemon Bars
March 8, 2018 · by
These lemon bars do so many things right. Most important, they balance all the delightful contrasts in a good bar—soft, creamy filling and dense crust, sweetness and tartness, fruitiness and nuttiness. But they are also gluten-free and Passover-friendly, and sport a nutritious whole grain base. Thanks to quinoa flour, the crust holds nice structure and […]
Salted Bourbon Caramel Hamantashen
February 21, 2018 · by
Bourbon and especially bourbon salted caramel create quite a decadent hamantashen. But besides great flavor, bourbon has a Jewish connection—something I discovered while visiting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Find the full story along with the brand-new recipe at Jewish Food Experience. I loved creating and eating this recipe, and here are few notes about making […]
Polpettone di Tonno with Horseradish Green Sauce
September 27, 2017 · by
No, that’s not gefilte fish. And that’s exactly what I love about it. Let me introduce you to my version of Polpettone di Tonno, Italian tuna loaf. It plays the “gefilte fish” role of festive holiday fish appetizer, but with more nuanced and fresher flavor. I shared the recipe and wrote the accompanying article, “Giving Gefilte Fish […]
Spiked Peaches with Grilled Pound Cake
August 2, 2017 · by
Come August, peaches are ready for their close up. The market bins overflow with the colorful, fragrant fruit, and I find it hard to resist their call. Just this week, I took home peaches almost as large as softballs and every bite was sweet and juicy. Although I love making sangria out of them, they […]
