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Meatballs & Matzah Balls by Marcia Friedman

exploring Jewish-Italian food & more

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Mint Julep with an Italian Twist

Cheesecake with Strawberries

Asparagus, Artichoke, Fennel, & Mozzarella Salad with Lemon-Oregano Dressing

Roasted Asparagus and Tomato Sformato

Spinach Arancini

Marzipan Pignoli Hamantaschen with Salted Honey Butter

Mushroom and Barley Soup

Almond Kifli

Deconstructed Pumpkin-Bourbon Cannoli

Cranberry-Walnut Rugelach

Turkey and Fennel Stuffed Cabbage

Apple Bourbon Caramel Sundaes with Hot Honey Cinnamon Crunch

Peach Crostata

Strawberry Rose Forever

Classic Matzah Ball Soup

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The Essential Jewish Cookbook

Features 100 straightforward recipes for classic Jewish dishes from across traditions, made simple and modern. From Challah French Toast to Classic Potato Latkes to Adafina and Doro Wot, these recipes highlight the delicious breadth and depth of global Jewish cuisine. Find tips and tricks for getting the most out of each recipe, from preparing certain steps in advance to swapping ingredients to make dishes kosher. From weeknight dinners to holiday feasts, create meals everyone will love.

    Now available on Amazon.com

From my Instagram feed

meatmatzahballs


Peach Crostata! I love this one, especially this t
Peach Crostata! I love this one, especially this time of year with those peaches piled high but their time of abundance growing short. For summer especially, I think the Italian crostata—an open-faced tart—hits the laid-back vibe just right. It’s still got all the buttery, flaky specialness of pie but it’s less fussy. It doesn’t matter if your crust is crooked or patched here and there, because rustic is part of the charm. And on the inside, those peaches bake up silky soft with their almost tropical sweetness lightly accented with cinnamon and nutmeg. If you like, throw in some blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries with the peaches for some pretty color and flavor nuance. Recipe link in my profile!
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BTW, today (until sunset) is the little Jewish holiday of Tu B'av, which has become known as a celebration of love. A peach crostata or something else sweet for the lovely people in your life would be right on theme!

Shabbat shalom amd happy weekend! 
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#peaches #peachcrostata #JewishItalian #summerdesserts #Italianinspired #easierthanpie #peachdessertrecipes #Jewishholidays

Corn, Zucchini, and Dill Sauté — a peak summer
Corn, Zucchini, and Dill Sauté — a peak summer side dish! Recipe below! This is an updated version from the Meatballs and Matzah Balls Cookbook:

1 medium onion finely chopped
Extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups grilled corn (or thawed frozen fire-roasted corn)
2 medium zucchini, grated and squeezed of excess liquid
1 to 2 tablespoons salted butter (optional, and amount to taste)
Generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

In a skillet lightly coated with oil, sauté the onion seasoned with salt and pepper. Add zucchini, season with more salt and pepper, and cook about 5 to 8 minutes until silky and just light golden, turning occasionally. Add corn and cook, turning to warm through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add butter, lemon juice, and dill, turning until butter melts and all is mixed. Enjoy aromas, taste for seasonings, enjoy. 
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#zucchini #corn #grilledcorn #zucchiniandcorn #summervegetables #eatyourvegetables #farmbounty #vegetarian

Corn, Zucchini, and Dill Sauté, a recipe from Mea
Corn, Zucchini, and Dill Sauté, a recipe from Meatballs and Matzah Balls that flavorfully melds summer’s bounty. In this versatile side dish, the zucchini turns silky and the corn brings roasted flavor and that slightly crunchy texture. And dill, oh my, accents it all perfectly. Enjoy the dish as is or serve it tossed with pasta or on top of polenta. Watch for my upcoming Instagram video with the recipe!
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Bonus: With the dill and onion aromas, it smells comfortingly like I just made chicken soup!
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#zucchini #corn #grilledcorn #zucchiniandcorn #summervegetables #eatyourvegetables #farmbounty #vegetarian

Enjoying the season’s first batch of White Peach
Enjoying the season’s first batch of White Peach Sangria, a beloved recipe from the Meatballs and Matzah Balls cookbook. I consider it my less fizzy and more boozy nod to the Italian Bellini. It’s super peachy and fresh without being too sweet—the perfect sipper for a hot afternoon/evening. Cheers to summer weekends with friends!
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#sangria #whitepeachsangria #summerlibations #summercocktails #Italianinspired #summersgoingtoofast

Grilled squash topped with cheese and seasoned pan
Grilled squash topped with cheese and seasoned panko—this summery alla Parmigiana riff (minus the tomato sauce and deep frying) has become a go-to.
...
And it's easy! I use 1/2-inch mixed summer squash planks lightly browned on the grill then drizzled with lemon, topped with cheese, and sprinkled with panko mixed with just enough olive to moisten and seasoned with Parmigiano, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Then they're baked in a 475-degree oven until the cheese melts and the panko turns golden. We even enjoy the leftovers cold. 
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Inspired by Melissa Clark’s recipe for Roasted Zucchini with Garlicky Bread Crumbs and Mozzarella in the New York Times
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#summersquash #zucchini #grilledzucchini #grilledvegetables #Italianinspired #cheesyvegetables #eatyourvegetables

Versi Vino! Thrilled to finally visit this amazing
Versi Vino! Thrilled to finally visit this amazing wine bar/restaurant in Maple Shade, NJ. I knew we’d love it because owner/sommelier Christine Zubris loves wine and loves teaching about it—and she’s passionate about helping people discover wines they’ll enjoy. On this visit, she expertly steered me to several new wines and I was especially besotted with a South African red blend named The Chocolate Block. 
...
Versi Vino reflects all Christine's expertise and attention to every detail, from the fascinating and wide variety of choices for wine flights to the enticing Italian-influenced menu to the sleek modern design. And lest you think I’m biased because @mrschristinez and I married into the same extended family, @versivino was just voted one of NJ Monthly Magazine's Best of the Best Restaurants (for the ENTIRE state), and also noted for Best Wine List. And about that food—we sampled the arancini with basil cream (pictured) and also the crostini with ricotta and honey and the santorini flatbread with olives, onion, and chicken. All outstanding with perfect layers of flavor and texture. 
...
Just a few minutes off the New Jersey Turnpike, this gem is also super easy to get to. Can’t wait to go back. Thank you, Christine, and mazel tov and complimenti!
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#winebar
#winelover
#womanownedbusiness
#newjersey
#versivino

We’ve been lucky enough to stay on a farm for a
We’ve been lucky enough to stay on a farm for a few days, and the double bonus has been fresh eggs from free-ranging chickens that I visited with daily, including one I named Ruby (pic 3). (Thank you, Miss Ruby and friends!)
...
Oh, and please no judging my scrambled eggs. I had to make them in a saucepan. It got the job done, and we savored every bite.
…
If I were feeling more ambitious cooking-wise, eggs of course feature prominently in Jewish cuisine and Jewish-Italian cuisine, and I have so many great recipes for kugels, frittatas, fritadas, sformato, huevos hamindos, and the list goes on. But for the moment, scrambled eggs with sliced summer tomatoes perfectly fit the bill. 
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#farmfresh #farmfresheggs #chickenandeggs #scrambledeggs #farmgetaway

My first farmstand-to-grill corn of the season—
My first farmstand-to-grill corn of the season—always one of my happiest dining moments of summer. Nothing fancy here, just butter, salt, pepper, heat, and smoke. 
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#corn #grilledcorn #farmfresh #summervegetables #summergrilling #simplebutdelicious

You know when you need a quick but fresh and filli
You know when you need a quick but fresh and filling road trip/canoe trip/picnic food? Here I present my favorite answer to that—the simple, coolly delicious and perfectly summery cucumber sandwich. The key: don’t overthink it! Whole grain or pumpernickel bread, whipped cream cheese, peeled and sliced English cucumbers, and coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. And you’re on your way out the door. 
...
Yes, you can make it with bagel, though I think softer, thinner breads work better here—the focus should be the creaminess and fresh cucumber flavor. If I were feeling like pumping it up (I never have but there’s always a first), I’d add a slice of fresh, ripe tomato and maybe some tender, mild-flavored greens. Or if you want to do a homage to the Jewish pickled cucumber salad, especially the creamy version, you could add a little onion, dill, and a splash of vinegar. BTW, that salad recipe is a summer winner as well—find it in The Essential Jewish Cookbook.
…
Need another reason to eat your cucumbers? They are low-cal and have a high-water content, which makes them extra helpful and refreshing in the hottest days of summer.
…
#summersandwich #cucumbersandwich #vegetablesandwich #summerpicnicfood #freshfoodtogo #easypeasy #cucumber #simplebutdelicious #cucumberrecipes

Instagram post 17864509820758138
Instagram post 17864509820758138

Instagram post 17971883665648707
Instagram post 17971883665648707

You know when you need a quick but fresh and filli
You know when you need a quick but fresh and filling road trip/canoe trip/picnic food? Here I present my favorite answer to that—the simple, coolly delicious and perfectly summery cucumber sandwich. The key: don’t overthink it! Whole grain or pumpernickel bread, whipped cream cheese, peeled and sliced English cucumbers, and coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. And you’re on your way out the door. 

Yes, you can make it with bagel, though I think softer, thinner breads work better here—the focus should be the creaminess and fresh cucumber flavor. If I were feeling like pumping it up (I never have but there’s always a first), I’d add a slice of fresh, ripe tomato and maybe some tender, mild-flavored greens. Or if you want to do a homage to the Jewish pickled cucumber salad, especially the creamy version, you could add a little onion, dill, and a splash of vinegar. BTW, that salad recipe is a summer winner as well—find it in The Essential Jewish Cookbook.

Need another reason to eat your cucumbers? They are low-cal and have a high-water content, which makes them extra helpful and refreshing in the hottest days of summer.
...
#summersandwich #cucumbersandwich #vegetablesandwich #summerpicnicfood #freshfoodtogo #easypeasy #cucumber #simplebutdelicious #cucumberrecipes

I’ll take summer fruit desserts just about any w
I’ll take summer fruit desserts just about any way, but I’m currently loving this slab pie made with blueberries and peaches (see my story for a short reel!). Those baby blues give it that beautiful hue and hint of floral flavor, and the cooked peaches become deeply mellow and luscious. Forming the pie as “bars”—a process I’ve been tweaking for awhile—makes it easily portable and you can easily cut pieces into bigger dessert serving sizes or little snack sizes good for a bite or two. The cut bars freeze well, too. Inspired by Genevieve Ko’s Apple Pie Bars recipe in The New York Times. 
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#peachblueberry #peachblueberrypiebars # piebars #summerfruitpie #slabpie #summerdessert #peaches #blueberries #fruitdessert #bakingwithfruit

A quick peek at my peach blueberry pie bars in pro
A quick peek at my peach blueberry pie bars in progress. Such beautiful fruit flavor, and easier than pie.
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#peachblueberry #peachblueberrypiebars #piebars #summerfruitpie #slabpie #summerdessert #peaches #blueberries #fruitdessert #bakingwithfruit #floursugarbutter

Another stellar dinner at @lot12publichouse in Ber
Another stellar dinner at @lot12publichouse in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. This small town gem helmed by James Beard-nominated chef Damian Heath and his wife Betsy keeps us coming back with its lovingly prepared dishes, like this grilled eggplant and goat cheese stack with summer vegetable risotto, a trip to Italy on your plate. Our group also loved (2) the  crispy roasted duck (3) the arancini with roasted tomato dipping  sauce (because you can never have too much risotto!) (4) the guava mint sorbet palate cleanser and (5) a beautiful chocolate torte birthday dessert. 

Not pictured but also savored were the perfect fried green tomatoes served with fresh mozzarella and pesto and the pan-seared halibut with creamy mashed potatoes. Other regular favorites include the toasted gnocchi with garlic and the crisp goat cheese salad. Meat lovers also always have plenty of choices, often including ribs, lamb, and steak. The service is warm and lovely, and everything is garnished with herbs and flowers from the garden just outside the restaurant, situated in a renovated old house (6) that just begs you to linger on the wraparound porch. 

Worth a trip to Berkeley Springs, which is less than 2 hours from Northern Virginia and much of the DC metro area. And if you need another reason to visit, Berkeley Springs just made USA Today’s list of top 10 historic small towns in America!
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#berkeleyspringsdining #lot12publichouse #smalltowndining #berkeleysprings

Clouds of whipped cream swirled with Nutella and s
Clouds of whipped cream swirled with Nutella and sprinkled with grated chocolate—and that’s just the icing on the cake! This is my first homemade ice cream cake, made for a special birthday last weekend. We loved the flavors, a spectrum of chocolate with crushed chocolate cookie crumbs, two kinds of chocolate ice cream, and a middle layer of chocolate chip cake and cookies and cream ice cream...and then of course the before-mentioned dreamy topping. All perfect cool creaminess for peak summer, and assembled in advance waiting at the ready in the freezer. Next time, will work more on making my layers more even (though truth be told, no one cared about that but me, and not a bite was leftover).
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#icecream #icecreamcake #chocolateicecreamcake #frozendessert #summerdessert #chocolateheaven

Ah, fresh summer blueberries and watermelon. These
Ah, fresh summer blueberries and watermelon. These really need no adornment or recipe to be irresistible (consider how fast that tray of sliced watermelon always disappears at a picnic), one of many things to love about these delicious and nutritious gems. 

But if you do want some simple ideas beyond snacking, here are a few:
• toss either fruit in almost any salad you happen to be making 
• top ice cream and pound cake with blueberries
• alternate slices of watermelon and feta, drizzle with a little balsamic
• make blueberry pancakes or muffins
• blend frozen watermelon chunks into margaritas or daiquiris

What’s your favorite way of enjoying them?

Confession: quite a few blueberries and watermelon slices were consumed during the taking of this photo. 😋
…
#summerfruit #blueberries #watermelon #summerbounty #summerfresh

Chocolate Sour Cream Bread (1) and Baked Ziti with
Chocolate Sour Cream Bread (1) and Baked Ziti with Spinach (2)—more baking and cooking for Adas Israel’s Hesed program that provides comforting and flavorful home-cooked foods to those in need around the D.C. area. 

I “had” to do a test-run of the bread and also “had” to cut into it hot with its chocolate chips melty right from the oven—a quick bread no-no, but it was scrumptious. I can also verify that it remained excellent when properly cooled. Am making more (that I won’t cut into!) that will be packaged up for the program. Besides the joy of participating, the program gives cooks the benefit of trying new recipes—and this one along with the lemon pound cake from earlier in the year is a keeper. 

On the hearty main dish side of things, the ziti is true comfort food, and it was such a delight to make a crowd-pleasing Italian American classic (with nutritional boost from sautéed spinach) to share.
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#chocolatebread #bakedziti #tikkunolam #hesed #lovingkindness #bakingwithlove #vegetarian

With Nutella Mousse Cheesecake, the beloved custar
With Nutella Mousse Cheesecake, the beloved custardy dessert takes a turn toward Italian flavor with Nutella and mascarpone, and the result is about as creamy, smooth, and luscious as you can get, with that hit of chocolatey-hazelnut dreaminess taking it right over the top. And for a bonus, it will seem like you worked on it all day, but it comes together easily and requires no baking. 

Want a gluten-free (and even easier) version? Omit the crust altogether and just spoon the pillowy mounds into pretty dessert glasses. You could give it some flair with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, but no one will miss it if you don’t. Just be sure to serve this one cold from the fridge because it softens quickly. It’s a recipe perfect for Shavuot and all through the year. Recipe link in profile. And see my story for total creaminess overload!
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#cheesecake #nutella #Shavuot #jewishfood #jewishitalian #jewishholidaydesserts #nobakecheesecake

Bread stuffed with cheese! Oh, how we love it and
Bread stuffed with cheese! Oh, how we love it and love being creative with it. Just two mouthwatering examples: Georgian Khachapuri with an addictive feta-oregano–spiked filling (1) and Italian Calzones with Roasted Eggplant and Red Pepper (2). Both beautiful, beloved, delicious, and eagerly adopted into Jewish cuisine. I don’t need an excuse to make these, but if you do, the dairy-centered Shavuot celebrations offer an excellent one.

Khachapuri, open-faced boats of cheesy filling with an egg on top, became a favorite of Jews in the country of Georgia (and later, in Israel)—and thus a Jewish essential. This photo features pastries made with both whole wheat and regular store-bought pizza dough, a shortcut that works well here. Most people find the egg ingenious and luxurious, but if you’re like me and don’t enjoy runny eggs, these are just as amazing without the egg. Find my recipe in The Essential Jewish Cookbook.

In Italy, calzones didn’t start out as a Jewish-Italian dish—in fact the earliest ones might have been made with sausage—but vegetarian versions worked nicely within Jewish-Italian cuisine.  My recipe includes eggplant and pepper, both warmly embraced by Italy’s Jews in their cooking. And while the cheesiness makes a good fit with Shavuot, the other holiday I love these for is Purim, where turnovers or pastries with hidden fillings take star turns. Recipe link in profile.
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#breadandcheese #jewishfood #jewishholidaycooking #jewishholidayfood #Shavuot #calzones #khachapuri #jewishitalian


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Meatballs and Matzah Balls

No matter where your cultural journey has taken you, the kitchen is always your best way home.

  • more than 100 recipes
  • more than 60 full-color photos
  • nine essays exploring intersections of Jewish and Italian life
  • classic and new recipes for soups, stews, breads, appetizers, pastas, grains, meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, Passover, and, of course, desserts!
  • recipes cover classics from both cuisines as well as recipes that bridge the two in origin, ingredients, or spirit
  • all recipes can be made kosher

“Italian by birth and Jewish by choice, Marcia has amassed a delectable feast filled with nostalgic reflections from both traditions.”—Judy Bart Kancigor, author of Cooking Jewish.

    Finalist—2014 Indie Book Awards

      Buy print and ebook versions now on Amazon.com

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