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 […]
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 was honored to have my Polpettone di Tonno featured as […]
Post-Holiday Green Elixir
January 10, 2017 · by
Normally, you won’t find me making or sipping a smoothie. Or a green kale juice thing. I like to chew my food, and I don’t subscribe to the need for detoxes or cleanses. BUT, after a season of too much—sweets, rich and bountiful meals, chocolate, whipped cream, politics, tweet-storms, everything—a sparkling glass of green goodness suddenly […]
Mushroom-Stuffed Matzah Ball Fritters
April 8, 2016 · by
Matzah balls are one of the most iconic foods of modern American Jewish cuisine—and that’s of course how they became part of the title of my cookbook, Meatballs and Matzah Balls. So believe me when I say that I don’t mess with them lightly. But although I love them in their classic form in a […]
Chocolate Lava Cakes
March 19, 2015 · by
Passover, let me introduce you to my newest sweet friend, the chocolate lava cake…wait, what? You know chocolate lava cake’s Italian grandmother? Seriously? Yes, that’s right. Lava, molten, or pudding cakes with that luscious liquid chocolate center might seem like a hot, hot, hot contemporary fad, but the concept has a connection to Italy. In […]
Avocado, Spinach, and Pickled Jalapeño Dip
March 18, 2015 · by
One year, someone requested I make a nondairy “green” dip for Passover. Challenge accepted, especially because I loved the idea of something colorful and fresh, and somewhat nutritious for the holiday. Avocado, with its luscious flavor and texture and appealing color, called to me as the base. A simple mixture of avocado, spinach (for more […]
Lemon Blueberry Cake
March 18, 2015 · by
Years ago, I found a recipe for a clementine cake made with ground almonds. This sponge-style cake (getting most of its body from beaten egg whites) enticed me as a contrast to a Christmas dessert buffet of heavy, creamy, and chocolate-y confections. The way my imagination rendered the recipe, it would be light, fresh, and […]
Mediterranean Zucchini, Dill, and Feta Pie
April 18, 2014 · by
The love affair, if there ever was one, is probably over. Mid-week of Passover, and you’d be forgiven if you’ve had your fill of matzah. If you’re like me, you might also have had enough chicken for one week. Thankfully, folks, we have options. This year, I’m smitten with the concept of vegetable pie. The […]
Ricotta
April 3, 2014 · by
Although I’ve been Italian all my life, it took becoming Jewish to motivate me to make my own ricotta. Passover, specifically, bears responsibility for sending me down this path. Even though you can find kosher ricotta, getting your hands on kosher for Passover ricotta is a challenge for most people. So if you want to […]
Chicken Meatballs with Mushroom and Basil Sauce
March 27, 2014 · by
You might think someone whose book has “meatballs” in the title would have a good recipe not only for beef meatballs but also for chicken. I didn’t though—until now. I think it took me so long because I had some high demands. Flavorful and fresh, of course. Not heavy or gooey like Swedish meatballs, but […]
