Yesterday was my first visit to one of the local farmer’s markets and among the offerings were some beautifully ripe strawberries. So ripe in fact that I knew it would be a shame to allow them to sit overnight. I decided to use these juicy berries bursting with flavor in a Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream…
Blackberry Cobbler
pastry This Blackberry Cobbler which I made for dessert on Mother’s Day comes from the Food & Wine website. It originates from a housekeeper and southern cook who liked to refer to herself as a “butter cook" to signify her fondness for classic, old-style Southern recipes. The pastry is quickly made in a food processor,…
Best Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Mother’s Day was very special this year since both of my sons planned trips home to be with me. As each resides on the west coast, one in LA, and one in San Francisco, there have been many Mother’s Days where I have had to be content with phone calls, cards (when they remember), and…
Glazed Fudge Cake
The recipe for this Glazed Fudge Cake comes from a co-worker and friend back in the day when I was working at a kitchen specialty shop in Chicago. I have to admit it was a dream job in some ways (not monetarily, of course), but in the respect that I was working at a job…
Matzo Balls
It wouldn’t be Passover in our family without Chicken Soup and Matzo Balls. I’m taking the soup and matzo balls to my sister’s this year for our Seder. Matzo Balls are basically dumplings made with matzo meal. They can be light or quite dense. I opt for lightness. Whenever it comes to the Jewish holidays…
Passover Chocolate Raspberry Dreams
As I mentioned in my last blog baking at Passover can be quite challenging. I discovered this recipe many years ago in Chicago, most likely from an issue of the Chicago Tribune Food Guide featuring Passover Dessert Recipes. We are going to mys sister’s this year for our Seder, and I volunteered to bring the…
Passover Lemon Sponge Cake
Passover begins tomorrow evening at sunset. Celebrated in commemoration of the Exodus of Egypt it is one of the world’s oldest continually observed Jewish festivals still retaining its ancient charm even in today’s world. Today, despite the spread of Jews throughout the world, the eight-day festival maintains its family character and begins with the traditional…
Real Meatballs and Spaghetti
I’ve made numerous versions of spaghetti and meatballs over the years, but from the first time I tried Ina Garten’s recipe for this dish from Barefoot Contessa Family Style I knew my search had ended. She was right on in naming it Real Meatballs and Spaghetti because the meatballs definitely deserve top billing. They are…
Banana Cream Tart
Banana cream pie has always been one of my favorite desserts. It simply oozes comfort between the satiny smooth banana filling and the light and airy sweet whipped cream. I was so excited when I found the recipe for the banana cream pie served at Bubby’s Pie Co. Restaurant in New York City. This restaurant …
Chicken Souvlaki
My family and I love Greek food! We became accustomed to it during the years we lived in Chicago. In fact when my husband and I moved there and I was pregnant with our first son almost once a week we went to a little Greek spot in our neighborhood. It was there I was…