Homemade Graham Crackers

Homemade Graham Crackers
Homemade Graham Crackers

Before moving to Israel I had never considered making my own graham crackers (similar to digestive crackers for you Brits). But, like so many products from home, they are unavailable here. And so, like many of my favorite take-out meals, I set out to make them at home. Graham crackers have an interesting history. According to Wikipedia (so, you know, grain of salt), they were invented in 1829 as “Dr. Graham’s Honey Biskets” by Reverend Sylvestor Graham. It was all part of a bland diet that he marketed to try to suppress evil carnal urges (the same theory, by the way, behind Kellog’s corn flakes). This entry also says that you don’t technically have graham crackers without graham flour, another invention of Reverend Graham. So if you want to be technical, I didn’t make graham crackers since graham flour is not widely available outside the United States. But you could have fooled me. Continue reading “Homemade Graham Crackers”

Pomegranate Mojito and a Cocktail Blog Hop

Pomegranate Mojito
Pomegranate Mojito

Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve and that means I have cocktails on the brain. One of my favorite cocktail discoveries as of late is this refreshing Pomegranate Mojito that was concocted by my friend Ben Brewer of Israel Food Tours. I came upon it while doing research on Jewish cocktails for an article in the Jewish Daily Forward and simply fell in love. Although in the article I proposed it as a Sukkot-appropriate drink, the truth is I could sip on this all year long. Continue reading “Pomegranate Mojito and a Cocktail Blog Hop”

On My Shelf: Life, On the Line

Life, on the LineThe title says it all. Life, on the Line: A Chef’s Story of Chasing Greatness, Facing Death, and Redefining the Way We Eat by Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas is really a book in three parts. It’s the memoir of an ambitious kid who worked his way from his parents’ diner to The French Laundry to breaking out on his own. It’s also the tale of Alinea – one of the best restaurants in the country – complete with the nitty gritty details of what it really takes to build a restaurant from scratch. Finally, the book is about a personal battle with cancer, as well as a chef’s struggle with losing his sense of taste. Life, on the Line is a story of perseverance, determination, and excellence. Continue reading “On My Shelf: Life, On the Line”

Pollo Fritto per Chanuka

Our Italian Jewish Hanukkah
Our Italian Jewish Hanukkah

Christmas may have come and gone (did you have a nice holiday?), but there’s still two days of Hanukkah left! If you’re tired of latkes and sufganiyot (as if that could happen), allow me to suggest a few recipes from the Italian Jewish canon. Italian Jews make up one of the world’s oldest Jewish communities, combining two great culinary traditions. After doing a good bit of research for an article in the Jew and the Carrot (check it out here), I learned that while Hanukkah traditions vary by region, one dish is universal throughout the country: Pollo Fritto per Chanuka, or Fried Chicken for Hanukkah. Continue reading “Pollo Fritto per Chanuka”

Precipizi and a Holiday Blog Hop

Precipizi, an Italian Jewish Hanukkah treat
Precipizi, an Italian Jewish Hanukkah treat

Can you believe that we’re midway through Hanukkah and that tomorrow is Christmas Eve? It’s wonderful to be home in New York celebrating the holidays with friends and family. My husband and I are fortunate enough to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas, and so get the best of both traditions.  In honor of my Italian heritage, this year I did a bit of research into how Italian Jews celebrate Hanukkah for an article in the Jew and the Carrot (check it out here). And so I was introduced to Hanukkah Precipizi, which is similar to the struffoli that is also popular around Christmas time in Italy. Hanukkah is all about fried food, a celebration of oil in all its glory, and these certainly fit the bill. Continue reading “Precipizi and a Holiday Blog Hop”

Q+A with Lori Narlock

Lori Narlock
Lori Narlock cooking her favorite meal: Thanksgiving!

Today I present the second installment of my Q+A series (check out the first here). I am very excited to introduce you to Lori Narlock. I followed her beautiful blog, Wine Country Cook, for a long time before I realized just how accomplished she is. Besides having a wonderful food blog full of simple, elegant recipes and wine pairings, Lori worked for years in professional kitchens, has authored dozens of cookbooks, and just launched an e-publishing company, Hang Time Press, with her husband. On top of all this she manages to balance a full time job and a family. Lori and I spoke about how she got into cooking, writing cookbooks, working in the wine industry, starting a publishing house, and what tips she can offer to aspiring cookbook authors. Continue reading “Q+A with Lori Narlock”

Guest Post: Gingerbread Cake

Gingerbread Cake
Gingerbread Cake with Chocolate Glaze

I was so thrilled when Shannon from the wonderful Malaysian food blog Just as Delish asked me to do a guest post for her. I adore her healthy, internationally inspired recipes for everything from Green Curry Chicken to Beef Tagine, and from ginger tea to homemade sweetened condensed milk. She specifically asked for an American Christmas recipe, since Malaysians do not typically celebrate the holiday. Unlike Thanksgiving, with its traditional menu of turkey and pumpkin pie, Christmas is a little more personal and each family has their own traditions, especially for the savory course. My family eats sausage and peppers and a filet mignon roast, but we’re the only ones I know who do. Dessert, however, has more common flavors to draw on. Continue reading “Guest Post: Gingerbread Cake”

Guacamole and a Dip Blog Hop

Classic Guacamole with Chips
Classic Guacamole with Chips

With the holiday season upon us, parties are in full swing. Whether you are hosting or attending, we can all use more quick and easy recipes for our entertaining repertoire. Enter the mighty dip. They can typically be made ahead and offer a range of accompaniments from chips to crackers, and from vegetables to fruit slices (as in this wonderful recipe). One of my favorites is guacamole. A simple recipe, I know and I’m sure you have your own. I like mine zesty and garlicky. Guacamole has the added bonus of being naturally parve, gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan (if you are gf of course the issue is what to dip in the guac). Continue reading “Guacamole and a Dip Blog Hop”

Baked Mushroom Bao

Baked Mushroom Bao
Baked Mushroom Bao

I’ve spared you my ramblings about my deep love of dumplings, Asian buns, and dim sum. Until now. My first experience with dumplings came at a young age in the form of the wanton soup that went hand-in-hand with Chinese take-out. Fast forward many years to the month I spent visiting one of my best friends in China. Obviously, I ate the most incredible dumplings of my life. And I was introduced to the range of dumpling available, the types of skins, fillings, and cooking preparations. I also must admit that New Years day in China secured the place of dumplings as my ultimate hangover food. Continue reading “Baked Mushroom Bao”

Guest Post: Cinnamon Bun Cake

Cinnamon Bun Cake
Cinnamon Bun Cake

When Miriam of Israeli Kitchen asked me if I’d like to do a guest post on her wonderful blog I was truly honored. Miriam has lived in Israel for 33 years and is full of knowledge about Israeli and kosher cuisine. She makes her own dandelion beer and fruit wine, bread and flavored oils. Miriam loves markets as much as I do and warmly welcomed me into the world of Anglo food bloggers in Israel. We’d been emailing for almost a year before we finally had the chance to meet in person at a dinner with cookbook author Gil Marks, and were really able to spend some quality time together at the Sommelier Wine Expo in Tel Aviv. She’s even coming to visit in Be’er Sheva (as soon as the trains are back up and running!) to see what our shuk has to offer. Continue reading “Guest Post: Cinnamon Bun Cake”