Passover: Chocolate Chip Mandel Bread

Most desserts that are kosher for Passover don't seem that appealing.  However, this Chocolate Chip Mandel Bread recipe will make you reconsider. Mandel Bread in Yiddish literally means twice- baked almond bread.  It's made by forming dough into a loaf, baking it, slicing the loaf into oblong cookies and baking again. Apparently these crunchy cookies were popular in Eastern Europe among Jews and merchants as a staple dessert that kept well. Mom's recipe, as I imagine most, is extremely easy to follow and only allows for 30 minutes baking … [Read more...]

Passover: Apple Matzoh Kugel

While Kugel has been a staple of Jewish cooking for centuries, I tend to only make Mom’s kugel recipe once a year during Passover-- and I'm not sure why. Served hot or cold as a side, or, for the sweeter versions, as a dessert, most people characterize kugel as a type of casserole or pudding made from egg noodles or potatoes.  However, for Passover, I use matzoh as the main ingredient. I know you’re probably thinking there’s no way a bland, hard, cracker-like piece of matzoh could ever replace the smooth soft texture and flavor of egg … [Read more...]

Sesame Chicken

Taking matters into my own hands, I figured I'd try to recreate our favorite Sesame Chicken recipe from our local Chines restaurant.  Living in NYC, it's way too easy have to have food delivered or take out and you can get quite lazy about cooking. But, when you actually read the ingredient list for this recipe, there aren't many items that you probably don't already have in your stocked pantry, and the cooking instructions are simple. Who doesn't want to have another celebrated chicken recipe to add to their meal repertoire? I'm not … [Read more...]

Red and White Quinoa with Grapes

This week I received a review copy of a cookbook called Celebrate: Food, Family, Shabbos  by Elizabeth Kurtz (author of koshergourmetcooking.com and columnist of the Jerusalem Post), which features easy to follow recipes with amazing photos and helpful hints for any home cook. What makes it unique is that it features over 120 recipes that can also be used for Passover and then there are others that are labeled "Perfect for Passover as-is." It's a relief to find a cookbook with richly-illustrated recipes that are easy enough for every … [Read more...]