So the holiday is over and you still have a few boxes of matzo taking up space in your kitchen? I hear you. Luckily, I happened upon a fantastic way to make use of the leftovers in the form of matzo granola. My friend Heather got the idea from a friend a few years back and was nice enough to share the recipe with a class full of lucky pre-schoolers (including my own). Even nicer? She agreed to let me share it with all of you. Enjoy! Continue reading
Problem Solved: Matzo Granola
26 AprMagic Latkes!
29 Nov
I love latkes! And this recipe may really be the best latke recipe ever. It was the recipe that inspired the book (thanks Jill and Ellen!), the one I used to land both an agent and a book deal (the Chanukah chapter was the first one I wrote), and possibly (next to the mandelbrot and carrot cake) the most requested recipe from our entire arsenal. They may just be magic latkes.
They’re very easy to make—all you need are potatoes, eggs, an onion and some oil. The frying part takes a batch or two to get perfect, but I promise they’re worth it! Enjoy!
Flourless Potato Pancakes
Serves: 10-12 people (or more)
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
- 12 –13 medium Idaho russet potatoes
- 1 large onion
- 4 eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Salt
- Peel potatoes .
TIP: Keep potatoes in ice cold water to keep them from turning brown. - Grate the potatoes in a Cuisinart.
- Grate the onion in the Cuisinart.
- Mix together and add 4 eggs.
- Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet, enough to fill the pan about one-eighth of the way up the sides. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. TIP: Splash a drop of water into the oil, if it sizzles the oil is ready!
- Drop the potato mixture (one large tablespoonful per latke) into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crisp (about 3 to 4 minutes per side). Cook 3 or 4 in a batch.
- Always make sure you have enough oil in the pan. After about 2 batches you will probably need to add oil.
- When browned and crisp remove the latkes and place them on a brown paper bag to drain excess oil.
- Sprinkle with salt to taste and serve.
- If made a little ahead of time place on cookie sheet in oven at 400-425 until ready to serve.
TIP: The ratio of eggs per potatoes is 2 eggs for every 6 or 7 potatoes. If making for smaller group use 5 or 6 potatoes, 2 eggs and ½ of a large onion or 1 small onion.
Tags: 8 crazy nights, Chanukah, latkes
Thanks to the Pinecrest Library!
11 Nov
Last night my mom and I had the great pleasure of spending the evening at the Pinecrest branch of the Miami-Dade public library for a “Meet the Author Authors” event. Not only did it remind of us of all the wonderful supporters we have out there who love to cook–or are learning to cook!–but also that the public library is a vastly underused resource for great programs. One I learned of last night invites young readers to come practice their reading skills by reading to therapy dogs. How amazing is that? (ok- I am sucker for anything that involves pups.) Here’s a link to some more great events via the Miami-Dade Public Library System. And for those who don’t live in miami, click here for info in your own area.
A new way to go to temple… online?
17 Sep
As Yom Kippur approaches (are you cooking out there??) I wanted to share a quick link with all of you who can’t make it to temple this weekend. My friend, the wonderful and innovative Rabbi Laura Baum, has created an amazing community over at OurJewishCommunity.org, and one of the many services (no pun intended) that they provide is that of live streaming actual services. So whether its not wanting to bring young children, not belonging to a temple or simply not being able to make it to services on time–here’s a great option for those who still want to take part in a traditional service. They will be live streaming:
- Yom Kippur Evening (Kol Nidrei): 8:15 PM ET on Friday, September 17
- Yom Kippur Morning: 10:30 AM ET on Saturday, September 18
- Yom Kippur Children’s Service: 1:30 PM ET on Saturday, September 18
- Yom Kippur Memorial Service: 4:00 PM ET on Saturday, September 18
Click here for more information and to access the services…
Tags: services, technology, yom kippur
Break-the-fast Ideas: Sarah’s Challah French Toast Casserole
15 Sep
*Sarah and my brother. No relation to the post, I just love the picture!
Since most people like to break the fast with brunch-like goodies I thought this would be a perfect recipe to share with all of you. It’s simple and delicious and a great addition to the break-the-fast table.
This recipe was a contribution from my sister-in-law Sarah*. Sarah started out like all the rest of us, with a few dishes under her belt, but by no means ready to host a holiday. Now she cooks up Jewish holidays with the best of them. I believe (and correct me if I am wrong) that she actually BAKES fresh Challah from time to time these days. I’ll admit to being impressed by that. Recipe after the jump.
Tags: Break-the-fast, breakfast, casserole, challah, simple, sweets, yom kippur
Are you ready for a “digital fast” on Yom Kippur?
13 Sep
Today, while trolling the internet I came across this interesting article on Heeb. Basically, the folks at Offlining (who have some hilarious ads if you want to click over) are asking people to unplug on Yom Kippur or go on what some call “a digital fast.” Personally, I think it’s a genius idea. As someone who loved her Blackberry so much she actually CRIED when it broke (as you all know from my many anti-iPhone rants) I had a real wake up call when my my then-2-year-old took my phone away and said “Mom, say bye-bye to your phone.” Since then I’ve been more conscious than ever about unplugging from my devices for definitive periods of time. Of course, that doesn’t always work (see my husband’s newfound obsession with following Gator football on Twitter).
One of the themes in “Jewish Cooking Boot Camp” is that of showing your love for those around you by cooking for them. But it’s more than just the cooking. It’s taking time to stop and sit and talk and forget about email and Twitter and (yes!) blogging and just eat and laugh and have fun. Saturday is the perfect excuse to turn everything off and, if not reflect on the year that passed, at least reconnect with the important people in your life…face to face.
I’ll take the pledge to unplug for Yom Kippur. What do you think?
Tags: Blackberry, digital fast, Heeb Magazine, iPhone, Offlining, unplug, yom kippur
Another Rosh Hashanah iPhone app: iTashlich
10 Sep
With a tagline like “We know you’ve got sins,” how can you resist this one? From small to big (sample question: “Have you failed to call your mother regularly”) this app allows you to start the new year right by casting off the sins of the past and starting fresh. It’s available in English and Hebrew, features all types of modern and traditional “sin questions,” and includes real Tashlich prayers. In my opinion: worth every penny of the 99 cents!
Side Note: I also happened to download this awesome Shofar app and it was a big hit at my Rosh Hashanah dinner. I know it’s a little late but hey—better late than never…
Tags: apps, iPhone, Jewish apps, Jewish holidays, rosh hashanah, Tashlich
Last minute Rosh Hashanah dessert… Edith’s Orange Cake
7 Sep
Today’s the day. Cooking and cooking and more cooking. With your menu already (hopefully) planned, all that’s left for me to share is a little last minute addition to the course we all love most…or maybe that’s just my family…dessert! If you need an extra something to help everyone start the New Year off sweet try this amazing (and amazingly simple) recipe from the Markenson family archives. It starts with a boxed mix, but with just a few simple additions, and a shockingly easy glaze, you’re sure to impress even the most jaded guest. It’s a great substitution when you don’t have time to whip up a traditional honey cake and a terrific take-along when you’re a guest for the holiday. And it’s great with a little vanilla ice cream! Continue reading
Tags: dessert, Jewish holidays, orange cake, recipe, rosh hashanah, sweet
Rosh Hashanah Recipes: If you’re tired of classic brisket, try sweet and tangy brisket…
7 Sep
Everyone knows the old classic brisket recipe ingredient: Lipton Onion Soup. So what happens when you throw caution to the wind and toss the soup packet? Deliciousness, that’s what! This recipe came about in a somewhat strange way–my mom basically imagined it up. In the process of trying to recreate a recipe she had seen on television she stumbled upon this mix of flavors and well…the rest is history. It’s sweet and tangy and awesome and I have literally seen people who don’t even like brisket gobble it up (I’m looking at you Seth!). I have already received no less than six emails from people letting me know they are making it for the holidays this year…again! Everyone asks my mom for this recipe. Try it, you will not be disappointed. Recipe (and video tutorial!) after the jump… Continue reading
Tags: brisket, dinner, Jewish holidays, rosh hashanah, Rosh Hashanah recipes, sweet and tangy brisket
Rosh Hashanah Recipes: If you’re tired of sweet kugel try onion kugel…
6 Sep
As I’ve mentioned many times before, I’m not a big fan of anything sweet. I’m also not a big fan of raisins, which makes sweet noodle kugel far from one of my favorite things. Knowing this, my grandma always made sure to make me another kugel on Jewish holidays- one with a more savory taste… hence, the onion kugel!
Now…orginally I was going to leave it at that, but when I mentioned this post to my friend Melissa she gave me a look of horror and declared herself a “kugel purist!” So, in honor of the kugel purists I’ve included BOTH recipes after the jump… Continue reading
Tags: onion kugel, Rosh Hashana, Rosh Hashanah recipes, sweet noodle kugel
