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Passover Baked Meatballs
The Pesach (Passover) marathon has begun! Now that Purim is behind us, the supermarkets have started to stock Kosher for Passover meats and ingredients. To add another element of excitement, right before Purim we were advised that a Nor’easter was due to hit the Northeast two days after Purim. Most people ran out to stock…
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Roasted Sweet Potato and Beet Salad
For our annual Purim seuda (festive meal), I decided to prepare a new salad. This salad took inspiration from a delicious battata (sweet potato) salad that I enjoyed at Cafe Greg in Rosh Pina in the Upper Galilee of Israel. It combined the delicious colors, flavors and textures of roasted sweet potatoes, candied almonds and shredded…
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Tortilla Bowl Appetizer
For the recent Sheva Brochos that I hosted for my cousins, I needed to serve a non-fish appetizer that could be served at room temperature. I was having a difficult time finding a suitable appetizer that would work well within these constraints. So, I asked my married daughters for some advice. And, together, we came up…
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A Beautifully Plated Entree
This entree combines salmon sliders, a simple arugula salad with grape tomatoes and beet pesto pasta. It is about creating originality, whimsy and appetite by mixing different colors, textures and flavors. Here are some tips that I used for plating this entree: Repurpose simple items you already have to create that wow Note…
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Esther’s Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
There are recipes that feel decadent but are simple to prepare. This is one of those wonderfully simple recipes. The smooth earthiness of the mushrooms paired with the coarse texture and deep flavor of the stuffing is heavenly. This recipe was first given to me by my cousin, Esther. I asked her for the recipe…
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Simple Roasted Cauliflower Lentil Soup
It is cold outside and the weather is perfect for soup. On these windy and cold winter mornings, I love to prepare a crockpot soup that will be ready for lunch and then again for dinner. There is nothing quite like a hearty winter soup. Delicious and nutritious soups don’t have to be complicated. This…
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Goldie’s Vintage Sheva Brochos Menu
Last week, I hosted Sheva Brochos for my cousin, Goldie and her chosson (groom), Tuvia. The Sheva Brochos are seven blessings that are recited at the wedding and then again daily for the first week of marriage. Typically, the tradition of Sheva Brochos includes a festive meal followed by the recitation of these seven blessings in the…
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Sheva Brochos To-Go Station
Last week, in preparation for Goldie and Tuvia’s Sheva Brochos (one of seven wedding after-parties, each with seven blessings), I purchased a large box of hamentaschen (triangular Purim pastries) to add to the Viennese table. While I was setting up, Don mentioned that we should set up a to-go station similar to those that we…
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Pomegranate Truffles
There is something about pomegranate seeds that are oh, so delicious and create such a taste and texture sensation. The soft outside and the pop in your mouth juiciness is something so unique and so wonderful. The bright red color is reminiscent of a red heart and what better ingredient to pair with pomegranate seeds than…
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Nutty Beet Pesto Pasta
There are certain new recipes that have the power to surprise and delight. This one is one of those awesome recipes. It is colorful and delicious and at the same time, it is simple and versatile. The smooth texture of the beets offsets the nutty texture of the almonds and the gorgeous pink color offers…
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Who did it better? Free nightstand vs. $395
I just received the newest Anthropologie House & Home catalogue and had so much fun leafing through it. When I turned to page 75, I couldn’t believe my eyes! There was a nightstand so similar to the one that I refinished from a free cast-off in A Nightstand Castoff: Simply Upgraded and Gilded. Oh,…
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Simplest Sesame Noodles
When looking for a pareve and delicious pasta dish, this is my go-to recipe. It started out as a Kosher by Design recipe and I have adapted and simplified it over the years. It is still a winner and the perfect pasta dish. To upgrade this dish in the simplest way, I use interesting pasta…
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White and Wow Wedding Arches
When Kaitlyn’s friends started to get married, we realized that there were no places in our community to rent or borrow wedding shtick (items of whimsy to adorn the wedding dancing). That left only one choice. We quickly needed to figure out how to make our own. And we did. The most popular item that…
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A Special Day for Savta
With the red carpet, of course, we will need a welcome home sign. And, a welcome home party thrown by the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And, so the celebration begins…
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The Blessing and Renewal of Tu Beshvat
Tu B’Shevat reminds us of the dormant potential in the trees and in each one of us. Just as the trees and their seeds lie dormant during the harsh and cold winter months, often we have times of dormancy. Our hope is that we recognize the potential in ourselves, our children and those around us,…
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Sweet Potato Butternut Squash Marigolds
A few weeks ago, I invited our new neighbors over for Shabbos lunch. I was tired of my tried and true recipes so I decided to combine the ingredients and techniques from a couple of my favorite SimpletoWow recipes. I really wasn’t sure how it would work out. Luckily, the end-product was a most pleasant and…
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Plating Lesson: Leah’s Birthday Dessert
Today was Leah’s birthday and we celebrated the special day by going out as a family to Leah’s favorite restaurant in Manhattan, Noi Due. Don and I had never been to Noi Due and we were delighted with the food selection, presentation and taste. Although we were all too full to have dessert, we felt…
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Simple Carrot Cranberry Kugel
There are some recipes that don’t look beautiful but have that special blend of wholesome ingredients, delicious taste and perfect texture. This recipe is one of those. I have prepared it with a pound of fresh, frozen or canned carrots. I have prepared this recipe a loaf pan, in a pyrex pie dish, in individual ramekins…
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Red Grapefruit Vinaigrette
During the winter months, we reacquaint ourselves with quite a variety of citrus fruits. Our countertop fruit bowl this time of year is typically filled with clementines, navel oranges and grapefruits. That ever-present fruit bowl has always been a visual cue to weary household members to indulge in a piece of fruit, rather than scavenge…
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Don’s Birthday Ice Cream Cake
For Don’s birthday every year, I prepare a birthday cake for him. It doesn’t need to be fancy or fussy. It just needs to contain lots and lots of his favorite ice cream….Baskin Robbins Jamoca Almond Fudge. To Don, there is nothing quite like this flavor. Because…Don knows what he likes in ice cream. In…
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Upcycled Chalkboard Chargers: Simple Placecard Alternative
I love the way chargers dress up a table. It adds that extra flair to the table setting and makes the table look dressed even after the meal has begun. It is one of the wonderful tools I implement in keeping my Pesach (Passover) seder table elegant and neat (see Seder Table Ideas and Inspirations).…
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Sweet Potato Gratin with Shallots and Grapes
A gratin is a dish that is baked or broiled in a shallow dish and has a crispy upper crust. Traditionally, a gratin employs cheese and/or breadcrumbs to achieve that crispy crunchy crust. This recipe is my own pareve and low-carb version of a gratin. It is roasted and baked in a shallow dish. Oh, and…
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Salad Appetizer in a Flower Pot
A plated appetizer should be pleasing to the palate and pleasing to the eye. Very often, the difference between an ordinary appetizer and an extraordinary appetizer is in the plating. This one is the perfect example. I have taken a small terra cotta flowerpot and fitted it with a plastic cup. I filled the cup…
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Sweet Potato Cupcake Toppers
Sweet potato is a simple and versatile ingredient that is available year-round. Even the humble sweet potato can be easily dressed up. Its gorgeous orange color, its sweet flavor and its creamy smooth texture make this recipe a masterpiece. I have called this recipe “sweet potato cupcake toppers” because the mashed sweet potato pipes so…
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Etty’s Simple Basil-Dijon Vinaigrette
Leah has been raving about this vinaigrette that her friend, Etty, prepares and serves with steamed green beans. This sauce is the perfect balance of savory and sweet, has a fresh, beautiful green color and creamy texture. This vinaigrette will wow you in its versatility and simplicity. Whenever I prepare a recipe that has been shared…
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Honey Mustard Gooey Baked Chicken
There is something about gooey chicken that just feels satisfying, especially on these harsh cold wintry days. The best part of this recipe is that it is a one pot meal. The chicken, potatoes and zucchini cook all together and impart delicious flavors. The end result is a very flavorful meal of chicken and vegetables…
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Onion Mac and Cheese with Crumb Topping
Mac and Cheese is real comfort food and is always welcome in our home. Last Motzei Shabbos (Saturday night, lit. Shabbos exit), I prepared this delicious macaroni and cheese dish for ourselves and our favorite Shabbos guest, James. On Saturday nights, we enjoy a Melave Malka meal as we escort the regal Shabbos out of our…
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Same-Day Ciabatta is in the Bag
For those weeks when you remember to start the ciabatta the night before, my no-knead ciabatta recipe is perfect. It requires no kneading, very little effort in preparation and produces a delicious ciabatta bread with a crusty exterior and large air pocket holes on the inside. The only downside to this recipe is that it requires slow…
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Leah’s Crunchy Chopped Salad
When Leah read the recent blog post on her chocolate chip cookies, she felt inspired to share some new salad recipes. After all, she felt it necessary to validate her title as “Salad Queen”. One evening, on the night before I planned to clean out the refrigerator and then restock my fruits and vegetables, Leah created…
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Frosted Sugar-Coated Cranberries
My sister-in-law, Suzy, is an excellent and adventurous cook. My kids always look forward to Suzy’s signature salads and we know that we are in for a treat whenever we are invited to Itzy and Suzy’s house. Even when Suzy just prepares a “simple” meal, we are always impressed by her delicious dishes. Years ago, we…
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Leah’s Awesome Pareve Chocolate Chip Cookies
Leah’s reputation in our kitchen as a salad maker is legendary. She is known for her creative and unique salad ingredient combinations. For years, we have referred to Leah as our salad queen and we still often append “primavera” to her name just for fun. So, we were all a bit surprised when Leah decided…