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...]

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...]

Purim – Hamantaschen Cookies

The Jewish holiday of Purim begins on Wednesday.  One of my fondest memories as a child was delighting in the vast array of Hamantaschen cookies: a filled-pocket cookie or pastry recognizable for its triangular shape. My mother used to make her version with prune and poppy seed and, while I sadly could not find the recipe in her archives, I'm so thrilled to be able to share an original recipe from our resident Kosher food expert, celebrated cookbook author, and creator of the Kosher Cookbook app for iPhone- Gloria Kobrin. I do hope you'll … [Read more...]