Sometime in childhood, I learned to expect brisket on almost every holiday except for Thanksgiving. Even if we went to the home of one of my six aunts, we had brisket, usually pretty much the … more

The other day, a friend asked me what I was making for dinner. The truth was that I had no plans for dinner at all. I was still sore and exhausted from non-stop gardening and had been so busy … more

Here in the northeast, early August is the height of tomato season. No matter how we plan our gardens, the heat of August always seems to ripen hundreds at the same time. While there is nothing … more

June is flying by. Shavuot has passed and the grill is waiting to be called up for active duty, if only the weather would cooperate. Soon it will be Father’s Day. I remember always being … more

As I write this on the evening of Mother’s Day, I think about my own mother who, to be honest, was not a very good cook. She had absolutely no interest in cooking or baking. She was a … more

In many homes, Super Bowl Sunday — Feb. 13 — has taken on the characteristics of a holiday, right down to the rituals and foods associated with the big day. Despite the lingering … more

I was about 6 and off to Sunday school to celebrate Tu B’Shevat. That’s when I learned it was a birthday party — for trees. Well, at least there would be birthday cake? … more

It is time for our annual “sinkers or floaters” great debate. Should our Pesach matzah balls float in the golden chicken soup or should they sink below the surface? This debate has … more

My grandmother made a potato kugel that I can still taste — maybe because of the copious amounts of gribenes and chicken fat she used in the mix. Whatever it was, the kugel was delicious, … more

There is lots of nutritional knowledge out there and plenty of advice on diet do’s and don’t’s. Diets are everywhere and eating fads are abundant (eat fat, no carbs; eat carbs, … more