This dairy pastry is a staple in every Syrian home on Shavuot (and after every fast). A couple of years ago, I had this great idea of doing a series of posts featuring teens in the kitchen. Some of my daughter’s friends stepped up and demonstrated a favorite recipe for me to photograph. And then…
Basics
Basics: How to Set the Seder Plate.
This might be your first time setting up a Seder Plate. Here’s how to do it. We all remember seeing the seder plate on our seder tables since we were little girls, yet when it comes to preparing all the components on our own…we are kinda lost. We end up calling our moms (which is…
Basics: How to Make Pesach Rolls (Gebrokts)
These Pesach rolls were always a staple when I was growing up. My earliest Pesach memories involve sitting on the steps of the Javits Center during a Chol Hamoed trip eating these Pesach rolls and cream cheese. Before Pesach lunches, my mother would make them fresh and bring them to the table hot out of…
Basics: How to Make Charoses
Learn how to make charoses for your Pesach seder. If you’re making Pesach for the first time this year, you’re going to need to make charoses yourself. This is our favorite version. Use hazelnuts without the peel. If you cannot find peeled hazelnuts, simply toast whole hazelnuts. Rub the nuts between your palms or in…
Basics: How to Make Perfect Meringues
If I don’t make any other sweet thing on Pesach, I will make meringues…the melt-in-your-mouth perfect little sweet treat. Let’s get a few things straight. I don’t leave my meringues in the oven overnight. We like them crisp on the outside, and chewy on the inside. And you can accomplish that simply by baking for…
Basics: A Sushi Dinner Isn’t Complete Without Sweet Sauce
It’s easy to make the essential sushi dipping sauce. Everyone knows that sushi is always better with the condiments, including spicy mayo (mayo and sriracha sauce, quantity depends on desired heat) and that thick, sweet, teriyaki-like concoction known as sweet sauce. It’s simple to make too. Simply boil the ingredients together until thickened. Then dip…
Basics: Cheese Sauce (with Nachos, Of Course)
It starts with butter. Then goes the milk and cheese. A spicy kick is optional. It’s hot, oozing cheese sauce and it’s perfect for right now. What says comfort food more than gooey, creamy cheese sauce? Nachos, loaded baked potatoes, French fries—all of these move to the next level with cheese sauce. So now let’s…
Basics: One Bowl No Mixer Cupcakes
There is one basic every family needs. Why cupcakes? Because cupcakes are always a last minute thing. Need to send something to school party? Forgot someone’s birthday is coming up? Kids bored on Sunday? Cupcakes always come to the rescue. When we decided we needed a cupcake recipe for BCP I didn’t have to go…
Basics: How To Make French Toast.
Serve it for breakfast or dinner, this classic remains a favorite. French toast is a Sunday brunch staple in our home. Recently, with the change of the clock, it has become a motzei Shabbos supper. Leftover challah is always a bonus, but any sliced bread will do. A good idea is to buy a sliced…
Basics: How to Cook Quinoa
Learn the way to cook this ancient grain for the best possible results. Some people love it, some people hate it. But if you prepare it correctly (and use it in one of the great recipes linked below), you’re certain to have a great salad or side that’s both healthy and popular. Basics Quinoa …