This coming Monday is Memorial Day, which is the unofficial start of summer, and Lag BaOmer, which was this week, plays a similar role on the Jewish calendar. More importantly it signals the start of grilling* season, although I personally believe if you try hard enough, any season is grilling season. The staple of any … [Read more…]
Cinco De Mayo: Italian Beef Tacos On Poblano Tortillas Topped With Roasted Tomatillo Salsa and Pickled Red Onions I personally consider tacos the world’s perfect food. There really in no wrong way to make a taco. Crunchy or soft, flour or corn, they are all good in my book. As for proteins, tacos are a … [Read more…]
Let’s talk about cheap meat and the traditional Passover Seder roast. There is a lot of meat being sold in the kosher market that is grass fed from South America, primarily Uruguay that tends to cost significantly less than domestic beef. It tends to be very tough and lean. Some people think it has a … [Read more…]
Charcuterie boards are all the rage today. They can make a beautiful centerpiece on your buffet or a great appetizer. Charcuterie boards are made with high end meats, cheeses, smoked fish or even vegetables. Usually all the items are served cold. Chanie Apfelbaum the amazing blogger at Busy in Brooklyn makes some beautiful ones. You … [Read more…]
It probably seems a bit weird…a non-meat eater winning a cholent cookoff? Well, that’s exactly what happened a few weeks ago when I beat out 5 other people at my synagogue’s 3rd annual Adas Yeshurun Cholent Cookoff! Okay, it was ONLY 6 entries, but hey, I’ll take that trophy any day! BACK TO THE BEGINNING Maybe … [Read more…]
Ruben Flat Bread Rachel recently posted a recipe for Smoked Salmon and Avocado Stacks. That motivated me to come up with an easy appetizer recipe of my own. I have always loved making fun appetizers. On a Shabbat morning when I am expecting guests for lunch, I can often be found spending hours meticulously plating my appetizers. … [Read more…]
Hang on folks because this one is a bit long (at least for my posts). If you like BBQ I promise it is worth it. If you make it to the end your patience will be rewarded with an award-winning rib recipe (or you could just scroll down to the recipe, I won’t tell). Back … [Read more…]
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo this week, I challenged Rachel to make tamales. I decided to go fairly traditional for mine, with just a slight twist on the flavors. What are Tamales? A tamale is a filled corn flour dumpling, usually wrapped in a corn husk (which can be found in most major grocery stores) … [Read more…]
In honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut and Israel’s 70th birthday I challenged Rachel to a chickpea (AKA garbanzo bean) challenge. Chickpeas are the main ingredient in hummus, the increasingly popular paste that Israelis eat like Americans eat peanut butter. I realize in this challenge I am taking Rachel on on her own turf giving me a distinct … [Read more…]
Upon walking into Mendel’s joint, Backyard BBQ and Brew, the first impression I got was a cool and hip ambiance with a laid back attitude, a place to chill with amazing food and drinks. The artfully decorated walls displaying just a sampling of Mendel’s awards from various BBQ competitions that he has been competing in for only … [Read more…]