My introduction to Aleppo pepper came when I cooked Syrian Baked Lamb Kibbeh with my friend Anton and his son. Anton's family is from Aleppo and he remembers his mother and grandmother often using the pepper in their recipes. Spices have a family connection for me, too. My father was in the spice business when I was small. As an adult, I've discovered that my ancestor, Philip Kumin, was a spice merchant in Eastern Europe. And then there is my last name. although ... read more
Jewish Cheese Blintzes for Shavuot
Cheese blintzes are traditional for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. Growing up, my family didn't celebrate Shavuot and I certainly did not know what foods it was customary to eat on that holiday. But I always loved cheese blintzes. Lightly fried in butter and topped with sour cream, they are a delight. I always looked forward to them. Of course, in my Mad Men childhood, they always came frozen from a grocery store. At the time, that seemed quite natural. I ate grilled American cheese ... read more
Fish with Lemon Caper Sauce
My favorite dinner party dishes are simple and elegant. This Fish with Lemon Caper Sauce definitely fits that bill. It works with lots of different types of fish too. The lemon and capers give the ... read more
Savory Passover Matzo Muffins – Felichikas or Kigelach
Savory Passover Matzo Muffins are my newest way to deal with matzo. I'm willing to eat it (and forgo bread) for a week, but I'm not going to chomp on its original, cardboard form any more than I have ... read more
Easy Mini Muffin Cup Appetizers
Easy Mini Muffin Cup Appetizers came about after the last meeting of my cookbook club. They are inspired by two gorgeous dishes at the club's last meeting. Mine have a more homemade look, but that's ... read more
Passover Orange-Scented Loaf Cake
Passover typically brings dessert dilemmas. Along with seder rituals and matzo comes the dreaded no "regular" flour rule. That makes it difficult to bake a cake with body. Until now. This Passover ... read more
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