I use wine (alcohol) and lots of different liqueurs when I cook, especially in cold weather and during the holidays. So I have often wondered, does alcohol/liquor cook/bake off when I use it? The answers surprised me. I love wine in food, not just as an accompaniment alongside a meal. Whether it's wine in Julia Child's recipe for onion soup (yes, I know the traditional version does not use wine), coq au vin, or beef stew, wine elevates the dish. Beer too, of course. From beer-coated ... read more
Vegan Chocolate Pasta Dessert
I didn't set out to avoid dairy or eggs in this dessert. Nor did I intend to make this single serving as chocolaty as it ended up. But so it goes. And this Vegan Chocolate Pasta Dessert is no-bake too. Easy to put together with leftovers or pantry ingredients, I can see why it works well as a Christmas Eve tradition. It's perfect when you can't imagine baking or cooking a dessert, yet still yearn for a sweet. It's not a model of neatness. In fact, its rather unruly look is part of ... read more
Greek-Style Puff Pastry Breadsticks
Holiday time is almost here. That means company. And in turn, if you are like me, that means you want recipes that whip up quickly with impressive results. Count these Greek-Style Puff Pastry ... read more
Savory Noodle Kugel
There was an old commercial that used the phrase, "you don't have to be Jewish to love..." In that case, during the 1960's and '70s, it was Levy's rye bread. Now it's just as good a tag line for this ... read more
Easy Apple Puff Pastry Tart
Every once in a while, I cheat. I don't mean cheating on my beloved. That's not happening. But shortcuts in the kitchen, now that's the type of cheating I will do and feel good about. This Easy Apple ... read more
Apple Cake – A Rosh Hashanah Tradition
Every fall I look forward to making this apple cake. While it's a Jewish High Holy Day tradition (especially for Rosh Hashanah), the cake has universal appeal. I have no idea when I first ... read more