Oct 24
The following recipe is one of the best and easiest I’ve discovered. I have made it using different types of flours and they all turn out well: regular wheat, whole wheat, white spelt, spelt pastry, whole spelt, and a mixture of different flours. I use demerara sugar instead of white, and sometimes add honey for extra sweetness. My children are now so “spoiled” by my homemade challah that they complain when I purchase challah from the store.
Dec 29
Who doesn’t remember, as a child, sneaking forbidden sips of punch at a festive family gathering? Oh! the sweetness of it all; the wonderful alcoholic glow—without the youthful agonies of trying to down an undiluted glass of ordinary rum or vodka.
Dec 15
As a child growing up in a small Midwestern American city, Chanukah held a special magic for me. My late father, who must have possessed a largely untapped creative streak, devoted many hours to creating wonderful decorations out of Styrofoam, strings of blue-and-white electric lights, and blue and silver glitter. We were the proud owners …
Dec 01
Every once in a while I’m contacted by an aspiring author of historical fiction who wants to know how she (or he) can make the historical research faster and easier. Fortunately, the contact is usually made by email or phone; that way they can’t see me silently shake my head in dismay. Yes, we’d all like to be more efficient. But if I were to try to save time, I’d cut back on the time I spend on Facebook and Twitter. The time I spend doing historical research—even when it seems like I’m getting nowhere—usually turns out to be pure gold.
Nov 23
This week I have the honor of hosting guest blogger Sophie Schiller. Ms. Schiller is the author of Spy Island, a historical novel set in the Danish West Indies. Her next novel, Race to Tibet, is due to be released soon. Visit her author page on Amazon.com. The West Indies is steeped in history. Wandering down the …
Oct 07
Tomorrow at sundown, Sukkot, the next holiday in the Jewish holiday cycle, begins. The holiday commemorates the 40 years that the Children of Israel traveled in the wilderness following the Exodus from Egypt, living in temporary shelters and miraculously surrounded and shielded by “clouds of glory.” For seven days and nights, observant Jews throughout the …
Sep 22
We are in the final countdown until Rosh Hashanah, which this year presents Jewish cooks with an additional challenge. Because the two-day holiday falls on Wednesday night, it goes directly into the Sabbath, requiring the preparation of seven meals—two for each day of Rosh Hashanah and three for the Sabbath. You may be asking yourself …
Sep 21
On Rosh Hashanah, sweet foods traditionally grace the holiday table. The challah, or special egg bread, served on Rosh Hashanah is no exception. And there is nothing more heavenly then warm, home-baked challah dipped in honey, especially when it also contains luscious golden raisins. If you’ve never made challah or any other type of bread, now …
Sep 18
If the thought of Rosh Hashanah meals evokes visions of apples and honey, kugels and tzimmes—a sweet concoction of carrots, prunes and honey—this is notice that times have changed. Over the past several decades, the tradition of eating significant omens (simanim in Hebrew) on Rosh Hashanah night has become increasingly widespread. The custom of simanim …
Sep 17
Next Wednesday evening marks the onset of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, 5775. Known as the Day of Judgment, when each of us is judged for our actions and omissions during the previous year, the holiday requires both immense spiritual and culinary preparations. With the exception of Passover, Rosh Hashanah probably provides the widest …
