No Name Calling EVER, Stupid!

Mine is a family notorious for bringing every argument to its - hopefully favorable - outcome, no matter what it takes. Sometimes the argument is conducted in installments, court-style. Thank you, we are not considering reality TV. One guest,…
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Ask Lévana!

Do you have a burning question regarding cooking techniques or recipes? Here is the place to ask me! Please leave your question in the comment section below and I will be happy to reply with an answer.  
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Renewing vows

Renewing Vows, the Virtual Way

Renewing Vows Recently I said to Sara, who helps me and tutors me in all things technical, I should have more of a profile on Facebook. My list of friends was expanding, G-d bless, and so it would be a nice idea. So we edited the profile to…
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NYC Hick Goes out to Queens

I have been living in the United States almost two generations. I have lived in an apartment structure my whole life, in big cities only: Casablanca, Paris New York, etc.... you get the picture. I am a complete city mouse, don't drive, and cannot…
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Kosher Fruit Concentrates

I recently called the Star-K to ask if we could use fruit concentrates without a kosher sign, and they explain that although technically it would be OK, we do need a kosher sign as the processing plant might also be processing grape products,…
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A Lovely Thing Happened on the Way to Birdland

First read this email I sent to the ticket office, it will tell the first part of the story: I am so sorry I made a very stupid - but a very honest - mistake. Next week is my daughter's birthday and my gift to her was Birdland-and-dinner.…
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gluten-free pizza

Converting a Rabbi to Gluten-Free Pizza Recipe

Gluten-Free Pizza? Yeah, Right, nice try! https://levanacooks.com/recipe/gluten-free-pizza-recipe/ What an adventure it was, trying Gluten-free Pizza on my bread-chomping son Yakov! Reb Yakov is the poster child for the meat-and-potato-and-lots-of-ketchup…
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Rave Reviews

I often receive feedback about my classes or recipes that just makes me kvell. If you have made any of my recipes and have feedback to share with me, I would love to hear from you! You can leave a note in the comments section below. Here is…
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Linguini Puttanesca

The Pasta Factory Teaneck

Dinner at the Pasta Factory Teaneck on Mother's Day was a great experience.  We had one of the Mother's Day prix fixe  menus, and it was spectacular: Corn Tomatillo soup, baby rack of lamb, and assorted desserts. Every bit as delicious as…
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The Seduction of Dashi

The Seduction of Dashi

This morning I received something which for years I used to perceive as a berating lecture,  but which I have long since identified as an unmitigated compliment, indeed a tribute: It has to do with being dogged, and never taking no for an answer.…
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Caterer, Meet The Mother of the Bride!

I was a caterer many years,  and catered countless simchas.  When my time came to plan for my children's wedding and be a plain-clothes customer, Mother of the Bride, I had a "choice" between striking fear in the hearts of those caterers and…
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