party planning

Party Planning Tips: Have Fun Entertaining!

Party Planning done right is always half the battle. The following chapter is included in my first book, Levana's Table: Kosher Cooking for Everyone, and is all about perfect party planning My readers have always found it very useful,  and…
quick healthy cooking

Quick Healthy Cooking Survival Guide Quick Recipes

Quick Healthy Cooking This often seems an impossibility when we are on the go. The logistics of quick healthy cooking often seem impractical. We all find ourselves, occasionally and sometimes not so occasionally, in situations that bring…
crockpot recipes
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Crockpot Recipes: Plug it and Forget it

Crockpot recipes: I am often asked if I intend to write a cookbook on the immensely popular subject. No I don't - it's not necessary: there's no end of crockpot recipes and cookbooks out there. But I do intend to point out what a wonderful…

Fear of Flying: Ruminations of a Former World Traveler

Fear of Flying, I have often observed, lingers long after some of us have made their peace with flying. On the eve of our departure to Israel, I am reminded of an email my friend Eve sent a few friends after her flight from Miami to Australia,…

Say No to MSG Forever!

The stats about MSG listed in the picture below are nothing short of alarming. It hadn't occurred to me to include this information about MSG before, thinking by now it was clear to everyone they should stay away from MSG (no, not Madison Square…
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Noidue Restaurant: Panini, Coffee and Nostalgia a la carte

There are several reasons Noidue Restaurant tugs at my heartstrings. Some questions come up about it quite often:  I thought sharing my thoughts would make me feel somewhat more at peace with seeing a whole chunk of our lives behind us.... Here's…
Trio of tuna
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Trio of Tuna Recipe. Salmon Variation

Trio of Tuna This trio of tuna is always glamorous, and so simple I demonstrated the three dishes as a small part of a whole cooking demo called "intimate meals": Nothing to it! Tuna handrolls, Tuna tartare,  and seared tuna. Three winners! Trio…

Plan your Elopement: There will Always be a Chabad House!

Never mind the popular belief: Elopements are almost always carefully thought out. The only people who deny this simple fact are those who were vexed about not having been consulted, or those who were left behind. This summer has been particularly…
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Cape Cod Cold Kugel Recipe

Huh? Cold Kugel? What's going on, have I lost my head? Who needs a cold kugel recipe? Who would even give cold kugel the right time of day? Or was I just playing with alliteration (Cape Cold Cold Kugel: Does sound catchy!)? Seriously: All of…
horned melon

Strange Fruit, Indeed: Horned Melon

Strange Fruit   Strange fruit is often what you might come across before Rosh Hashanah or Tu Bishvat on the produce stalls. I cook up a storm on Tishrei (here is my giant Rosh Hashanah-Tisherei Menu and Recipes) This past Rosh…

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,…
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…