This week we celebrated Rosh Chodesh Adar Bet, and that means only one thing: Purim is fast approaching and Passover is not far behind. But there is no reason to panic. This easy broccoli slaw will guarantee you a seat of honor at whatever Purim seudah you are invited to, provided that you bring along enough salad for everyone to have at least two helpings. And the good news is…
I smiled as I stood at my front door and watched my neighbor Ilan skateboard down the middle of our street, while two members of his large brood scootered excitedly behind him. There were a couple of unusual things about this idyllic picture. This scene took place on a record-setting mild day this past January. And nobody enjoyed this unseasonably balmy weather more than Ilan. He’s my snow plow contractor.…
I glanced up at the cerulean, sunny sky and rejoiced in my last precious day in Israel. Then I bent down to pluck another kohlrabi from the ground, twisting, pulling, and removing the roots and leaves, before depositing it in the bucket at my feet. As part of our volunteer work mission in Israel, our group assignment on this cloudless day was to harvest two (very) long rows of kohlrabi…
This year, the holiday of Sukkot was one of the most beautiful celebrations that I remember. The weather was unseasonably warm and we spent brilliant, sunny days in the sukkah surrounded by family. On Shemini Atzeret, the temperature dropped 20 degrees Celsius overnight. We sat in the sukkah for one last day, huddled in our coats, eyeing the threatening, gray clouds that were suspended in the sky overhead. Incommunicado because…
Nothing says summer like freshly picked corn, slathered with butter, and a judicious sprinkling of salt. But if you’re looking for inspiration beyond boiling it and eating it on the cob, this recipe for grilled corn salad fits the bill. The rich flavors of charred sweet corn, nutty roasted broccoli, and sugary sweet potatoes, are highlighted with a smoky paprika dressing in this summery salad. This eye-catching side dish by…
I conceded defeat in my battle against the squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits that wreaked havoc in my garden and came to the shocking realization that I had probably spent $12 on each of the three homegrown cherry tomatoes that Thumper, Chip and Dale had overlooked. Regretfully, I took a pause from growing vegetables last year. But the allure of heirloom tomato plants at my local garden center with enticing sounding…
I am in the midst of my annual pre-Passover purge. The nether regions of my deep freezer are surrendering mysterious snowy packages and neatly labelled single serving containers of leftovers that nobody wanted to eat in the first place. After I suddenly realized that I forgot to prepare anything for supper one night, Hubby and I made short work of the neglected pan of cabbage rolls that had been languishing…
If you have found yourself fruitlessly searching for romaine or iceberg lettuce at your local grocer, you are not alone. Faced with a shortage due to a dry growing season in California, followed by a virus that killed off a lot of the remaining lettuce crop, lettuce is in very limited supply and prices for the leafy greens have tripled. But there is no need to eschew your daily five…
As we traversed the streets of the Geulah neighborhood of Jerusalem at 9:30 in the evening, the sidewalks teemed with shoppers accompanied by excited children and sleeping babies, everyone enjoying the cooler evening air. Welcome back Israel after a two-year Covid hiatus. With my cell phone clutched tightly to my ear, I listened attentively as my son gave me careful and detailed instructions directing me to his favorite bookstore in…
According to the New York Times, more than 750 flights with at least one stop in the United States were canceled this past holiday weekend as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus sidelined crews during one of the year’s busiest times for travel. In New Jersey, lines at Covid testing centers are hours long putting a further crimp in the plans of travelers (sigh). It’s time for a getaway to…