Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year celebration, begins at sundown on October 2. All over the country, Jewish families, including mine, will gather with friends and family to recite the holiday blessings, break bread and wish one another “L’shana tovah:” a sweet new year! With less than a month to go, it is not too early to start planning your Rosh ...
Shortcake with Grilled Peaches & Rosemary
I have had such a busy summer that I have barely had time to do the things I love best: shop at the farmers market, pick my own fruits and vegetables at a pick-your-own farm, and cook for friends and family. This weekend, however, we found ourselves with a blissfully unscheduled Sunday. On the spur of the moment, I invited some friends to join ...
Food Swap in Seattle and Portland
The next stop on the Food Swap book tour is the Pacific Northwest! I am incredibly excited to return to Seattle, one of my favorite cities, and visit Portland, Oregon for the first time. I know: can you believe I've never been to Portland? Such an amazing food town, right? I honestly can't wait. I'm especially looking forward to the Pacific ...
Kids Cooking Class with Ming Tsai at Macy’s
This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of Macy’s; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Today's kids, raised on shows like Masterchef Junior and Chopped, love to cook. My kids are no exception. They love to bake cookies and cupcakes and help me prepare family meals. So when I found that JR could participate ...
Grinding Flour with Mockmill and a recipe for Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Today’s post is sponsored by Mockmill. All opinions expressed herein are entirely my own. Baking bread and pastries with whole grain, freshly milled flour is an emerging culinary trend. Indeed, some of the country’s best bakeries, such as Josey Baker Bread in San Francisco and Baker Miller in Chicago, only bake with flour they mill ...
Food Swap in Philly and NYC
I'm back home from a wonderful week in California, which I spent promoting Food Swap, seeing friends, eating fabulous food (Tartine, Mourad, Wise Sons deli among others), checking out the new San Francisco MoMA, and attending my third International Food Bloggers Conference (IFBC). (Did you happen to catch my appearance on "Good Day Sacramento" on ...
Food Swap in California
I'm in California this week doing a whole series of events to promote my book Food Swap. How lucky am I? On Sunday, I joined the SF Swappers, the San Francisco food swap group that I profile in my book, for their July swap. I bought some of my garam masala spice mix to trade, the recipe for which is in Food Swap, because it was an easy item to ...
Learn More About GMOs
Today's post is sponsored by GMO Answers via MomTrends. As always, all opinions expressed herein are entirely my own. These days, talking about agriculture can lead to some pretty tense conversations. There are many heated issues around food production including organic versus conventional farming, how antibiotics should be used, and ...
Harissa Deviled Eggs (with no Mayo!)
A lightened up version of deviled eggs without any mayonnaise!. Have I ever mentioned that my husband hates mayonnaise? Like hates it. The number of times he has failed to eat lunch entirely because the caterer pre-mayonnaised -- yes, my husband thinks "to mayonnaise" is a verb -- all the sandwiches at some meeting is higher than it should ...
Summer Cookout Recipes with Stephanie Izard
This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of Macy’s; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. In the pantheon of Chicago celebrity chefs, Stephanie Izard ranks among my favorites. Not only was Stephanie the first woman to win on “Top Chef,” my favorite television show, she is also a fellow curly girl and an ...
Pokemon GO Cupcakes
Has Pokémon GO fever hit your house? Both of my kids have started playing the new, augmented reality mobile game and are completely obsessed with capturing wild Pokémon, gathering supplies at Pokéstops and battling at nearby gyms. It's no surprise that JR loves Pokémon GO: he's been a Pokémon fan for years. But Zuzu? Five minutes ago, she had ...
Greetings from Martha’s Vineyard
I have taken some time off during this crazy busy summer, that is mostly about promoting Food Swap, to spend a week with my kids and my mom on Martha's Vineyard. I have spent many happy weeks on nearby Nantucket, but this was my first visit to this much larger island. We have had a wonderful time combing the beaches, exploring the charm of ...
Apricot and Blueberry Galette
It pains me to say it, but my husband doesn't really care for pie. It's something about the fruit-to-pastry ratio. However, I love to make pie because it's fussy and fiddly and when you get it right, it demonstrates a lot of technique. The fact that I gravitate towards more difficult recipes probably makes me unusual among cooks. A galette, ...
Food Swap in Orlando
I'm going back out on the road tomorrow to do two book events in Orlando, Florida! On Saturday morning, at 10 am, I will be participating in a mini food swap and signing copies of Food Swap at Bookmark It, Orlando's premier independent bookstore. Bookmark It is located in the East End Market, a neighborhood market and cultural food hub inspired ...
Fava Bean and Pea Spread with Mozzarella and Mint
Summertime and the living's easy. This summer, I am all about outdoor entertaining. In our new house, we have a beautiful deck that overlooks our backyard and believe me when I say that it is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine or host friends for an casual or elegant gathering. This summer is such a busy one for my family, with the ...
Rick Bayless Summer Cooking Demonstration
Today’s post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of Macy’s. As always, all opinions expressed herein are my own. Restauranteur, author, television star, Rick Bayless has been educating American audiences about authentic regional Mexican for decades. His restaurants are destinations for Chicagoans and tourists alike. And the city is ...
Strawberry Rhubarb Lattice Pie
It was pie as procrastination -- there is no doubt. Faced with a long list of overdue tasks and a full inbox, I chose instead to stop time and bake a strawberry rhubarb pie with a picture-perfect lattice top. The farmers market strawberries were on their last legs and the stalks of rhubarb were only getting stalkier. Email can wait. Produce ...
Celebrate Strawberry Shortcake Day at Macy’s
Today's post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of Macy’s. As always, all opinions expressed herein are my own. In the spring, a young cook's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of strawberry shortcake. (That's what Tennyson said, right?) Apple pie is wonderful and all, but strawberry shortcake may just be the all-American ...
Review of Naturally Sweet Food in Jars
Home food preservation expert, Marisa McClellan, whom I am delighted to call my friend, has once again revolutionized the field, this time with her latest book, Naturally Sweet Food in Jars. Featuring over 100 recipes for jams, jellies, sauces and more, all sweetened with natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, agave, coconut sugar and dried ...
Food Swap Events and Ancho Chile Pecans
As some of you know, my first book, Food Swap: Specialty Recipes for Bartering, Sharing and Giving was published this month. I am incredibly proud and excited to introduce this labor of love to the world. Food Swap is a joy to look at: full of beautiful photographs and charming design elements. I think the recipes are pretty terrific too. But don't ...
Banana Split Smoothie
Today's post is sponsored by Stonyfield Organics and Healthy Skoop. As always, all opinions are my own. Banana splits for breakfast? Have I completely abdicated my responsibilities as a mother? Is this what happens when there are two weeks of school left and I am done? I mean, done. Nah! My kids aren't really having banana splits for ...
Get Weekly Meal Plans with EatLove
On West of the Loop, I strive to offer you, my readers, delicious, healthy, from-scratch recipes for main courses, side dishes, and desserts that fit into your families' lifestyle. Having grown-up in a household with two parents who work outside the home, and having been a mom who, at various times, has worked outside the home, stayed at home and, ...
Quick Pickled Asparagus with Shallot and Tarragon
Thanks to Riveridge Produce for sponsoring today's post. Look for Michigan-grown Riveridge asparagus in stores this spring! The season for local Michigan asparagus is short. Too short if you love asparagus as much I do! But you can continue to enjoy asparagus for a few extra weeks by pickling them. Now, don’t panic: this recipe is for a ...
Soy Sesame Asparagus Rice Bowl
Thanks to Riveridge Produce for sponsoring today's post. Look for Michigan-grown Riveridge asparagus in stores this spring! It's finally asparagus season! Are you as happy as I am? Yes, I know that today you can buy asparagus all year round. In a world where asparagus are always available, does asparagus season have any meaning? Well, for ...
Grilled Purple Sweet Potatoes
Oh, purple. The color of royalty. The color of luxury. Ever since the world lost Prince a few weeks ago, we've been seeing purple everywhere. But purple has always been my color of choice. In fact, it's my favorite color. But until recently, I have not expressed my love of purple through food. There are simply not that many purple foods to be ...