As 2016 rolls in, Esther reminisces about the New Year’s Eves of her childhood and celebrates the technology that has made the world so small that she can be in touch with Shaina in Israel.
At Home Today, in Israel Tomorrow

As 2016 rolls in, Esther reminisces about the New Year’s Eves of her childhood and celebrates the technology that has made the world so small that she can be in touch with Shaina in Israel.
I have been shopping, cooking and eating in multiple cycles since Thanksgiving. For a break from the heavy, labor-intensive meals, I go to the fresh fish market and buy the wildest freshest fish they have that day. I have made this recipe with a variety of different white fishes, and they all taste delicious. Throw…
Even when life is speeding forward, peeling and chopping helps Esther remain in the present moment. That’s one of the things she’s grateful for when it comes to Thanksgiving and preparing for it.
Rosh Hashanah is the usual holiday for pomegranates, but the pomegranates, apparently, weren’t prepared for an early Rosh Hashanah. They appeared in the store last week looking hardier and larger than I have ever seen. I had to have them and created this salad with them in mind. This side dish meets all my Thanksgiving…
How do you best prepare for the 25-hour-long Yom Kippur fast? For Esther, it now means a pre-fast meal of satisfying dairy dishes and comfort foods, fresh salads and lots of vegetables.
After picking, shelling, sifting and washing bushels of purple hull peas, I thought I would never want to see them again. The freezer was more than full of quart bags of shelled peas and corn cut off the cob. I had to do something! I put everything in a big pot and ended up with…
Shaina is off to Israel once again, leaving Esther to reflect on her whirlwind visit (including some pedicure pampering!) and enjoy summer—no-mayo potato salad, bluebirds in the front yard and all.
This is my go-to summer potato salad. It has no mayonnaise, which makes it a little less scary to take on a summer picnic, and takes full advantage of all the herbs growing in our garden. It is very flavorful, and everyone seems to love it. Make it a day ahead of time, and it…
After much trial and error and memories of waiting by the stove for her mother to mess up a blintz skin, Esther has finally mastered Bubbe’s famous blintzes, perfect for Shavuot.
These grits make a perfect accompaniment to a Shavuot or weeknight dairy dinner. They can be baked or reheated in a casserole topped with grated cheese when serving a crowd for brunch or dinner. They go well with fresh fish, a crustless quiche or a veggie omelet and a fresh green salad.