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It’s finally here! We are so proud and excited that our first e-cookbook, 4 Bloggers Dish: Passover; Modern Twists on Traditional Flavors is ready to purchase. Working in partnership with 3 other AMAZING food writers, Liz Rueven of Kosher Like Me, Sarah Lasry of The Patchke Princess, and Amy Kritzer of What Jew Wanna Eat, we put together over 50 kosher for Passover recipes for a one-of-a-kind culinary experience.

Listen up, the fact of the matter is that Passover looks, smells, tastes and feels different for every Jew and I am SO honored to be working with 3 incredibly talented Jewish food bloggers who all have their own flavors, styles and way of looking at Jewish food.  Thank Gd for diversity and thank Gd for these women.  We are 4 distinct Jews with 4 distinct ways of being Jewish.  This book is a celebration of the diversity of Jewish food!

It’s no secret that I didn’t grow up keeping kosher. But a non-kosher Passover Seder does not, in any way, invalidate the Seder experience of my youth.  I loooooooved Passover.  Passover in Atlanta was the embodiment of spring! You knew Passover was right around the corner as soon as the pollen count started rising.  I got excited for warmer days and extended sunshine.  I could taste my mother’s homemade chocolate chip meringues and smell the matzoh balls way before my mom even started cooking them.  And now, as a mother, I strive to give my family that same sense of excitement and joy about Jewish holidays, regardless of what’s on the table. For me, this book embodies the world I came from and the world I am in now.

Our cookbook is available on Amazon for $7.99. Now through Sunday, March 16th, we are thrilled to offer the book for only $1.99 and half of the profits will go to an amazing organization: Mazon. This non-profit’s mission is to provide for people who are hungry while at the same time advocating for other ways to end hunger and its causes. They also aim to educate and raise the consciousness of the Jewish community regarding its obligation to alleviate hunger and its causes.  And, because they are incredible, they wrote a really lovely blog post about our book.  Check it out here.

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That way, you can cook up delicious Passover recipes and contribute to a great cause at the same time. Aside from mouth-watering modern recipes such as Balsamic Braised Short Ribs, Matzah Brie Caprese, Spaghetti Squash with Quinoa Meatballs, Sautéed Kale, Tomato, and Mushroom Quiche with a Hash Brown Crust, and Cinnamon Donut Balls, this e-cookbook also includes step-by-step instructions and beautiful visuals as well as helpful tips such as Freezer Instructions, Prep Ahead Rules, and a To-Go Guide.

4 Bloggers Dish: Passover; Modern Twists on Traditional Flavors is a must-have cookbook for every at-home chef for not only the Passover season, but all year long. Kosher for Passover has never been made more appealing and easy! These recipes will become the new traditional meals this Passover and for years to come.

4 Bloggers Dish, Passover: Modern Twists on Traditional Flavors, is now available online via Amazon and compatible for Kindle, the iPad and the Nook.  And, DON’T PANIC, if you don’t have a Kindle, simply download the free Kindle app, which is compatible with any mobile device as well as tablets and laptops.  Contact 4bloggersdish@gmail.com for additional questions.

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chocolate hamantaschen cookie jewhungry

I lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan during two separate time periods in my life.  The first time (2007) was to live a quieter, less expensive life during the months leading up to my year in Israel and the second time (2009 – 2011) was to attend Social Work School at The University of Michigan.  It was during my first night in Ann Arbor, in 2007, that I met Jackie.

I was biding my time, really. I had just moved in with my extremely patient and loving friend, Joel, who had gotten me a part-time gig as a program director at Michigan’s Hillel.  I had left everyone I knew and loved behind in Chicago and was excited to get to Israel already.  Ann Arbor was quaint and adorable (and freezing) but it had a purpose and that was to offer me a place to bide my time.  I had agreed to go with Joel to a Hillel graduate student bar night because I wanted to be a good friend and co-worker (Joel just also happened to be my new boss) but I was in no mood to go out.  I hadn’t been at the bar more than 15 minutes when Joel introduced me to Jackie.  It was love at first sight. Within minutes we had decided to move on to another bar where we could go dancing (until the wee hours of the night, as it turned out).  If it we decided we might be friends while at the bar, it was on the dance floor that we sealed the deal and decided (without saying anything) that we would be friends for ever. From that night on, we were inseparable.

All lined up and ready for baking.

All lined up and ready for baking.

My bestie and her best girl.

My bestie and her best girl.

Siona showing Violet a few things.

Siona showing Violet a few things.

It’s been seven years since we met that night in Ann Arbor.  Since that night, Jackie agreed to lead a Birthright trip just so she could visit me in Israel (where she counseled me into attending Social Work School, one of the best decisions of my life).  We’ve been there for each other through heart breaks and finally finding our basherts. We’ve been there for each other during stressful wedding planning and major career decisions. And now, most recently, we’ve been there for each other as we brought our daughters into this world.

This past Sunday was the first time our girls got to hang out together and it was one of the sweetest days of my life. Siona could not get enough of ‘baby’ and Violet just hung out and spent the day being lovely and peaceful.  When both girls went down for a nap, it was cookie time.  Since Jackie (in partnership with our third Musketeer, Annie) is one of the people who inspired me to start cooking, it only seemed appropriate that we spend some time cooking together.  I was inspired to do a hamantaschen based on my favorite Girl Scout cookie, the Thin Mint. My girl Amy over at What Jew Wanna Eat must have the same genius thinking because she just posted a similar cookie today. Mine is a little different as it focuses on that sweet, decadent chocolate and the mint is brought in via a subtle peppermint glaze. And, if peppermint isn’t your thing, just leave it out and you have yourself a delicious chocolate hamantaschen that will please all your friends and family.

Jewhungry kosher chocolate hamantashen cookie

Just your every day balabusta (Google it).

Jewhungry kosher chocolate hamantashen cookie

Double Chocolate Mint Hamantaschen

Ingredients

  • Makes 2 dozen (give or take a couple)
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup oil
  • 1 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 6 cups flour
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon strong coffee
  • 1/4 - 1/2 cup large chocolate chips (semi sweet or milk will work. I used milk chocolate)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 tsp peppermint oil
  • 3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: 350 degrees
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla.
  3. Next, add baking powder and flour to the bowl and mix well to combine. Finally, add the cocoa and strong coffee and give it one more good stir (dough should be thick, almost like bread dough).
  4. Knead the dough until smooth.
  5. Flour a rolling pin and roll out to roughly 1/8 inch thin on a floured board.
  6. Using a round cookie cutter or a drinking glass with a wide opening, cut out circles (use the scraps to make cookies as well, just keep forming into a large ball and rolling out thin and repeat process until dough is done).
  7. Drop a handful of chocolate chips (should be roughly 10 chips or more) into the center of each circle.
  8. Have a glass or small bowl of a little bit of cold water near by so that you can dip your fingers in to help fold the dough into three sides over the filling forming a triangle (water acts as a glue to the dough and will help edges stick).
  9. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes on a lined cookie sheet.
  10. Once fully cooked, let cool for at least 5 - 10 minutes. While cooling, place the powdered sugar, peppermint oil and milk into a small bowl and stir until milky consistency.
https://jewhungrytheblog.com/double-chocolate-mint-hamantaschen/

Jewhungry kosher chocolate hamantashen cookie

Our family

Our family

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fries 3

There I was, Wednesday morning, all red-nosed from the cold I’ve had for roughly 2 weeks,  standing in line at my local Starbucks when, at roughly 7:30 in the morning, I was approached by a sweet young woman.  She apologized for bothering me but she wanted to say ‘hello’ because she follows the blog and is a ‘fan’.  Then she introduced me to her mom and we kibbitzed a bit until it was my turn to order.  When I left that Starbucks, with my bucket of coffee in hand, I had regretted not letting her know how much it meant to me that she came by to say ‘hi’.  That, as corny as it sounds, I think maybe Gd brought us together at that moment, at 7:30 on a Wednesday morning because I needed her.

It sounds a bit selfish, and maybe it is, but I needed to run into Michal.  Recently, I’ve been lacking the motivation to cook and to blog.  I’ve lost some of my love for the process. My ‘mojo’, as it were. Between work, the kiddo, finalizing details of the forthcoming Passover cookbook I’ve been working on with my girls, Sarah, Liz and Amy, I haven’t had the strength or even desire to cook.  It was bringing me down a little bit. I just invested all this money into this new site. How can I now be feeling like I want to back off of this food blogging thing for a while?  I’ve become a little too obsessed with checking my stats and I’ve been having the feeling that I’m pretty sure the only folks who actually read this blog are those I’m either related to or have known my whole life.  I’ve been frustrated because the BlogHer Food Conference is going to be in Miami this year and I can’t attend because it’s over Shabbat and the powers that be won’t let me buy a ticket for one day so I can attend on Friday.  I’ve been wondering if folks in the food blogging world get scared when they see a blog called, “Jewhungry”? Like maybe I’m ‘too’ Jewish and it’s alienating.  I’ve been questioning my purpose for doing this and wondering if I really want to keep at it.

Pre-cooked

Pre-cooked

But then I met this ‘fan’ and she brought me hope and a little bit of validation; two things I didn’t know I needed so badly until they were there. I am so grateful she wasn’t shy and she just came on over and introduced herself.  I hope she reads this post so she knows how grateful I am.  Next time, coffee’s on me.

Dip - The good stuff's in there.

Dip – The good stuff’s in there.

 

Now, for this recipe.  As a Southerner, I often look for ways to incorporate, mayonnaise and/or buttermilk into, um, EVERYTHING I EAT.  And, in an effort to be a little bit more ‘homemade’, I’ve been making my own dressings lately.  This za’atar ranch is a cute little blend of who I am–beautiful unique za’atar (hyssop) from the Middle East; a flavor I fell in love with while living in Israel combined with creamy, tangy buttermilk (a shout out to my Southern roots).  I recommend using this as a dressing on salads or a dip for sweet potato fries or veggies.  Feel free to play with the thickness until you get the consistency you like.  My measurements recommended below are for a creamier dip. Enjoy!

Don't be shy  now  . . .

Don’t be shy now . . .

 

When I dip, you dip, we dip.

When I dip, you dip, we dip.

 

Messy is good.

Messy is good.

 

Sweet Potato Fries with Za'atar Ranch Dip

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Serving Size: 4 ( or 2 really hungry people)

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch long slices, then 1/4-wide inch strips
  • 1TBSP kosher salt
  • 1/2 TBSP pepper
  • 1/4 TBSP paprika
  • 2/3 cups buttermilk
  • 2/3 cup sour cream
  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 TBSP chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 TSP sea salt
  • 1/2 TSP ground pepper
  • 1 1/2 TBSP of za'atar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Let heat while cutting up your sweet potatoes
  2. Toss sliced sweet potatoes in a large bowl with olive oil.
  3. Add the olive oil, kosher salt, pepper and paprika to the bowl and mix well.
  4. Place fries on a large baking sheet making sure that fries are not overlapping.
  5. Baker for a total of 25 - 30 minutes.
  6. For dip/dressing --- Combine all dip ingredients into a food processor and process for 30 seconds.
  7. Can be refrigerated for up to 10 days.

Notes

Is SUPREMELY delicious as a salad dressing.

https://jewhungrytheblog.com/sweet-potato-fries-wzaatar-ranch-dip/

Top with chives. Enjoy.

Top with chives. Enjoy.

 

 

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