Finding Myself Friday: Food for Thought

This past week was very busy and full. It started off with the very first Kosher Cupcake Bake-off, an event that I co-produced with SweetUP partner Abbey Wolin (Not2shabbey.com), Breezy Beckerman (breezyny.com), and Beth Rosen (Chicagonista.com and 4KeysMedia.com). Thank you all for making things happen. Event planning can be very stressful and tiring, especially for parents also working full-time and taking care of young children. Family is first, and being a mother and wife are my top priorities. I am so thankful that my husband and children gave me the extra five minutes, which often became fifty, while working on this event.

Once everything came together at Breezy’s beautiful store in Cedarhurst, NY, and over 100 people from just a few streets away to as far as New Jersey filled the room, I remembered why I work so hard on these events. The end result is always good. This event, an idea that came from the talented Beth Rosen, came to fruition in just five weeks. These things only happen when every member of the team is contributing what little extra time they have to make things happen. All of our time was donated to create this event and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Achiezer Hurricane Sandy Fund.

It was so nice to see the tremendous support from the community, which was a mixture of foodies, friends, and fans of everything cupcakes. Our special MC for the afternoon was Jamie Geller. In addition to being a mom of five children, she is the founder of the Kosher Media Network, Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller Magazine & JoyofKosher.com. Even though Jamie now lives in Israel with her family, she takes frequent trips to the USA for speaking engagements and press events. We were thrilled to have Jamie join our other impressive panel of judges including, Bobbie Lloyd, President and Operating Partner, Magnolia Bakery; Alessandra Rovati, an Italian food writer and lecturer and founder of dinnerinvenice.com; and Tamar Genger MA, RD Director of Digital Media for Kosher Media Network and Executive Editor for JoyofKosher.com. There was no shortage of sweet treats at the event, but I also want to thank Esti from Fruit Platters and More for supplying a beautiful platter of fresh fruit. She also donated the pomegranate seeds that our contestant used during the competition. Also, just as important, was the hip tunes sound system donated by the fab DJ Ben Black.

Check out some of the photos of the event from Lia Jay Photography and Heidi Schwartz.

The contestants were incredibly talented at their trade! They included Melissa Kaye of lilmisscakes.com, Faige Goldner of cupofcakenj.com, Michelle Goodman Frohlich of cakeabite.com, and Shira Perlman of DelightfullySweet.com. They all produced some of the most amazing looking, and tasting cucpakes, I have ever had. All of these cupcakes, from cake to frosting, were dairy free. Part of the fun in this event was the element of surprise. The contestants were sent a box of ingredients to use in their cupcakes earlier in the week. These ingredients included Cherry Heering Liqueur and Coffee Liqueur, King Arthur Flour, Fig Jam, and Balsamic Vinegar. They could either use all of them in one cupcake, or use them in three different cupcakes. For the icing on the cake, literally, the contestants had to pick three of the following ingredients: pomegranate seeds, lavender, cumin, cinnamon maple butter, apricot kernel oil and wild sweet orange Tazo tea. The theme that they had to create in their cupcakes was Purim. They had a total of 45 minutes to create their frosting from scratch and decorate their cupcakes.

Once the clock started, attendees watched as the contestants made their way to great creations. Breezy provided all of the tools and fondant a cupcake designer could desire. When their time was up, the contestants presented their cupcakes, all so inventive and festive. Once the judges had a chance to view and taste the three cupcakes from each contestant, they took a few minutes to make their decision. During this time, the winners of the raffle prizes were announced. The raffle prize sponsors included Joy of Kosher, Earth Balance, KitchenAidUSA, King Arthur Flour, Breezysny.com, Not2Shabbey.com, and Fairway Market.

The winner of the cupcake competition went to Cup of Cake NJ. Faige Goldner, with her baby in tow, created Fig Cupcakes with Pomegranate Cream Cheese Frosting. Faige’s cupcakes and winning recipe will be featured on joyofkosher.com and in the Shavuot issue of Joy of Kosher Magazine with Jamie Geller.
Feeling full from such a tremendous event, but not yet done for the week, I attended the 7th Annual Kosher Food & Wine Experience on Monday evening. This event was sold-out and 1700 people attended. I just loved running into some of the food personalities I met since I started my blog over four years ago. From Chef Jeff Nathan of Abigael’s to Nachum Segal of the Nachum Segal Show, it was an evening full of the leading personalities in the kosher food world. The food at this event was so beyond what most people think a kosher meal should be; move over matzo balls! Kosher food has influences from all of the countries that Jews have lived. We’ve been everywhere! For a complete listing of the food and wine, go to http://www.kfwe2013.com. Who knew?

As I now start my next diet, or is it I am picking up from the last one I was keeping? I am thankful for having a full week. Now, as Shabbos approaches along with a major winter storm named after a fish in a Disney film, #nemo, I am happy to also have a full tank of gas, a refrigerator of food, and a heart full of appreciation of what is on my plate.

Just In Time For Hanukkah: A New Spin On Recipes From Cherry Heering Liqueur

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is upon us and the first night is this Saturday night, December 8^th.  When I think of Hanukkah, I think about the opportunity to get together with friends and family. In today’s world of endless online resources, Hanukkah party planning, recipes, crafts, and gifts are trending on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

I have very fond memories of the latkes my mother made.  I can still smell the onion and freshly peeled potato coming from her suburban kitchen. The oil would “pop” as each spoonful of the potato latke mixture was dropped into the pan. I remember counting the minutes until I could eat one (I always had several) topped with sour cream and apple sauce. Yes, the miracle of the oil was definitely symbolized in those latkes.

Now that I have my own home and planning my own Hanukkah party, I really wanted to focus on recipes to help wash down the latkes. What better desserts and beverages to wash down the latkes a dessert made with Cherry Heering Liqueur.

Following the potato latkes, I plan on serving this recipe for “Boozy” Donuts with Creme Brulee topping! I still remember when I was pregnant with my daughter and craving Hanukkah donuts so badly that I made my husband go wait in line at a bakery so he could get first batch out of the oven. These donuts, also known as sufganiot, are filled with custard, chocolate, and/or caramel. While my favorite was always the custard filling, I have a new found appreciation for “Boozy” donuts. This is the batch that the kids shouldn’t take from, just an FYI!

Boozy Donuts with Crème Brulee Topping

6 sugar-covered donuts 1/2 cup of sugar  3 oz. either coffee or cherry Heering Liqueur 

Directions

Heat the donuts in the oven at 250 degrees for 5 minutes.

On a plate add the sugar, brush the top of the warm donuts with water and drip in the sugar.

Insert and fill the liqueur in multiple spots of the bottom of the donuts with a small turkey baster/or cake decorating tool about 1/2 oz. per donut

With a crème brulee torch, burn the sugar top of the donuts to a hard sugar topping. If you don’t have a creme brulee torch, you can simply put in the oven on broil for a few minutes till the sugar caramelizes.  

Serve right away while warm!

Nothing goes better with these delicious “boozy” donuts than a Coffee Latte. While you are watching the candles burn low, why not sip on a Coffee Heering Liqueur Latte.

Coffee Latte

1 ½ oz. Coffee Heering Liqueur Steamed Milk (may use skim)

Directions

Pour Coffee Heering into a mug add Steamed Milk Garnish with chocolate shavings

If you prefer the Cherry Heering Liqueur, try this lovely recipe for Cheery Hot Chocolate:

Cherry Hot Chocolate

1 ½ oz. Cherry Heering Hot Chocolate Topping suggestions: Marshmallows’ & hot chili flakes

This next drink reminds me of my dad. He always ordered an Egg Cream (while I made a face of disgust) when we were at his favorite deli. I now think that I could appreciate this drink, especially this version:

Heering Coffee Egg Cream

2 tablespoons chocolate syrup 1 shot/2oz Heering Coffee Liqueur 3/4 cup cold milk 3/4 cup cold seltzer water

Directions

In a 12-ounce glass, stir together chocolate syrup, Heering coffee liqueur, and milk. Top with seltzer and stir. Serve immediately with straw.

What is your favorite way to serve Cherry Heering Liqueur or Heering Coffee Liqueur? Any way you choose, you should drink responsibly!

Disclaimer: This was a sponsored post.

Why My Husband Should Enter The 7th Annual Man-O-Manischewitz Cook-Off

He has nothing to lose but everything to gain! Have you seen the Grand Prizes? What’s a wife not to like; $25,000 Grand Price Package Including Maytag Appliances! Not to mention cash, and expense paid trip and a beautiful crystal trophy! I know he can do this!

The official opening of this contest was last Monday and entries will be accepted up until February 4, 2012. We won’t even need to make travel arrangements to get to the cook-off; this year, the contest will be held at the Manischewitz® Manufacturing Plant and Headquarters in Newark, NJ!

I love that this Cook-Off encourages at-home chefs (like my dear husband) to experiment with kosher products while preparing delicious recipes. Have I mentioned how happy I am that I married a man that can cook!

So, dear husband, if you are reading my blog, all you have to do is go to www.manischewitz.com, and click on the Cook-Off Banner to submit your recipe. I know you are quick in the kitchen, especially those Rosh Hashanah meals you make in minutes. Good news,  the recipe must adhere to Kosher guidelines, be prepared in under an hour, and have no more than 9 ingredients. Out of those 9 ingredients, one of them must include the Manischewitz® All-Natural broth flavors-new Turkey, Chicken, Reduced Sodium Chicken, Beef and Vegetable, plus one additional Manischewitz® product. You recipe will be judged and if you make it, four finalists will be chosen by the judging panel and five semi-finalists will be posted on http://www.manischewitz.com/ from February 21st^th through February 28^th  allowing anybody to vote online to select the five finalists.

Please save the date of March 21^st 2013, you may be competing live along with four other finalists at the Manischewitz® Manufacturing Plant and Headquarters in Newark, NJ. You will be preparing your recipe in front of a live panel of judges consisting of food media and other culinary experts. Remember the grand prize package includes Maytag® appliances, cash, expense paid trip and a beautiful crystal trophy.

If you win, you will be in great company. Over the years, more than 10,000 people nationwide, of all ages and all walks of life, have entered the competition. Past winners include: Eric Silberman, from Lincolnwood, IL with hisMod Matzo Ball Soup;Stuart Davis, from Cherry Hill, NJ with his Chicken and Egg Donburi; Sarah Freedman-Izquierdo of Miami Beach, Florida with her Mandarin Dumpling Soup; Amy Siegel from Clifton, NJ with her Marvelous Mediterranean Falafel Sliders; Joy Devor of Rockaway, NY with her Fantastic Flounder Rolls and Candace McMenamin from Lexington, SC with her Sweet Potato Encrusted Chicken.

You know how much I love Jewish History and Jewish Geography? Additionally, the cook-off raises awareness regarding Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), a national month of recognition of the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. The Manischewitz Company is the founding sponsor of JAHM, and works with the JAHM steering committee to drive awareness of events and programs. Updates on JAHM are available on www.jahm.us and will continue through the end of JAHM on May 31, 2013.

Honey, it is time to get inspired! I know you can create an original recipe using any of the new Manischewitz broths, check them out at http://www.manischewitz.com/.

Do you know somebody that would love to enter this contest? Here is some more information on how they can enter!

How it works

U.S. residents 18 or older are invited to submit an original, easy-to-prepare entrée using any flavor of new Manischewitz Broth product. Recipes should have no more than a total of eight ingredients and be prepared and cooked in one hour or less. For official contest details log onto www.manischewitz.com, complete the official entry form and submit your recipe online or by mail. Entries must be received by February 4, 2013. Four finalists will be selected by a panel of judges and one finalist will be selected during the online people’s choice vote from February 14-28, 2013. Five contestants will compete live in New York City in front of a panel of live judges on March 21, 2013.

I would just love, LOVE, a new kitchen!!! This would stop all of my kvetching you know!!

First Night of Chanukah: Celebrate The Miracle With Jewish Food From Around the Web

I can’t believe tonight is the first night of Chanukah, or is it Hannukah, or Hanukah?? However you spell it, this is one of my favorite Jewish holidays. Not only because it is so rich in meaning (and the food is rich too, oy) and symbolism. Who else would eat vats of oil for 8 days straight!! Lite, baked,or fried, this holiday can help us all see the miracles around us every day. Especially if we don’t gain inches!! So, let’s get this party started with some good Jeiwsh food!

If your Jewish holiday cooking book is falling a part, or has to much caked-on (what is that?) flour to see an entire recipe, I can help. I have included some links that you will find helpful in preparing a festive and delicious feast (sans cookbook) for your friends and family. I already feel guilty because I may have left somebody off this list. Please let me know if you have stumbled upon a great Chanukah recipe or blog that I could share with my readers.

Kosherfest 2011 Highlights – Part 2

From the Kosher Scene!

Kosherfest 2011 Highlights – Part 2.

A Kosher Conversation Live from Nargila!

If you are interested in kosher cuisine, this is the show you should listen to!  Chaim from The Kosher Scene Radio Show hosted a lovely group of women kosher food bloggers Live from Nargila! yesterday evening.

(1599 York Avenue – between E. 84 and E. 85th Street – New York 10021; Tel: 212.535.3700). At the dinner table: Alessandra Rovati from Dinner in Venice, Amy Chana from The Gluten Free Maven, Esti Berkowitz from Primetime Parenting, Kim Amzallag from Mishpacha Magazine, Marlene Mamiye from The Jewish Hostess and Suzanah Raff from The Kosher Shopaholic. Also with us, will be my dear friend Irving Schild, photographer extraordinaire, and possibly my coblogger SYR. We will talk with each of the mom-bloggers about the particular focus of their individual blogs, about the liberating effect of writing, the new contacts and interaction that have resulted, social media in general and – of course – food. We are all foodies, after all!

If you missed our last show on the Wednesday prior to Shavuos, you can hear the archived recording right here. Our guests included Moshe Vogel from Anderson International Foods in the first half hour and Kim Amzallag from Mishpacha/Kosher Inspired Magazine. In honor of Yom Yerushalayim we started the hour with a piece reading of a very short piece I wrote a few years back (which was reprinted on The Jerusalem Post and on Ynetnews.com). It was about the first Yom Yerushalayim – Jerusalem Day, commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem. I was there when the Old City – Ir Hatika became ours again…

Turkey Talk With @Koshereye and Chef Laura Frankel

This has been a very busy week for me. I am not complaining, just happy that I was able to do what I love to do most. Monday night I co-hosted a social media event with metroimma.com and today I attended a sneak peak of new episodes of Shalom Sesame .Last night I had the pleasure of hosting “Turkey Talk” on Blog Talk Radio with Lois and Roberta of Koshereye.com. I am kvelling and so excited about  their recent listing in the New York Times. In just one year, Koshereye.com has become the “go to” source for kosher food conversations.

Last night, we were joined by Chef Laura Frankel for the first fifteen minutes of the show. She had some very valuable and delicious Thanksgiving meal suggestions. She shared so much with us about cooking a Turkey, accompanying sides, and delectable desserts. After Laura inspired our palets, Lois and Roberta shared their Thanksgiving traditions,amazing desserts, and even strategies to help minimize mess in your kitchen. I learned something that I did not know about and I am sure that you will find this valuable as well. Reynolds has some fantastic Thanksgiving preparation resources available on their website. I am definitely going to use their Thanksgiving Holiday Solution Center as a guide this year. That is why I love koshereye.com, I am always learning something new form them. Another note about the show, you may want to have something to eat while you listen because the Turkey Talk will make you very hungry!!!

Thanks again to Chef Laura Frankel and the incredible team of Lois and Roberta from Koshereye.com. You can hear this show in its entirety on Blog Talk Radio.

Thanksgiving is just a week away from Hanukah. You never know, we just might be making turkey latkas with our leftovers this year!

Gourmet, Upscale and Healthy Kosher Products At Kosherfest 2010

The other day Roberta of koshereye.com and I shared our top ten picks from Kosherfest on Blog Talk Radio. We share the same passionate love of chocolate and some of our top ten picks from Kosherfest 2010.

I had only one day to spend at Kosherfest this year (never enough time for me). I love meeting the people behind well-known brands like Manischewitz, Kedem, and Dr. Praegers. Since I had to cut my visit down to one day, I sent a kosher foodie mom and friend of mine to investigate the brands that I didn’t have the chance to spend more time with. I sent her on a mission to find food that non-kosher and kosher consumers would find interesting. Why such a detailed request? It comes from my relationship with kosher food.

A schmooze with @koshereye About The Top Ten Picks From Kosherfest 2010

Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending my second Kosherfest and my tastebuds are still satisifed from the diverse kosher products available today. I couldn’t wait to arrange a Blog Talk Radio interview with my friend Roberta Scher of KosherEye.com to get the inside scoop on their top ten picks from the show this year.

If you are not familiar with Kosherfest, according to the show’s producer, more than 6700 attended Kosherfest with a 17% increase in key buyers. Why are these numbers so high?

Industry statistics show that the current kosher customer is 40 and under, and looking for gourmet, upscale and healthy kosher products. According to several sources*, the number of kosher consumers in the U.S. tops 12,100,000, and 21% of Americans who regularly or occasionally purchase kosher products do so because the items are kosher-certified. There are approximately 10,650 kosher producing companies and plants, there are 125,000 kosher certified products, 40% of kosher sales occur on the eve of Passover, 19,000 is the average number of kosher products in US supermarkets, and the dollar value of kosher products produced in the USA is $305,000,000,000.

While many of the exhibitors still featured traditional kosher foods such as pickles, pastrami and challah, it was the variety and newness of products that attracted industry professionals from all over the globe, and caught the attention of buyers from SuperValue, Wegman’s, Safeway, Wakefern/Shoprite, Winn-Dixie, HEB, Stew Leonards, COSTCO, Wal-mart, A&P, Kehe Foods, Kroger, Acme and Key Foods, among many other top food purveyors.

After revealing our top ten picks from Kosherfest this year, Benjamin Bauer of Moses Vodka will be joining the show.

So, join our show today and get the inside scoop on more than just kosher food your bubbie used to make. Roberta and I will take you into the 21^st Century of kosher food. Follow us on twitter and use the hashtag #kosherschmooze and you could win a copy of Susie Fishbein’s Kosher By Design Teen’s and 20-Somethings.

Primetimeparenting’s Search For Healthy Kosher Foods At Kosherfest

I remember when I would hear the word “kosher” and images of chicken in shmaltz (fat) would haunt my little mind. My mom actually recalls the time I ran out of a kosher deli in LA because I was so spooked by being in an entirely kosher eating establishment. I am proud to say that those images are long gone and I have been keeping strictly kosher for the past 11 years. How did I go from running away from kosher food to embracing it with every limb possible? It is a good story, but you can read that more on my blog. For now, I just want to express how excited I am about attending Kosherfest 2010 today. Is it that exciting to be in a room of kosher foods and beverages? For this mama, ABSOLUTELY!

First, you should know that as a full-time, stay-at-home “kosher” mommy, going out anywhere without my children in tow is no easy task. I want to give a huge shout out to all of the great friends that have offered to help watch my son, and bring my daughters home from school so I can attend. Thanks! I can’t wait to share my favorite kosher items that will soon be available to kosher consumers everywhere. If you can’t get them at your local supermarket, go online and you’ll see just how easy it is to get these items. So, what is new this year in kosher food?

Some of the newest items have already been identified in the Kosherfest 2010 New Product Competition and will be announced at Kosherfest on Tuesday, October 26. I love how Menachem Lubinsky of Lubicom.com and founder of Kosherfest described the winners of this year’s competition in the most recent issue of KosherToday, “Today, there is a competitive spirit amongst manufacturers to produce some of the products that are quality items and happen to be kosher. The real winner is the kosher consumer looking to experience the tastes and flavors that he could only dream about just a decade ago”. I will be viewing those winners at Kosherfest and will be sharing them here on primetimeparenting.com. In addition to kosher products that everyone thought couldn’t, Passover food items are everywhere at Kosherfest.

I know, we haven’t even hit Chanukah and the latka recipes are still filed away, but Passover is huge. According to KosherToday, “40% of kosher food sales takes place around Passover. It is the most widely observed holiday on the Jewish calendar”. In recent years, Passover has become more of a Gluten-Free festival and the results have been quite delicious. Items like Passover friendly bread crumbs, croutons, pizza, and bagels have made eight days of no wheat a treat! I can’t wait to see what’s new in Passover holiday food from Manischewitz this year.

What kosher food items would you like to see on your supermarket shelves this coming Passover? Personally, I would love a parve, chai latte that does not taste like chemicals. Anybody else?