Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world. —Susan Lieberman I love the opening song Tradition for the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof. In the song, the main character, explains the roles of each social class (fathers, mothers, sons,… Read More
Spiced Tofu with Fava Purée and Cracked Freekeh Pilaf
Arranged here are crisp pieces of tofu on a velvety hummus made of dried fava beans, not chickpeas. It is served alongside cracked freekeh, a nutty, roasted green wheat. Spiced Tofu with Fava Purée ½ cup olive oil 5 garlic cloves, smashed 1 ½ tablespoons coriander seeds 1 tablespoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon grated lemon… Read More
Fresh-Herb Kuku
A fresh-herb kuku such as this one is a traditional New Year’s dish in Iran. The green herbs symbolize rebirth, and the eggs symbolize fertility and happiness for the year to come. Similar to an Italian frittata or a French quiche, a kuku is a thick and fluffy baked omelet that is typically stuffed with… Read More
Leek Salad with Tofu and Wheat Berries
Wheat is one of the oldest domesticated grains, along with barley, millet and rice. It is now the most widely cultivate cereal around the globe, exceeding even rice. ~ Maria Speck Looking for ideas on how I could use wheat berries, I came across a recipe for leeks with rye berries and adapted it to… Read More
Chocolate-Hazelnut Cake
Chocolate lovers, rejoice! This cake is loaded with chocolate! This chocolate cake has often been the climax of many special evening meals I’ve shared with family and friends. It’s lusciously coated with two layers of a decadent ganache and topped with a mountain of semisweet chocolate curls! To take you to the dreamy land of chocolate-hazelnut bliss, the cake… Read More
Becoming the Perfect Guest
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou In my last post, L’Art de la Visite: Being the Perfect Host, I shared a few etiquette tips and ground rules for the art of the visit–ensuring… Read More
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