Not Your Bubbie’s (Grandmother) Vegetarian Chopped Liver

Not Your Bubbie’s Vegetarian Chopped Liver

I’m guessing that your Jewish grandmother, “Bubbie” never made vegetarian chopped liver, only the kind made with real chicken or beaf liver. Many of us today would never even look at the real thing, let alone taste it! Here is my take on a traditonal Eastern European Jewish appetizer (noshable), served on every major Jewish holiday. It is vegetarian, delicious, and very healthy. It uses nuts as the protein so just warn any of your guests who are alergic to nuts to keep their distance. It is also pareve (neutral) so you can serve it with a meat or dairy meal if you are keeping Kosher. You can pull this together in a flash, using a food processor. Feel free to adjust the seasonings as you like: spice it up or spice it down. I add lemon juice to brighten up the flavors. Make sure to chill it for several hours in the fridge. It pairs well with crackers  and veggie sticks or with matzah (on Passover). 

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Autumn Vegetarian Tzimmes (Stew)

Just in time for Thanksgiving, this “Tzimmes”, traditional eastern European Jewish stew, checks off all the boxes: traditional, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and incredibly easy! You can also make this all year round. I will be serving this at my Thanksgiving feast this year. You can keep it warming in the oven with all the other delicious festive foods. A bonus: it can be made a day in advance and reheated. It is not too sweet and will look perfect on your harvest table. Enjoy! 

Queen Esther Would Be Proud-Lentil Patties

Queen Esther Would Be Proud-Lentil Patties

With Purim starting tonight, I wanted to pay tribute to our beloved Queen Esther, the heroine of the Purim story and a great role model. It is said that she did not eat meat, only vegetables and legumes. These lentil patties are delicious and healthy and you can put them together quickly. They will be the stars of your Purim feast. Serve them with the roasted red pepper mayonnaise (listed below) and everyone will want your recipe. Don’t spend too much time in the kitchen, get dressed up in a costume and head to your synagogue to hear the reading of the Megillah! Happy Purim.

Lightning Fast Veggie Potato Latkes

Lightning Fast Veggie Potato Latkes

Here is a great recipe that is so easy, perfect for the weekday nights of Chanukkah when you are too tired to grate the potatoes. They are light, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and really delicious. No leftovers on this one, too yummy!

Aunt Hannah’s Pumpkin Mandel Bread (Gluten Free & Egg Free Options Too)

Aunt Hannah’s Pumpkin Mandel Bread

Just in time for Thanksgiving, this recipe combines a traditional Jewish favorite with Thanksgiving flavors. Think of Mandel Bread as “Jewish Biscotti”, crunchy on the outside, but in this version, softer on the inside. The original recipe is from my friend, Marty’s Aunt Hannah, who lived to be 100 years old. This is such an easy recipe to make, it is very healthy and can be made in Gluten Free & Egg Free Versions. Bring this for Thanksgiving, Chanukkah or any holiday that you celebrate and you will have everyone asking for the recipe!! May Aunt Hannah’s memory be a blessing!

Favorites for Purim

Relax & Nosh Mishloach Manot

With Purim almost upon us, here are some of my favorite vegetarian recipes from this website to serve for Purim. They are quick and easy to prepare and great to serve with the traditional ending to the Purim feast – Hamantashen.

• Chickpea & Veggie Stew
• Light Falafel Bites
• Orange Avocado Salad
• Easy Lemon Herb Carrot Salad
• Orange-Date Spread: Filling for Hamantashen
• Hamantashen

Remember to give your friends delicious Mishloach Manot. Have a great time dressing up and enjoy all the Purim festivities!!

Tu B’Shevat Crostini Noshable with Orange Date Spread

Tu B’Shevat Crostini Noshable with Orange Date Spread

Here is a great “noshable” to serve at your Tu B’Shevat gathering or meal (if you keep Kosher, this should only be served with a dairy meal). It can also be served all year long. I’ve re-purposed the “Orange Date Spread – Filling for Hamantashen” from one of my previous recipes and am now using it to top a crostini spread with goat cheese or on topping a slice of ricotta salata cheese. Enjoy this noshable with “Fruits of Israel Fizz” and you’ll celebrate in style!