I feel like I have barely left my apartment building for the past several weeks. Every week has been another snow storm, another reason to hunker down, bake something and avoid the wet, dreary weather. All you people living in warm climates – I know you have no idea what I am talking about. But my friends in Boston can certainly sympathize as the Northeast braces for more potential snow in the coming week.
While I might be going a bit stir crazy, the time indoors has allowed me to explore some new recipes and ingredients.
I love making banana bread, pumpkin bread and zucchini bread, but sometimes you just want to shake things up a bit, you know? I came across this recipe for banana pineapple bread from The View from Grand Island, and I knew at once I needed to make it. The bread came out perfect and I loved the slight crunch from the poppy seeds. The pineapple added a nice tropical touch, a welcome flavor in this winter weather.
I also made this chicken and chorizo gumbo from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine.It was SO good, and much easier than I thought; I was a bit nervous to try my Northern hand at making such a Souther staple. I even replaced the okra with broccoli stems because that’s what I had in my fridge. If you are wondering: Kosher chorizo? The answer is yes! Have you heard of Jack’s Gourmet Kosher Sausage? They have a number of delicious flavors which you can find at your local kosher market or even order online. I have also made this potato and kale soup with chorizo using the sausage. It is spicy, but delicious.
It’s officially citrus season! I look forward to blood oranges all year, and so last week during the snow storm I invited some neighbors over and made a batch of blood orange martinis, one of my favorite ways to enjoy the winter fruit.
And in case you missed it, I also made my husband’s absolute favorite: spiced chocolate pudding pie with bourbon whipped cream.
I still have a few recipes up my sleeves including some upcoming hamantaschen recipes for Purim. I also came across this adorable idea for a heart-shaped caprese salad that I think could be made with triangle or other kid-friendly shapes, or even Jewish-shaped cookie cutters for holidays. And next week I will be checking out the Ninth Annual Kosher Food and Wine Expo where I am hoping to take in some great new kosher wines to share with you all too.
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kosher
Pronounced: KOH-sher, Origin: Hebrew, adhering to kashrut, the traditional Jewish dietary laws.
