Zucchini Fritters

A perfect summer treat!

These days, most people consider barley—if they consider it at all—as something wintery, perhaps sharing space with mushrooms in a warming bowl of soup. Here, this ancient whole grain gets the tabbouleh treatment, and becomes a significant salad loaded with herbs (and love—see Proverbs). Nice as part of a biblical mezze (Middle Eastern tapas, if you will), served alongside a blob of hummus and flatbread or with roasted eggplant, it’s just right for spring. Tahini is an extremely luscious sesame paste, available in Middle Eastern groceries, natural food stores, and most supermarkets. Like natural (preservative-free) peanut butter, tahini tends to separate, with the oil floating to the top of the sesame goodness below. Stir well before using.

This is easy, satisfying comfort food. Kasha is buckwheat or groats, and varnishkes is Yiddish and means (or some will argue it only implies) bow-tie pasta. It’s traditionally made with schmaltz, but this version is vegan and totally delicious.

Sweet noodle kugel, the Jewish classic, is made dairy free, but it’s just as luscious as the original. Noodle kugel, a staple Eastern European comfort food, is a cross between a side dish and a dessert — a rich, substantial one at that.

Noodle kugel is often served at holidays and is especially appropriate for the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), when sweet foods are favored.

What’s a kugel? Basically defined, a kugel is simply a casserole. In the Jewish tradition, one that’s built around a specific food, like this one featuring noodles. Another famous one is potato kugel, and we’ve got a recipe for that one, too.

The traditional recipe for noodle kugel features egg noodles bathed in lots of dairy (in the form of cottage cheese, cream cheese, farmer’s cheese, or a combination). Often, eggs and lots of butter are part of the mix, adding up to a crescendo of cholesterol.

This vegan version proves that it doesn’t have to be that way. It tastes just as decadent, with less fat and no cholesterol. Your bubbe might think it’s weird to make lokschen kugel with silken tofu, but once she tastes it, she’ll kvell. Photos by Hannah Kaminsky, Bittersweet Blog.

Bourekas are a kind of baked pastry that’s popular in Sephardic Jewish cuisine. They are made in a wide variety of shapes, with a vast selection of fillings inside the flaky puff pastry. One bite of this spinach and almond cheese-filled version fresh from the oven and you’ll surely be a fan.

Creamy Vegan Cheesecake? YES! Count me in! My #1 all-time favorite cake has been reevaluated and improved – for all the beautiful souls craving some real cheesecake goodness. Let’s be honest, raw cheesecakes are fine and delicious on their own but they’re miles away from the experience you get when taking a bite of that creamy baked cheesecake! While my Baked Cheesecake recipe is coming pretty close to that experience, it just can’t compare to this one. This Creamy Vegan Cheesecake is everything you wish for and more (not exaggerated here)!

Trust my word – as a compassionate cheesecake lover! If you’re looking for the real deal, but vegan and healthier, without refined sugars, look no more and immediately try this creamy vegan cheesecake! You can thank me later…

A Shavuot favorite, plant-based!

Tembleque is a popular Puerto Rican dessert that is perfect to enjoy during Passover or Shavuot.