For Those Of You Who Overslept - The Royal Wedding

... or a reasonably humorous facsimile thereof....

Strawberry Fluff - The Ritual Continues

I posted a couple of years back about my family's Strawberry Fluff Making Ritual.

Over the years, it became harder and harder to get everyone together for the "event".

I'm pleased to tell you that this year, I had the great joy of continuing the tradition with the NEXT generation.

Of course my hand mixer is from the "older generation" and one of its beaters gave out mid-whip. FSIL (favorite/only son-in-law) pitched in and held the decrepit appliance until all the fluffy goodness was achieved.

Wising you all a very sweet Yom Tov.

Chag Kasher V'sameach!

Busy Season - A Repost

The following was posted last year shortly before Pesach and it bears reposting (with added links) in my current state of "cooking hibernation".

I'm very sorry but now that I've "turned over" my kitchen, posts are spotty.

I've been up to my elbows in potatoes, though I do plan to give you a delicious recipe for eggplant fritters shortly.

In the interim, please feel free to view some of my previous Pesach related posts.

There's my post about traditions.

There's my post about an unusual plate.

We've got recipes for Chocolate Matzah, Strawberry Fluff and Mushroom Onion Farfel Kugel.

There's even a post about how our fish deals with Pesach.

Gee, how did I manage to be so prolific last year?

Oh and don't forget the first and second photos in my "Chossid on Chol Hamoed" series!

Enjoy the look back and stay tuned :)

Oh, and here's yet another "oldie but goodie" - My Lesser Known Universal Pesach Moments.

Food Photo Friday - Pesach Fingers from Joy of Kosher

These beauties come from the new Joy of Kosher magazine with Jamie Geller.
They are entitled Pesach Fingers.
I like everything about them, except the name.
I'd rather call them Chocolate Dipped Almond Fingers.
But don't worry about what to call them. Everybody's mouth will be too busy chewing to call them anything.

My New Favorite Rebbetzin

Good for a laugh on these crazy days before Pesach.

Wednesday's Wacky Signs - The World of Business

I didn't think I'd have much time for blogging this week, but sometimes posts just come to me. Literally.

You'd think a reputable jewelry repair company in the heart of New York's diamond district, would change their sign if somebody pointed out an error. I find it hard to believe that in all the years that this company has been in business, NOBODY has mentioned the glaring error in their policy...

Then again, I sure didn't.

In Praise of Mariella...

If you are lucky enough to have cleaning help around your home these last few hectic days before Yom Tov, I am here to remind you to appreciate them and be kind to them.

This is not THEIR Yom Tov and yet they do a lot of the heavy work for it. I am frequently astounded at how much my dear cleaning help has learned over the years. This can be problematic for me, since some other homes she works for haven't yet come to the conclusion that dirt is not chometz and I still get a skeptical look or two when I reassure Mariella that she really DOESN'T need to climb up to the top of my bookcases to do a thorough check up there.

I am very blessed to have Mariella come once a week to help me before Shabbos and Yom Tov. But it's moments like the one that occurred last week that truly make me smile.

Mariella approached me to tell me that our vacuum cleaner bag was full. She also conveyed to me that she was hesitant to change it because it seemed a waste, considering the fact that we have to change it again in two weeks.

We changed it, but I couldn't help smiling......

BITAYAVON - Another Cooking Magazine Giveaway

If you didn't win my last cooking magazine giveaway, fear not.

Life is full of second chances.

What better time of year to have the market spring up with so many new and exciting publications for the kosher cook?

Bitayavon magazine, already in its second issue, is not just a mini cookbook. Aside from the 65 completely original and previously unpublished recipes that are bursting from its pages, Bitayavon also has interesting and informative articles that provide reading material for amateur and well as advanced foodies.

Interesting food facts, contests, interviews with chefs and recipes containing both common as well as some with a few more unique ingredients, make for a well-rounded publication. It even has a Kid's Cooking Column.

Bitayavon offers international subscription and distribution to Australia, Israel, South Africa, England, Canada and throughout the USA.

Bitayavon is offering a free one year subscription to one lucky blog reader.

Simply leave a comment with your favorite Pesach related tip and one winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday at 10pm.

The contest is open to readers worldwide :)

Purim - A Look Back

Now that everyone is immersed in earnest in Pesach preparations - cleaning, shopping, planning and (for those with a Pesach Kitchen, perhaps) cooking, I thought it might be fun to take one last look back at Purim.

Purim fun has been around for a long time, but lately, I've gotten jaded and seen so little innovation. I don't enjoy pranks that involve destruction of property or embarrassment to others.

It's HARD to be funny without hurting something or some one.

Enter blog reader Mar Gavriel.

He had a GREAT idea.

He painted his wall with luminescent paint, which is virtually invisible with the lights on.

He invited a group of people to Purim Seudah and arranged for the lights to shut off just after it had gotten dark outside (window shades were drawn as well).

This is what appeared on his wall, much to his fake consternation and terror, in the darkened room. (Keep in mind, luminescent paint in a dark room is tough to photograph... use your imagination. It was much better in person....)

Well done, Mar Gavriel!

JOY OF KOSHER With Jamie Geller - Grab Them While You Can (Giveaway)

Did you ever climb in to a brand new automobile and get all excited about that "new car smell"?

Well, on a slightly smaller scale, I had that feeling this past Friday when I ripped open my Priority Mail package from the folks over at Joy Of Kosher, and inhaled that "hot off the printing presses" aroma of Jamie Geller's inaugural issue of Joy of Kosher magazine.

I didn't know what to expect, considering the large influx of Kosher food magazines hitting the market lately. But I'll tell you what I noticed right off the bat.

The photos are STUNNING!

There were a LOT of dishes that made me say, "Hey! I'm going to try that!".

There were several dishes/presentations that made me say, "Hey! Now why didn't I think of that?!?".

There were more mouth-watering recipes than advertisements. (A pet peeve of mine)
This magazine is professionally presented without appearing pretentious.

Real food. Real YUMMY LOOKING food. Real SIMPLE recipes for yummy looking food.

With Pesach coming, who can't use a few new ideas?

And with such Pesach recipes as Caramelized French Roast, Beef Cigars, Chocolate Meringue Stars with Raspberry Sauce and Two Tone Zucchini Frittata - there's more than enough to entice.

I wouldn't be surprised if you see some of those recipes turn up on future Food Photo Fridays.

So now here's where YOU get to get in on the fun too.

The first five (USA only, sorry...) readers to send me an email at guesswhoscoming2dinner@gmail.com (leave a comment telling me you did, while you're at it) with your mailing info, will receive a brand spanking new copy of your own. Ready? Set. Email!!!

I will pick another three winners at random from all the remaining emails that come in, to receive a copy as well.

Two MORE copies (yes folks, that's TEN copies in all) will go to the two readers who leave me the most humorous/entertaining Pesach related story that they share in the comments section. Pesach cleaning. Pesach cooking. Seder mishaps (Oh, do I have a good one... Paprika... that's all I'm going to say....). Anything Pesach related.

The deadline is Wednesday at 9 pm, my time.

UPDATE: The fastest five are gone, but there are still 5 copies remaining. Send me an email with your address (3 random winners), and/or send me a funny/entertaining Pesach related story (2 winners).

If you're not a winner, the magazine is currently being distributed for purchase in locations across NY, NJ, Baltimore and Canada, with more expansion planned soon, but you can always order yourself a copy here.

Food Photo Friday - And You Think I Do Nice Presentations...

All I'm going to say is that a certain member of my family has more talent for food presentation in her little pinky than I have in both hands.

She made this for a friend's simcha. Did you EVER??!?

Update Re Bini Breuer Davening CD

OK -

I'm starting to feel like Lucy in the classic I Love Lucy episode where she decides to bottle and sell her family recipe for "Aunt Martha's Salad Dressing" and gets more orders than she ever imagined.

Overnight, I've sold out of the stock I have on hand.
I'm going to keep a tally of all the orders that come in now, and we'll make one big order when they're all in to save on shipping.

I guess there are A LOT of people still interested in preserving these melodies ;)

Bini Breuer releases German Jewish Davening CD

For those of you who appreciate the traditions of German Jewish davening, Bini Breuer is happy to release “Ohr Ponecho 2” – another album in a series of German Jewish tefillah melodies. More than half the songs are performed with the children from Beis Chorev in Jerusalem.

The album contains a selection of poems which circle the yomim tovim of the year: Kaddeishim, Shir Hamaalos, Yidgal, Lecha Dodi, Peyutei Chagim, Hotzoas Sefer Torah, Anim Zemiros and more.

The main purpose of creating this album is to spread the glorious heritage of German Jewry that is in danger of becoming forgotten or lost.

The album can be obtained by calling in Israell: 050-5715001

or by emailing guesswhoscoming2dinner@gmail.com.

I receive no compensation for telling you about this CD, nor do I receive any revenue from the sales. I just think that the melodies are lovely and that many of my readers may enjoy the music as well.

With permission of the artist, I have uploaded a sample of this CD is here.

(Link) Those of you who read my blog on GOOGLE READER, for some strange reason, do not see the embedded music player. Go to the actual blog (just this one time) and click the "play" button. It's there. I promise ;)

Wednesday's Wacky Signs

Not to be confused with those cheap "imitation" fake watches.... No siree!

Hat Tip: Yekke Wannabe

Popping In To Show Some Signs Of Life...

Yes, I haven't posted in a week.

Yes, I'm fine.

I wasn't kidding when I said that you are not allowed to utter the "P" word, until after Purim (the first in the "P" word series). But then it begins with a vengeance.

Now that Purim is over, posts may be a bit spottier, due to Pesach cleaning, prep and shopping.

Yesterday was our annual Pesach Shopping Day. It is a day approached with much trepidation. I get to go to one of my least favorite locales for an all day grocery, meat, housewares etc. shopping marathon.

I must admit that yesterday was not as unpleasant as some previous trips I have made. I was able to find most of the items on my list and even a few items that weren't on my list.

We also had fun playing our version of the old game show The Price is Right. As we approached the register, our back straining in order to keep our overladen carts on a steady course, we all took a guess at the "actual retail value" of the approaching stash. The person whose guess is the closest (without going over) is the winner. Guess which savvy shopper actually came in UNDER everybody's guess at each store :D ?

So what thoughts ran through my head today?

First of all - I get NO MONEY and NO FREEBIES, COMPENSATION OR ANYTHING, from the guys over at Glatt Mart, but I just have to tell you that I've never met a nicer, more accommodating bunch of butchers than they have over there. You guys ROCK!!!

Secondly, can someone please explain to me why I need FIFTEEN pounds of sugar for ONE WEEK?!?!? (I won't mention that they dovetail with the two 96 ounce bottles of oil ....sheesh)

Why, when I call my credit card company on Friday to warn them, so that the guy in the fraud protection department doesn't have a coronary when the transactions begin rolling in, do they still reject my card at the first stop? (and believe me, the first stop wasn't even the biggest....)

Why do I habitually pick up items that I seldom (or never) buy during the year? Do we really NEED chocolate syrup? (sorry guys... it was a 'no') Gefilte fish in a jar? (blech!) Coconut covered marshmallows?? OK - this one is a KEEPER - I just don't know why, but it wouldn't be Pesach without them ... which brings me to this cartoon:

I guess I'm not the only one..... What do YOU buy that becomes part of "that Yom Tov feeling"?