Mandel Bread: Cinnamon Sugar or Chocolate, Apricot and Earl Grey

Hidden treasures are kept in shoe boxes. For some that might mean their favorite Jimmy Choo's or their collectible Nike's. Others keep love letters and hidden secrets. Kids keep their marble collections, Lego's or doll clothes. In my Omi's shoebox was Mandel bread, laden with cinnamon sugar and hidden between layers of wax paper. The box was brought out with tea served in tea cups, not mugs;

Potato Kugel (Ilse's One and Only, Not for Passover, No Eggs, To Die For Potato Kugel)

The above is a very long title because it is hard to put into words the truth about this potato kugel.  Honestly, I wish I knew the truth. Kugels, usually made from potatoes or noodles, are often served as a side dish on Shabbat. The word for kugel in German means sphere, globe or ball. Ilse's kugel is made in a round shape though most kugels now, whether noodle or potato are usually

Ilse's Passover Mocha Nut Cake or more simply Ilse's Cake

I’m not sure how my Papa Alex fell in love with our beloved Ilse, but I believe it had something to do with her cooking. I was young when my Bubby died and I know my Papa was very sad. However it wasn’t too long until he found Ilse and we all discovered that the way to a man and a family’s heart is through their stomachs. Ilse was a tremendous comfort to Papa which made me comfortable

Holiday Spritz Cookies




Spritz Cookies







Spritz Cookies



Spritz cookies are definitely a holiday tradition. It doesn’t matter whether you are making cute little Christmas trees or pretty pink poinsiettias. They are a fun cookie to make. I’ve eaten them for years and not just at the holidays. My third grandmother used to press them out of the little star shaped disc and made long wavy shapes. They were

German Apple Pancake

My morning started out rough. My car didn’t start. I think it felt ignored the last 6 days as I didn’t venture out because of the COLD weather. I am sorry car, but you made me miss the Macy’s morning sale. Now I will probably have to buy you a battery, but I don’t think Macy’s sells those. So instead of being at Macy’s I am now at home writing this blog. It is a good one about German