A chocolate cookie shot and two fun & yummy ways to use those Thanksgiving leftovers…
1 shot of Biscotti Liquor, 1 shot of Irish Cream, pour over ice and stir. Pour into 2 shot glasses, cheers and enjoy! 🥂
All those thanksgiving leftovers can be put to great use for further enjoyment…
Mama’s Famous Cookies!
Join us throughout this festival season for some of our favorite recipes, from cookies to cocktails and everything in between!
Growing up Jewish, mealtimes weren’t just about eating—they were the heartbeat of our family, the centerpiece of every gathering, and the backdrop to our most cherished memories. Whether it was the aroma of freshly baked challah filling the house on a Friday night or the careful preparation of dishes passed down for generations, food was never just food. It was a connection to our past, a celebration of our culture, and a way to bring everyone together.
From holiday feasts to everyday dinners filled with laughter (and plenty of debate), every meal carried meaning. In our home, the table was more than just a place to eat—it was where stories were shared, traditions were kept alive, and love was served in generous portions.
One of my favorite recipes that mom would bake was her Mandel Brodt and of course if there was a way to add chocolate, she would figure that out… I love that I have a handwritten recipe of hers as well as her cookbook (you can see this cookbook was well loved).
I cannot talk about food, my mom & traditions without mentioning Passover. Passover was always my favorite holiday. My mom would spend days pulling out the “special” dishes, planning the menu and of course hours & hours of cooking. Mom would invite everyone over for the Passover Seder. Friends and family would gather around multiple tables, coming together to share in this feast. I think everyone came for my mom’s specialty dish – fricassee (a slow-cooked chicken wings dish, gently simmered in a flavorful, velvety sweet sauce). For some reason, I enjoyed her chopped liver. There were all the traditional choices like matzah ball soup and of course my grandmother’s famous rolls. Mom would bake her amazing coconut, chocolate cake (yes, it was kosher for Passover) and there would be more desserts than the actual meal so there was never a shortage of food.
Fast forward to now… I married an Italian man who is a total foodie and loves to cook. We start every morning with a conversation about what we should make for dinner. We have our own traditions where every Sunday, we make a sauce. Aaaand we bake Mama’s (Dan’s grandmother) cookies so there is always a sweet treat nearby. We host most holiday meals (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas & Chanukkah) in our home. Even though family members may be gone, we keep them alive with their famous recipes, we share stories of shared memories and of course, the kitchen is always at the heart of it all.
What are some of your special food traditions?
As I have become more of a foodie, I have become more open to trying new flavors and combinations. One of my favorite combos has become charcuterie boards and champagne (champs, pronounced shamps for short).
A charcuterie board is a delicious masterpiece on a platter—a mix of savory meats, creamy cheeses, crisp crackers, and bursts of sweet and tangy goodness from fruits, nuts, and jams. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure of flavors that turns snacking into an art form. Whether you keep it classic or get creative, charcuterie is always a little fancy, a lot of fun, and perfect for sharing!
Speaking of fancy… Champagne is pure celebration in a glass—light, bubbly, and effortlessly elegant. Each sip is a tiny explosion of crisp, refreshing joy, making even the simplest moments feel like an occasion. Whether you’re toasting to something big or just adding a little sparkle to the day, champagne is always the answer. Pop, fizz, cheers!
One of my favorite memories is a welcome to the neighborhood party, hosted by Dan (my amazing hubby) as I officially moved in with him. He invited our closest friends, our welcoming neighbors and created this amazing charcuterie spread. Talk about the perfect mix of fun and fancy—endless combinations of flavors, textures, and creativity.
Aaaaand you know what goes great with this gorgeous spread? Some bubbles!!!
“Cue the Veuve.”
I discovered this beautiful bottle with some friends and haven’t looked back since. Needless to say, Veuve has become my favorite champagne for every celebration. From a gathering of friends to Sunday morning mimosas, “life gives us endless reasons to celebrate—we just have to pop the cork!”
I think of effortless elegance, a perfect pairing of savory and bubbly, and a celebration on a board! It’s the ultimate mix of class and creativity—where rich cheeses, cured meats, and fresh bites meet crisp, sparkling sips. It’s a little fancy, a lot of fun, and always a good time!
Today, I’m excited to share one of my absolute favorite recipes—Tomato Confit! There’s something magical about slow-roasting tomatoes until they’re bursting with rich, sweet, and savory flavors. Whether you spread them on toast, toss them with pasta, or use them as a topping, this recipe is a game-changer. Get ready for a simple yet delicious way to bring out the best in tomatoes! I love them with a chicken cutlet, covered in burrata topped with Tomato Confit. Bon Appetit!
Comment with how you would enjoy this amazing treat.
“Every great cook starts somewhere, and that often includes a few kitchen blunders! From mistaking salt for sugar to setting off the smoke alarm with an ambitious new recipe, we’ve all been there. The key is to laugh, learn, and keep cooking—because every mistake is just another step toward mastering the kitchen!”
Cooking can seem intimidating at first, but with a few simple techniques, anyone can become confident in the kitchen. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, these five easy cooking tips will set you up for success!
Before you start cooking, take a moment to read the entire recipe from start to finish. This helps you understand the steps, gather all necessary ingredients, and avoid surprises midway through the process.
A sharp knife is safer and more effective than a dull one. Dull knives require more force, increasing the risk of slipping and cutting yourself. Invest in a good-quality chef’s knife and learn how to maintain its sharpness.
Not all cooking requires high heat! Use low to medium heat for simmering sauces, cooking eggs, or softening vegetables. High heat is great for searing meats but can easily burn delicate ingredients. Learning when to adjust the heat is key to great cooking.
One of the secrets to great cooking is tasting your food throughout the process. This allows you to adjust seasonings, ensuring the perfect balance of flavors before serving.
Keeping your workspace tidy makes cooking more enjoyable and less overwhelming. Wash dishes, wipe counters, and put away ingredients as you go to avoid a mountain of cleanup at the end.
By following these simple tips, you’ll gain confidence and efficiency in the kitchen. Remember, cooking is a skill that improves with practice—so have fun and enjoy the process!
Do you have a favorite beginner-friendly cooking tip? Share it in the comments below!
I came across this quote recently and it made me pause and think…
“There are many people less qualified than you doing what you want to do. They simply believed in themselves and didn’t make any excuses. Period.”
It made me pause and think because it hit home on so many levels. I have been struggling to find myself lately. To find a passion project or even a hobby of some sort. I look around and see so many people with creative hobbies or activities that bring them joy. What do I believe that I can do?
So, I stop and think about the things that bring me joy. The activities I like to spend my time doing. I love writing and work hard to find inspiration and motivation so I can continue to share my story. Music brings me such comfort and joy. Almost every night, Dan and I listen to some vinyl and it’s the perfect way to end a day. I scroll on social media and see all these great things happening to everyone around me. I am sincerely happy for those in my various feeds. I smile seeing the good things, the perfectly, pretty pictures, the celebrations, the uplifting stories. I think if we manifest the positive, great things WILL happen.
Believe you can and you’re halfway there. I mean come on… if cauliflower can become pizza, you can do anything!
“Kitchen: (noun) – a gathering place for family and friends – a place where memories are made and seasoned with love”. Life is short, buy the good champs! (Pronounced ‘shamps’ and is my short for ‘champagne) 🥂
Growing up, the Garfinkel kitchen was always the center of everything. My mom would cook and bake and everyone gathered around. Friends and family were always around and there was a ton of activity. Baking cookies was always a favorite pastime, but I steered clear of cooking. As I entered the world of adulthood, I actually purchased a few pots and pans, maybe some condiments and sauces, but boiling water was still a challenge. For many years, I was asked to put the knife down so I wouldn’t hurt myself.
I have lived in a number of houses over the years, but one thing has always stayed the same… the kitchen is still the heart of the home. Not only has the space evolved and become larger, but I also own my very own cutting board and knife (thank you to my amazing gift giving husband, Dan)!
I make Dan’s infamous Sunday Sauce. Family recipes come to life and we really enjoy spending time in our kitchen. Everyone who comes over, sits around the table, enjoys a delicious snack and a cold cocktail of some sort. There is always great conversation and ultimately new memories.
Join me and my family around the table. I will share quotes of inspiration, kitchen tips & tricks as well as delicious recipes, cooking videos and of course everything from kitchen tools to my funny kitchen blunders. Let’s discover how to make mealtime more enjoyable and relaxing with products and content that inspire creativity & simplify cooking.
❤️👩🏻🍳🥂
Kitchen Time with Wendi