Jar It Up

Mason Jars are one of those things on earth that make my life cleaner, prettier, and simpler. I'd love to do a little round-up as to how these fabulous glass jars make my economical world go 'round, but for now here's how they keep they keep me just a bit saner come the Purim time of year: jarred Shalach Manos (i.e. "Purim Baskets"). (2008) Spring-pea Pesto in a jar. Stick in the fridge, and blend up on demand. Dinner's a cinch!

(2009) My grandmothers Oatmeal Espresso Chocolate Chunk cookie mix in a jar. A useful gift to stick in the pantry for late night cookie monsters, rainy days, or last-minute play-dates.

(2010) Cinnamon Chocolate Biscotti + Chai Tea bags. A cozy tea time in a bottle.

I'm not quite finished with this year's just yet (there are some details that can't be done until the last minute), but let's just say I would totally enjoy a Cupcake in a Jar if it were dropped off on my doorstep!

Hamantaschen: Reinvented

I have to admit it, I was always quite the Hamantaschen-hater. Never really had digs for this triangular Purim cookie - they always seemed a little stale, or loaded with preservatives to keep them soft... The filling never did it for me either; prune, poppy - and I'm out. This year I decided to get my holiday baking on with Freida, and for educational purposes there would be no skipping the  buttery dough. I searched around a bit for a recipe that appealed to me, but in the end I mixed bits and pieces from a few different places and wound up with a rather bright and fresh tasting dough! I also decided to improve from the inside out, and went with some filling I love - strawberry-rhubarb. Let me tell you, these little cookies came out perfectly buttery, flaky, sweet, and fresh!! Thought I'd share the recipe...

Hamantaschen:

- 1 1/2 sticks butter/margarine, softened

- 1/2 cup sugar

- 1 egg

- 1 teaspoon (or more) lemon zest

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 3 cups all purpose flour

I used a mixer to cream the butter with the sugar, added the egg etc. It looks really crumbly at first, so put the mixer on high and let it pund out some good-looking dough. Form the dough into a large disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least an hour. Flour a surface, roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick, and cut out circles (you can use the lip of a glass) to lay on cookie sheet. Drop a teaspoon of filling in middle of each circle, and pinch 3 corners into a triangle (if it doesn't want to stick - use some water). Bake for 17 minutes on °375. Let cool (lest your scorch your palette with searing jam!).

P.S. I'm currently obsessed with ikat print! I was overjoyed to find these beauties at Marshalls, but can find ikat napkins like that one here.

Weekend Round-up!

Happy sun-soaked Friday to you all! Here's a few links I've been meaning to share:

- A cute + clever creative-table invention for the kiddos.

- The Bugaboo Donkey prices are in. Oh my!

- My latest Algemeiner article, "The Zaidy Syndrome".

- This bicycle basket has got me in the spring groove... Dreaming of sandals, bike rides, and farmers market flowers!

- Zara Kids Spring 2011 Collection is brimming with children's chic and class.

- A Rabbi seriously redefines devotion after the tragic New Zealand quake. (Tzippy, you've got quite the man on your hands! We love you and miss you guys!!)

- Some really great lunch-box ideas from Gwyneth - to revamp the old routine.

Happy (almost spring!!) weekend!

Green Eggs and Pam

In honor of the birthday of Theodor Geisel -the madman-genius who is Dr. Seuss, (and for Mimi who let me in on that super-random, super-notable fact!), I'll share a kosher-kitchen recipe inspired by his most non-kosher of books. Green Eggs and Pam (well, technically it's not even real "pam", just extra virgin olive oil from a Misto spray bottle) came to me when I was a single workin'-girl, at home in Chicago for 24 hours for a friends wedding, and famished/hungover at about 4am in my mother's cook-tempting kitchen. Out came the eggs, the skillet- the pesto! It's not a recipe so much as a revelation... Whisk eggs with a generous dollop of pesto; scramble, fry, or poach your way to savory-breakfast perfection! Garnish with flecks of goat cheese, feta, or even parmesan.

Plus, once we're on the Seuss subject, I'll leave you with some loony links I love:

1. Best graduation gift ever!

2. Cartoon + Converse Collaberation

3. Vintage Seuss Onesies

4.  A totally rad Purim getup - for 2!

5. Seuss-inspired furniture

6. Ever seen a Hebrew Wocket?

Happy Birthday to the man who encourages our children to "Hop on Pop" - which is especially helpful in the early morning!

Seasonal Sweets

There was no way I could make it through the market and leave these fresh-from-the-grove mandarins behind. They were too beautiful with the contrasting bright orange and deep green leaves... Not that they'll last long; beneath all the beauty of these little fruit gems is the most flavorful and succulent goodness - they put Cuties to shame!