I am back from my trip to Paris and even though I missed Hubs, it was too quick! I spent a few days with dear friends and then joined a small group hosted by reps from Staub in the US.  We went to the Staub factory in Merville, France, which was like being a kid in a candy store. I saw how all Staub enameled cast iron is made from start to finish.  As you know, I started buying Staub in my 20’s when I was first married and built my collection slowly over time. I am still using the same pieces in my daily cooking and I still believe Staub is the highest quality, most beautiful and versatile cookware.  For anyone interested in all the restaurants and shops I visited in Paris (+ some of the ones I didn’t get to), it will all be in this Monday’s newsletter! Here’s your dinner planner for the week:

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My heart is heavy.  The past week has been more than difficult to comprehend and I fear there will be less peace instead of more, at least in the near future. I am en route to Paris for a solo trip to visit a few friends and then take a tour of the Staub Factory outside of Paris, which has always been on my bucket list.  Feel free to follow along on Instagram if you’re looking for a distraction. Stay safe. Check in on your friends and loved ones who may feel anxious and alone right now. I am very proud of my community and I appreciate and love you. 

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I am back from visiting my mom and she really recuperated incredibly well after her procedure. I had a lovely time on Long Island (the weather after the epic rainstorm was perfection) and I even got to visit Anna in Jersey City, her new home!  I have a lot to catch up on and I am also getting ready for a big trip next Friday to Paris. I’ll be visiting friends for a couple days and then I was lucky enough to be invited by Staub to go to their factory outside of the city.  Some people like to go to Paris to shop and see the Eiffel Tower.  My dream is to go to the Staub factory!!  You’ll have to follow on Instagram to come along with me! Here’s your dinner planner for the week:Continue reading

I’m currently on Long Island helping my mom so I’ll have to wing it if I can manage an IG live on Monday night. Just check my stories on Monday and I’ll let you know then!  If you’re a monthly cooking class subscriber, we are uploading the new class on October 1st!  The theme is Cozy Fall Dinners at Home and the recipes include the following:

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, Oven Roasted Salmon with Rice and Coconut-Tomato Sauce, Tamale Pie, Radicchio Salad with Olives and Parmesan, Vegan Chocolate Snacking Cake with Sweet Potato Chocolate Frosting

All the recipes can be made vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and they are all brand-new!  If you are not taking my cooking classes, you should be! Give me an hour a month, and I’ll make you a better cook! Here’s your dinner planner for the week:Continue reading

I have been churning out the homemade veggie and chicken stocks and freezing them because once football starts, I consider it soup season.  I actually make more soup than my dinner planner indicates.  I always make soup for Sunday lunch and at least once during the week.  A tip I have for you is that many leftovers can be transformed into a soup.  Casseroles, leftover cooked proteins and vegetables, baked potatoes and other starches.  I chop up anything that might taste good together and put it in a saucepan and add enough stock that it looks like a soup. Reheat and enjoy!  Here’s your dinner planner for the week:

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Happy and sweet new year to everyone celebrating Rosh Hashana!  Next week I’ll have some links for the break fast, but you can always look at previous dinner planners from years past for ideas if you need inspo asap.

For my monthly online cooking class students, I hope you are enjoying the September class!  I have heard from many of you who are cooking up a storm and love the new recipes!  Nothing makes me happier!  I am hosting live zoom office hours this Wednesday at 12:00 pm PT if you want to come and hang out or ask my anything.  Check your inbox for the zoom link.  Here’s your dinner planner for the week:

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The Jewish new year is coming up at the end of this week, so I’ve provided some ideas if you’re looking to change up your menu.  Whenever I host any Jewish holiday, I like to honor some of the traditional foods, but mix in some modern dishes just to keep things interesting and fresh!  As I always say, commit to your menu as soon as possible so you can start prepping and taking action. Don’t overthink it!

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Happy Labor Day Weekend, aka the unofficial end of summer! Some people love the start of the new school year and the structure it brings, and others long for an endless summer with fewer commitments and better weather.  I get it. Hubs and I are taking one last mini trip this weekend to visit friends in Aspen.  The Rocky Mountains are such a magnificent part of the US and I am looking forward to spending time outdoors and having an active weekend.

My latest cooking class has been uploaded!  The theme for September is “Family Dinners” and this is the flexible menu: Chicken Florentine with Spinach, Roasted Salmon over Red Lentils, Warm Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad, Zucchini-Pesto Rice Bake, and Apple Coffee Cake.  I give substitution suggestions for the big allergens and dietary preferences, so even if you’re vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, or grain-free, I have you covered!  Here’s your dinner planner for the week: Continue reading