North Shore to South Bay

12/27/2025

Alright Facebook world, I am hoping you can help me!

As many of you know, I am deep into working on my second cookbook and I think it is truly something that should be shared with home cooks across the country. It is a love letter to family. (You can read the synopsis below if you want more information).

So... I am asking you... Do you have connections to literary agents or publishing houses? Comment on this post or send me a DM if you do. I would be so grateful for any connections you all have!

Book Synopsis
This cookbook is a love letter told through food—a family scrapbook brought to life in the kitchen. It is deeply rooted in family, memory, and the women who taught me how to cook and how to care for others. Each chapter is centered around a Bubbe or future Bubbe who shaped my life, weaving together personal stories and meaningful recipes that reflect generations of Jewish tradition, resilience, and love. The book is meant to feel like flipping through your mother’s recipe cards or your grandmother’s well-worn cookbooks—pages marked by time, notes scribbled in the margins, and dishes made again and again for the people you love. From humble everyday meals to celebratory dishes for full tables, these recipes honor the way food connects families across generations. More than a guide to what to cook, this book invites you to mix, match, and make the recipes your own, creating warmth, connection, and a sense of home wherever you are.

11/20/2025

You can take the girl out of chicago, but you can’t take Chicago out of tbe girl!

Jewish tradition meets the flavors of Chicago

11/17/2025

Catch me on PBS with my grandma!

Family Recipe: Jewish American Style begins airing on November 28th! Check your local PBS listings.

11/03/2025

I can finally share the news!

I, along with my grandmother, were filmed over the summer to be a part of this project! It will air on your local PBS station beginning November 28th, so check your local listings!

11/02/2025

What does a cozy fall afternoon sound like in my household?

Exactly this! Making my grandmother-in-law’s totally old country beef and barley soup. Catch the full recipe in my new cookbook 👀

10/20/2025

There’s something so special about recipes that blend traditions — and this Pumpkin Rugelach Pie does just that. 🥧✨ It’s the perfect melding of American fall comfort and classic Jewish pastry — buttery, flaky rugelach dough meets creamy, spiced pumpkin filling.

It tastes like Shabbat meets Thanksgiving — cozy, nostalgic, and just a little bit unexpected. 🍂

Find the full recipe on my blog: https://www.northshoretosouthbay.com/post/pumpkin-rugelach-pie

10/14/2025

Mexican Hot Chocolate Babka

RECIPE: https://www.northshoretosouthbay.com/post/mexican-hot-chocolate-babka

If you grew up with American hot chocolate, you probably think of those little packets of cocoa mix whisked into hot milk - sweet, creamy, and comforting. Or maybe you’ve had European-style hot chocolate, which is dark, thick, and almost pudding-like in its richness.

But Mexican hot chocolate? That’s a whole other world.

Mexican hot chocolate is bold, fragrant, and layered with spice. Cinnamon is the star, often joined by a whisper of nutmeg or allspice - and sometimes even a fiery kick of chili pepper. It’s not just about sweetness, but warmth, depth, and that little surprise on the back of your tongue that makes you go back for another sip.

So of course, I had to take those flavors and twist them (literally) into a babka. This Mexican Hot Chocolate Babka is everything I love about the drink - the cozy chocolate, the aromatic spice, the tiny spark of heat - all swirled into buttery, golden bread. It’s rich and indulgent. Think of it as hot chocolate you can slice, share, and eat for breakfast the next day

09/30/2025

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Babka

Recipe: https://www.northshoretosouthbay.com/post/white-chocolate-macadamia-nut-babka

We just got back from a trip to Hawaii, and ever since we landed back home I cannot stop craving the flavors of the islands. Fresh pineapple, coconut, poke… and yes, macadamia nuts. While in Kauai, we wandered through a farmer’s market and found a local vendor selling the most amazing flavored macadamias I’ve ever tasted. I always thought I wasn’t a macadamia person - but one buttery, crunchy, perfectly roasted bite and I was converted.

Naturally, I had to turn this into a babka flavor. This white chocolate macadamia nut babka is a swirly, golden loaf that marries the richness of buttery babka dough with the tropical sweetness of white chocolate and the irresistible crunch of macadamias. Basically, it’s a memory of Hawaii in every bite!

09/13/2025

Got meet some of my favorite celebrity chefs today at Del Mar Wine and Food Festival! 🍷

08/21/2025

I’m deep into working on my second cookbook — this one inspired by the incredible Jewish grandmas in my life and the food traditions they’ve lovingly passed down.

I can’t share too many details yet (keeping the surprise alive!), but what I can share is that I’m on the lookout for connections in the literary agent and publishing world.

If you:
📚 Work in publishing,
🤝 Know an agent who specializes in cookbooks or culinary voices, or
💡 Have advice from your own journey in this space,

…I’d be so grateful if you could reach out by email ([email protected]) or send me a message here.

This project is deeply personal, and I’m excited to carry forward the flavors, stories, and spirit of the Jewish grandmothers who’ve shaped me.

Thank you in advance for helping me take the next steps in bringing this to life.

07/28/2025

✨A dream come true ✨

I was invited to be part of a TV show (more on that soon!) that celebrates the power of food, family, and heritage — and I got to share one of my most treasured Jewish family recipes on camera… with my grandma by my side.

This is the brisket I grew up eating at every holiday table. The one she made with love, from memory, the way her mother taught her. Getting to cook it together, to laugh and share stories in front of the cameras, was one of the most special experiences of my life.

I’ve always believed that recipes carry more than just ingredients — they carry history, love, identity. I’m so proud and grateful that I got to share ours.

More to come soon ❤️

07/16/2025

🍔 Cheeseburger in Paradise Babka 🍔

https://www.northshoretosouthbay.com/post/cheeseburger-in-paradise-babka

Truth be told, we both grew up listening to the music of Jimmy Buffett, my dad and my in-laws both love the man from Mississippi. I knew all of the words to Volcano and Cheeseburger in Paradise by the time I was five years old. Fast forward 25 years later and you'll catch Noah and I driving down the coast with the sunroof open, listening Margaritaville radio.

Every time the song Cheeseburger in Paradise comes on the radio I think of the time that I saw Mr. Buffett live at Wrigley field. He knew his audience was largely Jewish (as is the population who lives around Wrigley Field), and so he changed the words to "hamburger in paradise" to stay kosher! This recipe will have to be made with impossible burger meat to make it kosher, but I hope you enjoy!