F&F Recipe Collection
>>savory - in no particular order<<
Spiedies - This is Really a Marinade
Even though I went to university in upstate New York I had never had Spiedies (this Bighamton NY delicacy) until I met fellow Professor Steve Kucera at University of Tampa. He hosted small get-togethers at his home and inevitably served spiedies. These events we special to me. It was a time where I questioned my roots a lot. The food was always homey and everyone would talk about where home had been before Florida. I started making them in my home and they became part of our family tradition. We make them with chicken but any protein will do. GET RECIPE
Jack Daniels Marinade
Lauren Lindheimer was one of the best cooks / entertainers I knew in Tampa. (Sorry Natalia and Shelley.) Lauren is beautiful and graceful in both manner and soul. I vividly remember her preparing this, doing a quick shrimp marination, then tossing them on the grill. Some fresh greens and warm bread followed and we sat and talked about life, cooking, and children. Lauren and her family left Tampa for great adventures. I am not sure where they are now. This marinade, we use mainly on pork, has become a staple in our home and hearts. I think of Lauren every time I make it. GET RECIPE
Mama Gina's Lasagna
When I was in high school my friend Gina (Granddaughter on Mama Gina) and I spent countless days at each other's homes. The traditional Italian food served in her home of extended family is one of my deepest memories of that time. That and sitting in her room listening to hair bands but I digress. I have lost touch with Gina but that connection lives on through this recipe. Mama Gina's lasagna is now part of the tradition I pass through my own family and friends. This photo is from the first one my 19 year old made on his own while serving with The AmeriCorps. GET RECIPE
ariella’s Chicken
Avrham and Ariella were our fisrt real neighbor / friends after we were married. His father was an Orthodox Rabbi and her’s an Orthodox Cantor. We lived in the same building and we became fast friends. Ariella and I had a similar commute and would spend hours on the LIRR together. We often had Shabbat dinner with them. Since they strictly kept the Sabbath and were kosher, I learned a lot from Ariella, her kitchen, and her cooking! This recipe is the perfect one pot, feed many mouths for many days with everyone being happy type of recipe. Enjoy! GET RECIPE
Mashed Cauliflower
Rocky Bridges and his wife Kathleen visited my parents at Three Maples Farm one summer. She made mashed cauliflower promising it would be the perfect substitute for mashed potatoes. She walked me through the prep. We spent time chit-chatting about family, art, and watched the pending sunset over a field of soy beans out of my mother's kitchen window. The food was amazing and Kathleen was right. I am not sure if she remembers that evening; or even the visit but I do. We never became close. I cannot remember if we actually ever meaningfully spoke again after that. But I remember that night and mashed cauliflower is now a staple in our home. Thank you Kathleen. GET RECIPE
Coriander and Jalapeno Sauce for Almost Anything You Want to Add Kick To!
Thank you Jaques Pepin! While this is adapted you were certainly the inspiration. I first made this for a dinner party in Florida where I wanted something hearty but bright with a beautiful plate. This sauce can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the fridge for quick and easy use. GET RECIPE
Rainbow Mac and Cheese
The Second Grade Holiday Cookbook 2004 from Zachary is the source of this calorie-laden comfort plate. I do not think Makenzie Kent and Zachary passed 20 words during school and most certinaly have not spoken since 2014 but the Kent family will forever be linked to the Steinhardt clan through this recipe. GET RECIPE
Quick Mac and Cheese
Who thought that an adaptation from a meal-in-a-box subscription service would become a household staple. It is easy to control these ingredients and adapt for caloric considerations. Add any protien or veg to make it your own. Oscar likes this with Zach Sauce. I like miine with shallot, spinach, and mushroom. GET RECIPE
“Zach” Sauce (or Meat Sauce)
This started as the mystery meat sauce my mother made for years. Finally the secret was exposed by my sister… Italian Salad Dressing packets! This is one of the first things Zachary cooked on his own for the family and with his adaptation it became Zach Sauce. There are many adaptations for this. Feel free to make it your own. GET RECIPE
Broccoli Salad
I really thought Granny invented this and I was wrong! I still like this recipe best and it is surely a staple. GET RECIPE
Sesame Noodles
This is a la Elaine Canter. Not sure what it was with her and noodles but man she was good at it. GET RECIPE
Sesame Peanut Noodles
This one takes me back to afternoons at the shore where Granny would have “the ladies” over for snacks, wine, and gossip. A huge shout out to Nigella Lawson for this “never can make enough” recipe. Seriously delicious and serioulsy calorie laden. GET RECIPE
White Bread
Who knew my 13 year old's science class would start the habit of fresh baked bread; certainly not me. With the goal of calculating the carbon footprint of something tangible, the science lab of the week involved baking bread. In the name of science my not-so-little anymore one forged ahead with the lab experiment doing something he has watched me do for years. On his own, with careful measuring and instruction following he produced a delicious loaf of bread. It tasted better than any bread he had before. When it was devoured, he began to make another batch. This time we did it together and not for science but with love. GET RECIPE
Potato Latkes
The more the merrier… the more latkes the better and the more people cooking together the better. Be sure to have an “Oscar” to make sure the potatoes are as dry as possible. GET RECIPE
Salmon salad
Thank you, Zachary, for this one. There is nothing like reading a cookbook and simply NEEDING to try a recipe right away. There is always a bin in our fridge now. GET RECIPE
>>breakfast any time<<
Griddle Cakes
From the Classic McCalls Cookbook to Granny to Zachary… griddlecakes are a staple for weekend and holiday breakfast… lunch… and sometimes dinner! These sweet mini cakes cooked on a griddle are like a little hug. Eat these dipped in syrup or with spooned jams. GET RECIPE
Buttermilk Waffles without Actual Buttermilk
From the Classic McCalls Cookbook again. My mom made these waffles almost every time we all were home and then made them when the grandchildren were around. She had heart-shaped waffle maker for SteinHEART. They can get messy but worth it. These waffles freeze up really well to be quickly toasted up direclty out of the freezer. They also make killer icecream sandwiches ;-). GET RECIPE
>>desserts<<
Flourless Chocolate Torte - Break the Fast is Kugel… Passover is THIS!
Every break the fast was kugel and every seder is this cake. It is best defined by what it is not… it is not too dense, not too rich, and not too hard to make or transport. It is the perfect compliment to end a long sedar. Cut any hint of richness with tart berries like raspberries or whipped cream (if you are not keeping kosher). GET RECIPE
Blondies
Seriously?! Who doesn’t need some blondiesin their life? There is no way to make this poorly - even in you decide not to bake it and eat the dough raw!!!! GET RECIPE
Cinammon-Streusel coffeecake
What comes of two bored teenagers who want some coffecake and no one will go out and get one… voila, the internet and King Arthur recipes and you get some amazing coffeecake. GET RECIPE
Peach Bread
This can be done with any frozen fruit. Papp loved peaches so this was Ma’s go to adaptation of bread pudding! You are going to want to double of triple this one for sure. GET RECIPE