memoir

Three sumptuous-looking fillets of cod sat on my kitchen counter and all I could think of was my mother. In a made-for-TV moment, the wall in front of me blurred, some jingly-ghostly music played in … [more]

There are many, many wonderful things about being with Raschinna. Beauty, brains, class, drive and an accent (St. Vincent in the Grenadines by way of Brooklyn) that I heard an admirer claim he could … [more]

I felt like a Firecracker Shrimp fraud. A Potsticker poser. I had been invited to be a guest chef at a prestigious festival held at a swanky, mountain resort. This was the first time I would be doing … [more]

In my childhood summers that were boring, yet amazing, I often sold overpriced lemonade with the sun blazing. But my first try at making the sweet drink Would not be as successful as one would think … [more]

My friend’s twelve year-old daughter had been asking me to show her how to make homemade marshmallow peeps. So, the Saturday before Easter, my kitchen was transformed into peep central. All the … [more]

Food does have a magical influence on people and it seems — sometimes — of all ages. Just tonight, my 17-month old daughter, Lucy, tasted a butter cracker for the first time. Not since … [more]

Damn you, St. Valentine. Wasn’t it explicitly understood that Roman soldiers couldn’t marry? Didn’t Claudius II publicly declare that he would execute any priest who brazenly defied his rule? … [more]

Hello. Here are all my favourite foods. My number one best food has to be watermelon. It’s so sweet and juicy! I love the way you take a bite, then feel the watermelon juice roll down your … [more]

I was seven when I first drank Sangria. It is worth a story. My dad bought one of those VW campers (where the roof extends upwards to reveal a couple of beds and the seats below morph into a large … [more]

My dad held a belief that when a relationship comes to an end you let it go. He insisted no good can come from staying friendly with an ex. On a memorable occasion, some time in 1988, I remember … [more]

As far as I am concerned my two little girls are complete and total hellions. Tennessee Williams coined a phrase just for the two of them when he penned “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” Clearly he was … [more]

Years ago I was dating a beautiful woman. We were young and I was nervous. I knew that I didn’t want to blow things because I had a sense I was onto something good here. So the early encounters … [more]

Subject: My First Shabbat in Benin, making Challah in Africas: Using a gift book, A Day Apart: Shabbat at Home, from My Cousin I would like to share this story with you: (I admit, it turned out to be … [more]

Sheila, my wife, was away on a course over a full week-end. I was left to look after the five kids. Cooking for them was basic standard and probably not up to GreatGrub level. There was nothing … [more]

Growing up we were all served certain dishes on a regular basis. This one brings back fond memories for me of cold days, delicious aromas throughout the house, and great variety in eating the same … [more]

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I am sure that all of us have some great memories and stories. I for one, would like to see, hear, laugh and commiserate with you. It seems like everyone … [more]

Growing up as a Chinese-American in Minnesota in the ‘70s was, at times, completely bizarre. First, there was the lack of clubs or organizations for people like us so we joined the Jewish Community … [more]

My Auntie Fay made the best apple strudel I have eaten. She took the recipe to her grave, as far as I know. I used to ask her each time I saw her how she made it, but she refused to divulge her … [more]

I was asked recently why I eat quickly and hunched over my food in a quite protective fashion. I had not noticed this behaviour and reflected on why this might be so. I figured it out in less time it … [more]

My father has been writing his biography for some months now. From time to time he passes extracts to me which I have read to my children. I think he writes for them and his other grand-children … [more]