Jessica Faith Meter – FoodWatcher

The Unexpected Ingredient That Ties Together This Summer Dinner Menu

We’ve teamed up with Marzetti to share a few of our favorite ways to transform warm-weather dishes using their new line of tasty, preservative-free, Simply dressings and marinades. From creamy Avocado Green Goddess Dressing & Sauce to zingy Balsami…

Summertime at the farmers’ market is my mecca, as it is for many avid cooks. As I approach the market’s white tents, the fragrant scent of basil and mint washes over me like a warm breeze. Then, the rainbow of colorful produce comes into sight, and my heart swells with excitement, joy, and—I’ll admit it—complete and utter panic. What should I cook?! I immediately start planning menus in my head as I grab tomatoes, squash, lettuces, and all of the herbs. And then I shlep my market haul home, get it into my fridge, and promptly forget all the menu plans I had in mind when I was shopping.

For a New Take on Old Traditions, Consider This Passover Grazing Board

Passover is a holiday that celebrates spring, rebirth, and redemption. Passover traditions change and evolve—no two Seders are the same, which makes them so special. One delightful tradition I stick to is the frequent instruction to drink wine (I don’t need to be reminded, but it’s a great excuse). Another is having the youngest child ask “The Four Questions,” explaining what Passover is about (the exodus of the Jews from Egypt) and answering, “why is this night different from all other nights?” In my family, I was always the youngest child, so I sang the questions in Hebrew until I was 35. My mother always joked that all she got from my Hebrew school education was the Four Questions. (I actually think that made the tuition worth it.)

With my own kids now shouldering this burden, I can relax! No more anxiety about singing in front of everyone, which means I can drink my wine and chill. And now that I don’t have stage fright, I’ve realized there’s something seriously lacking: snacks. So I have a fifth question to add to the mix—why no snacks at Passover? I don’t see a good reason to exclude appetizers from this meal. We have to sit through a long service while dipping herbs in salt water, reciting prayers in Hebrew, and repeatedly washing hands, all without more than a bite or two of matzo until dinner. Isn’t this holiday about freedom? We’re asked to recline at the table and drink wine, all sans nosh? (Honestly, I usually end up sneaking little matzo, charoset, and horseradish sandwiches under the table).