Super Fluffy Apple Banana Matzo Muffins

Every year during Passover, abstaining from baked goods isn't difficult... until the second day. And then the third day... These days, there are lots of store bought options as well as fantastic ideas online available to those that observe the holiday. 

Fluffy Apple Banana Matzo Muffins

These muffins are so yummy that you will want to make them with all of the extra matzo cake meal that you have left over from the holiday! Go ahead and do it... no one will know that these were intended to be Passover-friendly!

Always trying to get a better shot... Apple Banana Matzo Muffins

Super Fluffy Apple Banana Matzo Muffins

Makes approximately 20 muffins (depending on the size of your muffin pan and how full you fill each pocket)

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups all purpose matzo cake meal
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
2 egg whites
1/2 cup apple sauce
3 1/2 bananas, very ripe, mashed
1 Gala apple, coarsly grated
2 tablespoons creme fraiche (or sour cream)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Canola oil for muffin tin (spread with a small napkin) or Non stick cooking spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

Line muffin tin with liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray or wipe each pocket with a napkin and canola oil.

1. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon (optional) and salt. 

2. Beat sugar, eggs and egg whites with a whisk until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. 

3. Add apple sauce, mashed bananas, grated apple, creme fraiche, and vanilla. 

4. Fold in dry ingredients.

5. Fill each muffin pocket about 2/3 full.

6. Bake 22 to 25 minutes, until toothpick in center comes out clean.

Eat, Drink & Be Yummy!

Fennel, Apple & Celery Root Slaw

Cabbage slaws are great... but after having them every weekend during summer barbecues, it was time for something new.  This three ingredient slaw has sturdy texture that holds up to a creamy dressing! The fennel's licorice flavor is nicely balanced by the granny smith apple as well as the honey in the dressing. Fantastic flavor combination!

You can make the entire slaw a day ahead of when you plan to eat it, but make sure to dress it shortly after you cut the ingredients, otherwise, without the acid, they start to brown very quickly.

Fennel, Apple & Celery Root Slaw

Ready, Prep, Go!

Julienne the fennel, celery root and granny smith apples

Dressed with Greek Yogurt, this is a refreshing slaw that is delicious all year-round!

Fennel, Apple & Celery Root Slaw

Fennel, Apple & Celery Root Slaw

Serves 10 as a side

Ingredients

2 fennel bulbs, medium size

2 granny smith apples

1 large celery root, peeled
3 Tablespoons olive oil
3 Tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
3 Tablespoons greek yogurt (Fage 0)
2 teaspoons mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon honey
kosher salt

freshly ground pepper

2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Using a mandolin, shave the fennel.

2. Using a mandolin, julienne the apples and celery root. Toss with the fennel in a large bowl.
3. In a small bowl combine the olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, greek yogurt, mayonnaise and honey. Whisk together and taste.  Add kosher salt and pepper to taste

4. Toss the dressing with the fennel, apples and celery root.  

5. Eat immediately, or chill for up to two days. (It tastes best after being dressed for about 1 day)

6. Add the parsley before serving.

Eat, Drink & Be Yummy!

Beef & Lamb Kofta Kabobs

I love ground meat. All kinds of ground meat. Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken, I love them all. Shepherd's Pie, meatballs, hamburgers, chili, sloppy joe's, meatloaf, tacos, lasagna; really, I can go on and on! I love the different ways to spice the meat and that it's an incredibly versatile ingredient.

Beef & Lamb Kofta Kabobs

During a recent trip to Istanbul, we tried many different Kofta Kabobs. Twice a day for 5 days and one day I tried three different kinds. It was research people, RESEARCH! I'm willing to eat for my craft. Kofta mixtures are as different as the people who make them. Some are more mild, while others have a heavy coriander flavor and yet others are incredibly spicy. I think that I've measured out a flavorful blend of spices that doesn't overpower the palate with any particular flavor and isn't too hot. Feel free to modify it to your personal taste!

Enjoy!

All ingredients mixed together in one bowl

Form flatish logs, about 4" long, around two pre-soaked wooden skewers
(so that the skewers don't burn on the grill)

Ready for the grill!

Preheated your grill
(I used an indoor cast iron grill that goes over two burners)

Serve with a tangy Greek yogurt dipping sauce!

Beef & Lamb Kofta Kabobs
My favorite picture of the bunch ;)

Beef & Lamb Kofta Kabobs

Makes approximately 20 kabobs

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 pound ground lamb
1 small white onion, grated
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup flat leaf parsley (tightly packed), finely chopped
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground ginger (or 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger)
freshly ground black pepper
kosher salt

40 wooden skewers, soaked in cold water for 20-30 minutes

Directions

1. In a large bowl mix all ingredients together.
2. Make small flat-ish logs, about 4" long, out of the mince meat mixture and wrap them tightly around two wooden skewers.
3. Preheat grill on medium/high. (Outdoor charcoal grills work best, but these kabobs were made on an indoor stovetop grill and were fabulous!) and cook kebabs, about 4 minutes on each side.

Eat, Drink & Be Yummy!

Carrot Croquettes with Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Keeping things interesting is always a challenge. It's so easy to fall into a food routine. I often make zucchini pancakes because they're easy and I somehow always have zucchini or summer squash on hand. But why not make something similar with carrots?!

Carrot Croquette with Yogurt Dipping Sauce

This dish has as much flexibility as I love with most of my go-to recipes. Add whatever herbs and seasonings you like. Don't want to fry them on a skillet? Bake them at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. No panko? Breadcrumbs will work just as well.

These were a big hit with the kids, as well as a small dinner party that I hosted. All of the other appetizers were cold, so I was able to make these and serve them immediately. These carrot croquettes are yummiest when they're immediately made, but you can make a batch big enough to refrigerate and then reheat.

Enjoy!

Inside shot of the Carrot Croquette

Carrot Croquettes with Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Makes approximately 25 croquettes

Ingredients

For the Carrot Croquettes:
1 pound carrots, thinly shredded

3 cloves garlic, finely minced/grated
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs, plus more for coating

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Yogurt Dipping Sauce:

1/3 cup Fage 0 (or any other kind of Greek style yogurt)

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, grated

1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped.

Vegetable oil for frying

Directions

Combine all ingredients for the Yogurt Dipping Sauce. The sauce can be made up to 1-2 days in advance.

1. Drain as much liquid as possible from the finely shredded carrots by putting them into a kitchen towel and squeezing out excess liquid.

2. In a large bowl, combine finely shredded carrots with garlic, panko, eggs, salt and pepper.

3. Using a 1.5 tablespoon ice cream scooper (I like uniform croquettes) or soup spoon, scoop out a spoonful of the carrots. Gently flatten and form into a 1 1/2 inch patty. 

4. Gently roll in reserved panko to coat. Place on a platter. Repeat with remaining carrots.

5. Heat skillet with a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium/high heat.

6. Working in batches (adding a couple of tablespoons of oil after each batch), fry croquettes until golden brown on each side (approximately 3 minutes per side). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

7. Serve & enjoy.

Eat, Drink & Be Yummy!