It was an uber-yummy pot roast that spawned the Accidental Balabusta. (photo by Shelley Civkin) The definition of balabusta goes like this: 1) an impressively competent homemaker; 2) female head of household. I recently saw balabusta used in a sentence: “She’s such a balabusta, she can make Shabbos for 20 in one afternoon.” Seriously? In … Continue reading Retirement offers new path – the Accidental Balabusta
(photo from pexels.com) Lest you think this Accidental Balabusta has been slacking off, let me set the record straight. I’ve been sick since the middle of November and haven’t had the koach to do anything, including writing or cooking. No need for the gory details; suffice it to say that it’s worn me down to … Continue reading Balabusta does nothing
Harvey’s charoset pyramid. (photo by Shelley Civkin) As the Torah commands us, we tell the story of Passover and the Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt to our children and ourselves every year, by reading from the Haggadah. Coming from a secular home, I don’t recall our family owning a single Haggadah. Instead, my father … Continue reading Balabusta preps for Pesach
The author made RecipeTin’s Quick and Dirty Focaccia using her hands, giving her new best friend, Red, the night off. (photo by Shelley Civkin) News flash: diamonds are not a girl’s best friend. They’re certainly a welcome acquaintance, but are they always there when you need them? No. Sometimes, they’re hiding out in a safety … Continue reading My new best friend is Red
Nico Pallota’s Greek Orzo Salad. (photo from hilltoprecipes.com) My house, my rules. And those rules were recently transformed. No more fatty foods, no more carbs, no more booze. OK, an amendment is in order. Fewer fatty foods, fewer and more curated carbs, and still no booze. Apparently, I am my husband’s keeper, as far as … Continue reading Fresh, healthy comfort foods
Tori Avey’s Honey Apple Bundt Cake before being dusted with sugar powder or decorated with icing. (photo by Shelley Civkin) Rosh Hashanah may well be in the rearview mirror, but Tori Avey’s Honey Apple Bundt Cake (toriavey.com/honey-apple-cake) is guaranteed to be a staple on your dinner table, no matter the time of year. It’s definitely … Continue reading Year-round holiday recipes
From the “Tribe of Reuben”: a culinary heart-attack-on-a-plate, never mind the trayf factor. (photo by Alan C. / flickr.com) On the last morning of our five-day trip to Victoria this summer, my husband Harvey woke me at 6:30 with the ominous words: “I don’t want to alarm you, but I’m having chest pain and I’m … Continue reading Don’t be alarmed, but …
A tofu dish worth the effort. (photo by Shelley Civkin) As far as my husband Harvey is concerned, tofu is a four-letter word. Spoken only in hushed tones. And for sure not in mixed company. If given a lie detector test and asked if he believed tofu was evil – as in, unforgivable and heinous … Continue reading A tofu dish worth the effort
Mango salsa on a fish taco. The Accidental Balabusta enjoyed her husband Harvey’s salsa with quesadillas, marinated salmon and broccoli. (photo from jamdownfoodie.com) Forgive me. I am late to the party. The one that happens on May 5. While Cinco de Mayo is not exactly what you’d call a national holiday in Canada, it is … Continue reading “Royal” mango avocado salsa
Semi-Vegan Mini Fake Marry Me Cheesecakes, adapted from joyfoodsunshine.com. (photo by Shelley Civkin) It seems that smashing food is having a moment. And I don’t mean smashing as in the British term for fabulous. I mean literally smashing. Like smashed baby potatoes, which are, in fact, smashing. The fun thing about smashing various foods is … Continue reading I smashed it! You can, too.
