The Big Schmear Podcast

I had a great time talking with Sarah Klegman, co-founder of Challah Hub. This is another virtual challah story taking place in Los Angeles. Sarah and I talked a lot about challah and about Sarah’s life outside of baking. At the very least you owe it to yourself to check out Challah Hub’s website for amazing photos of what’s possible with Challah. They are so generous with recipes, baking and braiding instructions and innovative ideas of what makes a great challah. Give the show a listen and check out their amazing vegan challah recipe they’ve shared with me.

The photo above is Sara Klegman and co-founder Elina Tilipman. Photo by Sally Claire.

The post More on Dough with Challah Hub (#33) appeared first on The Big Schmear Podcast.

It’s all about a very cool virtual bakery in Chicago’s PIlson neighborhood. The story starts with two college friends from Mexico City that discover they both like to bake. Fast forward a few years and they find each other a few years later in Chicago, both still baking. They decide to do this for real and start a company called Masa Madre. They sell their amazing and unique babkas, challahs and much more. Be sure to listen to their story on this episode. One of the perks of doing this podcast episode? I had the opportunity to sample a slice of still warm challah with Alicia’s Mexican Za’atar and olive oil. The bread melted in my mouth- a crisp flaky crust and a soft, ever so tasty middle. OMG! A special thank you to Chicago Magazine for the use of this great shot of Tamar and Elena in the kitchen.

The post Mexican Jewish Flavors: Masa Madre (#32) appeared first on The Big Schmear Podcast.

Who thought baking Challah could be so magical? Well, it is and especially as seen through the eyes of my guest this week Dr. Beth Ricanati. We talk about Challah and how it can connect with you, through Jewish history, as a way to think about your own well-being and of course all about baking Challah. I can guarantee you that  before you finish listening to this episode you’ll want to have your own  Challah baking in your oven… and you can! Check out the recipe section for the ‘how to’ and have a wonderful time with me as we think about bread as the staff of Jewish life.

The post Braided: A Journey of a Thousand Challahs (#31) appeared first on The Big Schmear Podcast.

Happy 2019 one and all! It’s been awhile since my last new episode. In the interim I decided to branch out a bit and take the opportunity to talk with many more guests located all over the country. There are so many people with a real passion for Jewish food and could be more fun than sharing their stories with you. In my first episode for the new year I talk with Shannon Sarna, a name you’ll want to remember. Shannon and I cover food trends to watch for in 2019, her cookbook, The Modern Jewish Baker and her new podcast beginning this February. It’s an extra long episode, I hope you enjoy it.

The post What’s in Your Kitchen in 2019? (#30) appeared first on The Big Schmear Podcast.

Chef Zach joins me in Part 2 to talk about his new restaurant endeavor in Chicago – building Galit, his first restaurant from the bottom up. The goal: to bring fine dining, as in Israeli Cuisine to Chicago. 

The post Chef Zachary Engel Part 2 (#29) appeared first on The Big Schmear Podcast.

What’s it like to be a young Chef with a dream to open your own restaurant? I thought it would be interesting to get inside the process and to hear first hand about what it takes to find yourself in a new city about to open your own place. I talk with James Beard winner Chef Zach Engel about his path to Gailit, his new restaurant opening in Chicago in early 2019. This is Part 1.

The post Hard Work + Focus + James Beard Award = New Restaurant Galit! (#28) appeared first on The Big Schmear Podcast.

​I’m back with culinary writer Stacey Ballis. It’s time to talk about Jewish food and for Stacey that means Kugel. Now you can choose to make your favorite family recipe OR you can try Stacey’s favorite. She is kind enough to provide some essential kugel pointers too! Be sure to listen till the end of the episode when Stacey discusses her kitchen re-do and all the things you’d want to consider if you were redesigning your own dream kitchen.

The post Kugel and Kitchens with Stacey Ballis! (#27) appeared first on The Big Schmear Podcast.

I’m in conversation with author Stacey Ballis of culinary literature fame. In this episode I learn about Stacey’s most important food mentor and how she managed to publish her first novel seemingly with little effort. Who does this? And she shares a great recipe for Tomato Pudding with me. All in all a fun conversation.

Tomato Pudding
Serves 8

2 cups dried bread cubes, crusts removed
1 stick melted butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup tomato puree
1/4 cup orange juice
1 large beefsteak tomato or 3 roma tomatoes, sliced thinly
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the dried bread cubes in a casserole dish. Pour melted butter over them; toss to combine. Combine brown sugar, tomato puree, orange juice in a saucepan. Heat to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.
Pour hot mixture over bread cubes. Layer a thin layer of tomatoes over the top, and sprinkle with salt. Bake until puffy and the corners of the bread cubes are browned, 35-40 minutes.
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The post Culinary Fiction & Food Talk with Stacey Ballis (#26) appeared first on The Big Schmear Podcast.

The Big Schmear turned 1 this month! I’m celebrating by sharing some great moments from a year’s worth of fun episodes. Join me for a trip down memory lane…and thank you all for listening. It’s been a great year.

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