25 memorable dishes for Memorial Day celebrations. Many are great for take-alongs or picnics; all work well for entertaining friends or family at indoor or outdoor buffets. Do let us know which ones you try! And, share your favorite buffet recipes with us.

Starters
Green Olive Dip
Guacamole Autentico

The Zoku Slush and Shake Maker sells for $19.99. For more information, visit Zoku.

Read about the original Zoku Quick Pop Maker as we reported in our 2011 feature.

]]> ContactUs@KosherEye.com (Allan Scher) In the Spotlight Fri, 17 May 2013 02:51:36 +0000 http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2505-papergoodscom-online-tableware.html http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2505-papergoodscom-online-tableware.html Papergoods.com

KosherEye has made a new discovery and what a find it is! We try to follow up on suggestions from our readers, and so when a KosherEye friend recommended Papergoods.com we checked it out. We found a huge online store of disposables, paper and plastic goods for entertaining, everyday use, Shabbos and special occasions. In fact, we were so impressed that we contacted the company

According to Sholom: "I am personally a huge online shopper. One day after an especially large shopping (schlepping) trip I decided to find out if there was anyone selling paper goods online. Lo and behold, there was none and I decided then and there that this is what I wanted to do! I started the company, which was originally called papergoodsdirect.com, in my garage about 5 years ago and have been building papergoods.com ever since. Presently, our company has relationships with many of the country's leading paper/plastic companies, but we hope to eventually manufacture our own signature lines."

We asked Sholom to recommend tableware for different occasions and budgets. He graciously complied.

]]> ContactUs@KosherEye.com (Allan Scher) In the Spotlight Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:24:50 +0000 http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2494-zojirushi-virtuoso-breadmaker-.html http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2494-zojirushi-virtuoso-breadmaker-.html Zojirushi Virtuoso Bread Maker

Selecting a Breadmaker can be confusing

Yes the Zo is an investment ($275), but if you have the counter or pantry space available, and if you love fresh bread and preserves, we think that it is well worth the price. If you use it often, studies have indicated that over time, homemade bread costs substantially less than store bought bread, and is of course healthier, (We guess that depends on your ingredient choices.)

Why did we select the Zojirushi? ]]> ContactUs@KosherEye.com (Allan Scher) In the Spotlight Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:54:45 +0000 http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2483-slow-spring-cooking.html http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2483-slow-spring-cooking.html By Guest Columnist Chef Rachel Willen

The absolute stunning thing about this particular cooker, and why I loved working with it, is that it has a "browning" setting. It actually browns and sears, right in the cooker pot, right inside the cooker. Browning meat for a stew, even a slow cooker stew, is a flavor-building technique that should not be skipped, even though, for convenience sake, a lot of slow cooker recipes do skip it. With this Cuisinart cooker, you don't have to mess up an extra pot, or your stove with the browning process...and all the flavor stays right in the pot you'll be slow cooking in.

The browning function allows you to set the temperature as high as 400 degrees F, which is hot enough to get a nice sear on the meat. It also allows you to bring things to a boil, as in reducing the sauce at the end of the cooking time, without dirtying yet another pot!

Wouldn't you love to have one of these lovely cookers right now?  Even though it's spring? Just to make this lovely slow-cooked spring lamb? Well, as a memorable way to introduce myself to KosherEye readers, and because Cuisinart was generous enough to offer a brand-new one of these to giveaway, one lucky reader will give this beauty a home. Enter here. 

Now, a final word on this lamb stew. It's has the depth of a classic boeuf bourguignon, but on daylight savings time! It's perfect for the still cool nights we are having but gives a wonderful hint of all the green freshness to come. The herby-fresh pistou (fancy-French for pesto) with mint and parsley and basil along with the new potatoes, boiled, lightly smashed and pan-fried to a crispy, creamy perfection make this a meal fit for a spring celebration!

]]> ContactUs@KosherEye.com (Allan Scher) In the Spotlight Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:17:37 +0000 http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2477-emile-henry-roastinglasagna-dish.html http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2477-emile-henry-roastinglasagna-dish.html Freezer to Microwave to Oven to Table

We look at the Emile Henry bakeware and ovenware line as providing heirloom quality pieces for our kitchens. They are culinary accessories that although sometimes pricey, can last a lifetime and beyond. If a bride adds these to her gift registry, she can be confident that she will not have to purchase replacement pieces for a very long time. The company too is confident in the quality of its products and offers a 10-year warranty.

Our newest Emile Henry culinary wonder is the roasting/lasagna dish we have been testing. It is versatile, and our "go to" ovenware casserole dish for baking or roasting family sized entrees, sides or desserts. This rectangular baking dish is durable, functional and stylish. It multitasks...going directly from freezer to oven, to table, and then into the sink for a hand washing or into the dishwasher. And, due to the hard glaze, cutting and slicing in the dish is possible without the worry of damage or scratches. It is also resistant to chipping. Whew!

We tried our recipes in a large 16.7" x 11"

The casserole:
According to WikiPedia, the word casserole is from the French word for "saucepan" and is defined as a large, deep dish used both in the oven and as a serving vessel. The word casserole is also used for the food cooked and served in such a vessel, with the cookware itself called a casserole dish or casserole pan.

To purchase, click here: Emile Henry Lasagna Dish

Enjoy these crowd friendly casserole recipes:

]]> ContactUs@KosherEye.com (Allan Scher) In the Spotlight Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:07:35 +0000 http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2465-an-inside-look-at-the-2013-manischewitz-cook-off.html http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2465-an-inside-look-at-the-2013-manischewitz-cook-off.html By Robin Saul - Finalist

When I read about the Manischewitz Cook-off I just couldn't resist entering. I was researching ways to gather funding for my daughter's education, and a $25,000 grand prize (cash and Maytag appliances) would surely help. I really did not think that I would become a finalist but, I do have a knack for creating original recipes that appeal to family and friends- a talent I do not take for granted. I created my original recipe inspired by a picture I had seen of a Panini that was so thin it looked like matzo, not bread. I added mushrooms, mango and balsamic flavors as the sandwich filler.

The contest rules encouraged simple, simple, simple

But the timing... was a huge issue. This year I was invited out for Passover Seder meals and did not have family to entertain,. So, even though the event was just 4 days prior to the holiday I was able to interrupt my Passover preparation schedule. However, the timing was a concern for the other contestants as well; everyone agreed that perhaps in the future the date should be reconsidered. (That is ]]> ContactUs@KosherEye.com (Allan Scher) In the Spotlight Sun, 07 Apr 2013 22:49:24 +0000 http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2334-meatless-miracles.html http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2334-meatless-miracles.html Not Everything is as It Seems
by Guest Columnist Mindy Johnson

                                                   Photo: Pretty Veggie, Sausage & Peppers

 Shalom, Bonjour, Guten Tag, Bom Dia, Konnichiwa!

"What's that?" you say.

That's the sound of a New York City girl who's been around the world and back, became a vegetarian, came up with an idea, and decided to get her act together and tell you about it.

I've traveled, lived, and worked in a number of locations around the world, from Israel to Hawaii, speak some Hebrew, a bit of French and German, and pleasantries in a number of other languages, love many different types of foods, and have puttered around with them all. (Of course, I even knew what harissa was when Alton mentioned it on "Next Food Network Star"!)

One bump in the road, though, was when I became a vegetarian a few years ago. Not a vegan but definitely a vegetarian, as I don't eat any meat, poultry or fish, and all in all I'm "Pretty... darn... Veggie"!

I thought I'd be leaving behind so many of the things I loved to eat. Surprisingly though, I've found ways to make substitutions and have come up with veggie variations that are so close to the mark, many times it's hard to tell the difference.

Not ALL of your favorites have to fall by the wayside when you "go veggie" and it's great for Meatless Monday. In fact, not many at all ? it just depends on the dish! "Home-Style," or international, it's easy! And the sworn "meat eaters" in the family? It'll be pretty hard to tell the difference in the recipes I come up with... because not everything is as it seems!

Just take a look at the following meatless miracles ? for SURE they're not what they seem. They're all vegetarian and can be prepared kosher!

Chicken Gyro, Sausage and Peppers, Chopped Liver and Shepherd's Pie

My recipes are written in such a way that you can "tweak" the ingredients as you like. Some suggested kosher, vegetarian brand names for the "meats" are listed below. These "meats" are available in well-stocked supermarkets, Whole Foods, and other stores that cater to "healthy," "vegetarian," or "vegan" clientele.

]]> ContactUs@KosherEye.com (Allan Scher) In the Spotlight Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:20:58 +0000 http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2330-seitan-a-food-mystery-unraveled.html http://www.koshereye.comnwww.week-www.koshereye.com/vip-chefs-foodies/in-the-spotlight/2330-seitan-a-food-mystery-unraveled.html By Guest Columnist Rachel Harkham