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Traditional Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe Via Kosher Like Me Blog

Recipe Recipe Holiday

Liz Rueven

Sure, on Jewish holidays, we love to eat symbolic foods* like apples dipped in honey and moist round challah on Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year. But somehow, most families I know begin the feast with glistening chicken soup. 

Symbolic? Maybe only in the sense that it is an undisputed classic that signal the beginning of a family gathering. 

Traditional Eastern European chicken soup is very basic, with a plump 3.5-4 pound chicken (or chicken parts), one quartered onion, sliced carrots, celery, parsnips, and fresh dill and salt, at the heart of the aromatic, slow simmered broth.

Consider this a foundational recipe, ripe for playing with, if you’d like to add some personal touches.


Red Chilaquiles in a Roasted Tomato & Guajillo Pepper Sauce Recipe by Lorenza Arnal

Recipe Recipe

Stephanie Webster

Chilaquiles are a quintessential Mexican breakfast, usually served after long parties to take care of hangovers. Like enchiladas, they originated as a way to repurpose tortillas. The tortillas are fried and cut into triangles or squares, and are covered in sauce, melted cheese and a variety or toppings such as chicken, meat, eggs, crema, avocado and onions. When we arrive in Mexico to visit our family we most often start by eating chilaquiles. The server always asks if you want them verdes (in green tomatillo sauce) or rojos (roasted tomato sauce). I always go for the red ones, and when they ask if I would like that with chicken or with egg on top, I always respond “las dos cosas por favor…. “


Recipe: Zaragoza's Mixologist, Christine Short, Makes A Bobby Burns Cocktail

Features Recipe Recipe Video Recipe Cocktails Education

Kristin L. Wolfe

Here's Christine Short from Zaragoza's in New Milford giving us a very smooth and silky Scotch Cocktail called the "Bobby Burns." This special drink is named after beloved Scottish poet Robert Burns, who is most notable for the poem which now makes up the lyrics for our favorite New Year's ditty, Auld Lang Syne. Short was recently a finalist for the CRAZIES Awards as Best Bartender in Connecticut, sponsored by the Connecticut Restaurant Association. and just one of five nominated in the state. Cheers!


Maple-Parsnip Coffee Cake w/ Nutty Oat & Maple Glaze Topping

Recipe Recipe Dessert

CTbites Team

Ok, Chef Phoebe Cole-Smith of Dirt Farm Road restaurant, you had me at “maple glaze and nutty oat topping.” This recipe is c/o The Westport Farmers’ Market and features all of the goodness of the winter harvest. Sure, we don’t have tomatoes & berries, but we’ve got gorgeous parsnips and maple syrup straight from the tree. In fact, I’m going to go out on a limb here and call this recipe “healthy,” with a hint of dessert.


Coconut and Orange Baked French Toast Recipe via Chef Silvia Baldini

Recipe Recipe Breakfast

Silvia Baldini

My version of coconut and orange baked French Toast is creamy and comforting. It takes not time to prep and the coconut milk and orange zest combination is a bit different than the usual vanilla custard. It has a bright and creamy finish and it fills the kitchen with a delicious and homemade scent. This French toast is perfect for the holidays and it is a no-fail-recipe that can easily be prepped or baked ahead of time. I like to serve it for brunch or at a family breakfast.


Pumpkin Raisin Muffin Recipe from Sono Baking Company

Recipe Recipe Bakery Dessert Breakfast

CTbites Team

Sono Baking Company shares a little Thanksgiving goodness with their recipe for Pumpkin Raisin Muffins. Cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon make these muffin the perfect autumn breakfast treat, although they can certainly be enjoyed year-round. These moist quick breads are even better the next day, when the spices have had a chance to mellow. Try adding ½ cup chopped walnuts or ½ cup chocolate chips for even more flavor and texture. Extra unused pumpkin puree can be transferred to a resealable freezer bag and stored in the freezer for up to one month.


Mrs. Leonard’s Naked Ham with Maple Pecan Bacon Glaze Recipe

Features Recipe Recipe Holiday

Stephanie Webster

Stew Leonard’s Naked ham is sourced from local farms in Pennsylvania and is antibiotic and hormone free.  Mrs. Leonard loves to serve her Easter ham with a sweet glaze that includes maple syrup and brown sugar, making this dish a delightful combination of sweet and salty.  She has shared her recipe below, but don't feel like you need to save this dish for Easter. Ham is great any day! 


CT Bartenders Share their Margarita Recipes for National Margarita Day!

Recipe Features Cocktails Holiday Bar Recipe Homepage

Stephanie Webster

Oh yes it is! My favorite day of the year, National Margarita Day, has arrived. Those who know me, know that when I sidle up to the bar, those working on the other side need not even ask for my order. It's always the same...and it's always a Margarita. Truly, it's the perfect cocktail, and just right for every season. Plus, tequila has been proven to actually have health benefits. Lime, tequila's most trusty companion, is bursting with Vitamin C which we all know helps us recover from illness. Anejo tequila, made from 100% agave, is known to help reduce bacteria and relieve sore throats, and agave helps to fight diabetes. There are so many reasons to embrace and celebrate the Margarita. Do it right with these recipes from local bartenders including: El Segundo, Mézon, Geronimo Restaurant & Tequila Bar, Barcelona, Bartaco, Marcia Selden Catering and Festivities. 


Snow Day Recipes: I Have to Feed You All Day?

Features Recipe Pizza kids activity Recipe Kid Friendly

Marcia Selden Catering

Snow day: You’re rudely awakened at some ungodly hour by your phone informing you that yes, indeed, there is no school today.  Two thoughts run through your mind, “Great, I get to go back to sleep”, followed immediately by a more frightening thought, “I have to feed them all day?!”   Relax, we’ve got you covered even if you didn’t brave the market the day before to properly stock up on supplies. 

First things first, make yourself a cup of coffee, it’s going to be a loooong day.  Second, assess what you have in the house. 

Assuming you have some eggs, why not make these fun eggs in a cup to start the day? Then you can kick them out to shovel the driveway knowing at least they’re fueled up. This is a great recipe because you can use whatever you have laying around to mix into these egg-mom-muffins, get it?! Follow up with our recipes for: Kitchen Sink Stir Fry & Simple Pizza Dough. Done...You've made it. 


Gingerbread Recipes for Gingerbread Houses & Cookies via Sweet Lisa's

Recipe Features Holiday Recipe Kid Friendly kids activity Kids Bakery Dessert

Stephanie Webster

'Tis the season, but when you get tired of shopping, take a break with your family, and enjoy some leisurely holiday baking. Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes has mastered the art of gingerbread (as you can see above), and they have been kind enough to share their recipes for Gingerbread Cookie Dough as well as a special (slightly more structurally sound) Gingerbread for Houses. It's a fine line when it comes to gingerbread.

If you decide to embark on a house of your own, please share it with CTbites and send us a photo


Holiday Bar Cart Tips + Poinsettia Spritz Cocktail Recipe (sponsored post)

Recipe Holiday Cocktails Recipe Catering Entertaining

CTbites Team

The Holidays are here...time to entertain. A well-stocked bar cart is an essential ingredient in any successful holiday gathering.  Here's some tips from Festivities Catering to ensure that your holiday entertaining is festive, fun  and filled with style.  

Holiday Cocktail Cart Tips:

1. Create a "signature" drink that can be made in batches.  Have some pre-made in pitchers that can easily be poured into glasses as guests arrive. We suggest a Poinsettia Spritz Cocktail. 

Poinsettia Spritz Cocktail Recipe: 3/4 cup vodka, 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice, 2 ounces St. Germain, 3/4 cup prosecco, cranberries & rosemary for garnish.  Serves 6.


Maple Praline Pumpkin Pecan Pie Recipe via South End's Chef Martschenko

Recipe Recipe Thanksgiving Dessert

Stephanie Webster

While many of our readers have family traditions when it comes to Thanksgiving, we, at CTbites, feel it is important to add a newcomer to the recipe box each year. For 2016, we offer you a classic developed by South End's Chef Nick Martschenko. His recipe for Maple Praline Pumpkin Pecan Pie may become your family's go-to dessert. If you decide to cook this in your home next week, let us know what you thought.  

Maple Praline Pumpkin Pecan Pie Recipe


Sweet Maple Mustard Roast Pork Tenderloin Recipe via Local Food Rocks

Features Recipe Recipe Holiday Bloggers Thanksgiving

Local Food Rocks

This tangy yet sweet maple mustard roast pork tenderloin recipe brings together seasonal flavors in an easy-to-make-meal, perfect for a Sunday family dinner (or holiday entrée).

This Sunday pork roast idea came about thanks to Avon Prime Meats in Avon, CT. This local market packs a lot into it's 4,500 square feet. Front and center is their meat counter. They sell only Prime (highest grade of beef) or Premium Choice meats.

Many of the meats they carry are traceable to the farm of origin. They also work with local farms offering local, grass fed and all natural meats as well. Sepe Farms, Blue Slope Farms, and Cream Hill Farm are among their local farm partners.