Naomi Ross Cooks

02/10/2024

It has been one of the toughest years I can remember for the Jewish People. Tragedy, war, antisemitism…but also a year of open miracles and Divine protection and unyielding resolve to come together as a unified people.
May we merit peace, victory, and a flow of sweet revealed blessings in the coming year - for you, your family, and all of klal yisrael.
Wishing you a shana tova and gmar chatima Tovah!

❤️Naomi

19/05/2024

Using up my stash of last year’s sour cherries before the new crop comes in. There is very little as satisfying as making a super fresh from scratch. I realize not everyone shares my enthusiasm.
Why are people afraid of making pie dough? Why does it seem so scary? Does the word “pastry” make home cooks nervous?
Truth is, pie making is a practiced kitchen skill like anything else. With a few tips and given enough practice, anyone can nail it. In my book, The Giving Table, I have a step-by-step pictures on lattice work (and a QR code for how-to video). Now worries, I’ll be sure to post more pastry/pie inspiration throughout the season too….(it’s eye candy anyhow lol!).

so I get that this may not be on your bucket list, but let me just ask you this: When was the last time you had a great piece of pie?
🥧🥧🥧

22/04/2024

The beauty of Seder night is the coming together of all different kinds of people at the Seder table. It is a night of remembering what freedom is: The ability to choose G-d over passing woke ideologies, the Freedom to live as a Jew not in fear and hiding, the ability to defend ourselves from abuse and persecution. Most of all, the defining ability to sing and give thanks in the face of all of these trials and tribulations without playing the victim.
For everyone who is at your table, and especially for those who are not at the table, Celebrate tonight in unity and purpose.
Wishing you a very happy and tasty Passover - Chag Kasher V’Sameach!!

25/03/2024

No, we did not forget about you this Purim. The hostages were and are on the collective minds and prayers of the People. While there were many cute poems and notes included in this years mishlachei manot, there were also many of these instead- reminding us that even on our most joyous of days, we cannot have enjoy even a treat without a prayer on lips for those still being kept hostage.

21/03/2024

The story only takes about a half an hour to read from the Megillah. In reality though, Jewish historians estimate that all of the events actually took about 12 years to unfold. 12 years of agonizing, feeling disillusioned by the hatred, living with constant fear and not being able to see any way out. And then suddenly, the unexpected and miraculous happened. It was not random, but rather occurred when we finally remembered who we were and gathered together as one, unified people. Together in prayer, together as one family.
God‘s name does not appear in the Megillah, His hidden Hand operating behind the scenes, and we follow suit by hiding our sweet fillings in - eating hidden foods. This cookie makes sure our villain and enemy (who is long gone) is remembered each year in infamy. This year we are hoping for similar sweet events that will overturn all the loud voices and dangerous threats felt by all Jews around the world.
Who knows… perhaps next year we’ll be eating pastry filled with hummus… “hamas-tashen” anyone? 😂
it’s time to come together, and ask for the miracles that we need just like in the original days of Purim.

💙🇮🇱

24/01/2024

Tonight marks tu b’Shevat - the Jewish new year for the trees. Despite everything looking dead outside, deep within the tree, there is life pulsing, and the sap starts rising up. That life force is alive and well, robust and determined, even though its exterior may seem far from it. I love this holiday, because man is likened to the tree of the field and it so true! we each have our winters yet contain the energy and spirit within to renew ourselves- time and again. We answer that instinctive voice we hear that begs us to GROW!!

Traditionally, we eat and make blessings over fruit and specifically, the seven biblical species connected to the land of Israel (wheat, barley, grapes, dates, pomegranates, figs, and olives). Over the years, I’ve done decorative boards, fruit- inspired menus, and fruit games (tu b’Shevat jeopardy anyone?). It’s a much-needed reminder to find appreciation for the nature that God puts into our earth, but also the deeper connection that we have to the land of Israel. Now more than ever, we can feel and lean into that.
Making a blessing is a declaration of gratitude, and cultivating gratitude is the secret to find joy.
Wishing you a happy, joyful, and “fruit-ful” Tu’ b’Shevat!

(Featured recipes: Winter Citrus salad on pg. 66; Wheatberry Salad with hazelnuts and grapes on page 50 of my book, The Giving Table- link in bio; stuffed dates with goat cheese on my website - link in bio). Enjoy!

28/12/2023

This may come as a shock to you, but I have come to a point of annoyance with rolling cookie dough. There, I said it. As my kids are getting bigger and not around as much to help, I sort of made it a mission to obviate the need for tedious rolling 🙄 (and unwanted stress!).
Here was an uber-popular attempt to adapt a recipe for a zebra cookies into zebra stix… my family asked me to make them again this week!. ‘Nuff said.
Here’s the adapted recipe:

Zebra Stix
-1/2 cup oil
-1 cup Cocoa
-2 cups sugar
-4 eggs
-2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
-2 teaspoons Baking Powder
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-2 cups flour
-1 teaspoon cream of tartar
¼-1/3 cup powdered sugar

1. Mix the oil, cocoa, and sugar.
2. Add eggs one at a time and vanilla. Add the baking powder, salt, flour
and cream of tartar. Mix until well blended.
3. Refrigerate the dough for half hour (optional but makes easier to
shape).
4. Preheat oven to 350F. Divide dough in half and form into 2 logs on a
parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the powdered sugar evenly all
over the logs.
5. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool on rack; slice crosswise when still warm.

07/12/2023

Freshly fried foods, rich melty cheesy dishes and items that are best served right away are a treat to cook, but even more fun to eat!

17/11/2023

It’s hard to believe that we are already in the month of Kislev, and boy, am I ready to bring some light into this dark world. As we discussed during my “cooking concepts of the month,” the essence of this month is to enlighten and illuminate with Truth. We could all certainly use that now. I pray every day to G-d -please give us Light! But I also pray that we can be that light for others.

I shared one of my favorite recipes in honor of the coming holiday of oil (yes, is coming, people!) from my book The Giving Table (Pg. number 102). This also made a kick-butt sammie to travel with to the rally in DC -with all the fixings!

MURGI CHICKEN is the most flavorful crispy chicken cutlets. A potent marinade makes all the difference to impart flavor underneath a sturdy triple breading. Also makes the best chicken fingers ever with tenders! As promised, here is the recipe:

• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger (about 1-inch piece)
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 4-6 boneless chicken breasts (cutlets)
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup Cornflake crumbs
• ½ cup corn/peanut oil or more as needed
Directions:
1. Process the onion, ginger, garlic, and spices in a food processor until pureed.
2. Pound chicken breasts thin (or split) until they have an even thickness (cutlets should be not more than ½” thick).
3. Place chicken breasts in a large bowl with the onion mixture; turn to coat well. Cover
and marinate for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator.
4. Remove chicken from marinade; dredge the chicken in flour, then egg, then Cornflake
crumbs.
5. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot (a crumb should sizzle upon
contact). Fry cutlets about 3-4 minutes per side (depending on size and thickness) or until
breading is golden brown, flipping once during cooking. Drain on a rack or paper towels.

-chicken

06/11/2023

Join me to bake for a cause! Bake for the mitzvah, bake for the merit of the soldiers and hostages’ safe return, and bake to support to help ensure those fighting have the resources they need!
Free virtual or call to register
(516-569-COOK) to attend in person! Come bake with me! 👩‍🍳
Thursday, November 8 at 7:30pm EST

💙🇮🇱

14/09/2023

We pray for many blessings in the coming year, and yet we don’t know how, if, or when they will come. Rosh Hashanah is the time when we reestablish and rebuild our faith that no matter what happens, it will be for the good in the coming year. You can call it faith or “manifesting positivity”… or perhaps a bit of both. The main thing is that we show up to do what we have been put here on earth to do. And that may look different for each one of us.

I thank you for your support and following me through what has been a momentous year, and I look forward to sharing more delicious inspiration with you!
Sending my blessings to you for good health, prosperity, peace, and contentment. Most of all, the blessing that you can be a blessing to others and a conduit for good.
Wishing you a sweet and happy New Year!

12/09/2023

For many years now, it has become a fun household “tradition” to incorporate the symbolic foods of Rosh Hashanah into my holiday menus. I like a good

12/09/2023

Happy to share some great siman-inspired recipes in this issue of Jewish Action Magazine! Perfect for Rosh Hashanah!

For many years now, it has become a fun household “tradition” to incorporate the symbolic foods of Rosh Hashanah into my holiday menus. I like a good

18/07/2023

So excited to be doing my “Cooking Concepts of the Month” at the !! Join us tomorrow at 5pm Israel time/10am EST!
Lots of great 9 days menu ideas coming your way!

14/05/2023

So funny story - once upon a time, there was a girl who wanted to learn how things are done in professional kitchens. She wanted to take that experience and give it over to her students. She wanted to grow her knowledge and she wanted to learn.
Not all chefs are cool with that. Not all want to mentor either. This girl has benefited tremendously from those who did. It’s been a long time since having these formative experiences. Cases of mushrooms sliced, trays of spring rolls wrapped later…I appreciate each and every
one.
What a sweet moment it was to come together with to do a “mentor and apprentice” class at a few weeks ago. A chef and a home cook approach things differently but we can also learn from each other…and boy, did we have fun cooking up a storm for this great crowd!
Life is a journey about learning, and giving. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know…and that spurs me on to learn more. If you have some knowledge or experience to share, give it with a full heart.

23/04/2023

Was a blast baking with at our last night. Someone in your life needs these right now so get baking (and freeze some for Shavuot because they are dairy delish with buttery goodness 🤩)!

Recipe from my book The Giving Table (link in bio):

Chocolate Chip Scones

Feel free to swap chocolate chips with dried fruits, butterscotch chips, or nuts of your choice.
Yield: 8 large (or 10 small) scones

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt #
• ½ cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, diced
• 1 cup chocolate chips (about 6 ounces)
• 2/3 cup (or more) chilled heavy cream or buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• Raw/coarse sugar, for sprinkling

Preparation
1.Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment
paper. Whisk together all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into
medium bowl.
2. Add butter to flour mixture; using pastry blender (or 2 knives), cut
butter into flour until coarse meal forms. Mix in chocolate chips.
3. Whisk 2/3 cup cream, egg and vanilla in small bowl to blend.
4. Gradually add cream mixture to dry ingredients, tossing with fork
until dough comes together in moist clumps. If dough is dry or crumbly, add
more cream by the teaspoonful until the dough begins to come together as a
ball. Give a few kneads by hand to bring into a cohesive ball. Transfer to
floured surface and press down to form a thick round (about ½-¾” thick).
5. cut the round into 8-10 equal wedges.
Transfer dough wedges to prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 1-inch
apart. Brush tops with cream, if desired, for browned finish; sprinkle with raw
sugar. Bake scones until golden brown, about 16-18 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

21/04/2023

Happy Rosh Chodesh Iyar to you all! Only thing better than Cooking Concepts of the Month is when comes to cook with you!
Join us for a special this Saturday night at 9:30pm EST.

05/04/2023

Why is this night different from all other nights, we ask?
No matter what your particular family customs are, your level of religious observance, political leanings or social status, Pesach is a night where we come together as a Jewish nation celebrating and reliving our most defining formative National experience. We have so much more that binds us than divides us.

No distractions. Meaningful Conversations in between matza munchings. A return to Gratitude. A time to ask real questions (even to just to ourselves). Freedom awaits. We have been here before and it’s time to remember and go free…

Wishing you a redemptive and joyful Pesach! Next year in Jerusalem! Chag sameach!