(Finally) Perfect Matzo Balls

I think this is the first time I've blogged a recipe while annoyed. Let's start at the beginning. I've always prided myself on my matzo balls and happily announced that they were the best. Deli matzo balls were too soft, soggy and flavorless whereas mine were scrumptious. The basic recipe calls for two tablespoons of fat and, while my grandmother used chicken fat, my mother used melted butter and I'd long since switched to healthier canola oil. The scrumptious taste remained unchanged.

Flourless Chocolate Soufflé Cake... Passover or Not

Brian and I have always gone to his family for Passover Seder and have always brought one of the desserts, traditionally the flourless chocolate cake. Manhattan has no shortage of bakeries offering the Passover-friendly treat at this time of year and we've shopped around for ours at quite a few of the more popular venues. We've learned a few things...we need to order early...we need to pay a lot...we need to prepare ourselves for a very thick, dense, fudge-like creation that will sit like lead in our stomachs after the large holiday meal. Yes, some of the specialty gourmet stores offer a lighter "soufflé" version...at an even more outrageous price.

Mom's Egg Salad...Sort Of

When I was growing up, my European mother frequently made egg salad. The flavors in her cooking were always mild and refined and the egg salad was no exception. She would never consider just coarsely chopping cooked eggs nor would she add an "exotic" flavorings. She grated her hard cooked eggs on the finest side of the grater, added plenty of mayonnaise, salt and a little pepper. Occasionally she'd add a touch of finely chopped onion but my father and I always seemed to prefer it without and so, plain became the house standard. No one thought much about cholesterol then and the egg salad was a weekend favorite for breakfast and a particular delight at Passover since egg salad and matzo were two flavors meant to be together!

On Vacation - The Towns of Cape Cod!

Welcome to Cape Cod!

Crossing the Bourne Bridge across the Cape Cod Canal

On Vacation - The Beaches of Cape Cod!

Paines Creek Beach in Brewster

Ardeo Tuscan Tavern

280 Underpass Road, Brewster, MA 02631, 508-896-4200 www.dineardeo.com

On our first night staying in Brewster, we searched for a casual, local place for dinner and came upon the Ardeo Tavern. It was late, we were tired from traveling and craving some comforting food. The dining room was quiet and comfortable and we relaxed into a nice big booth with menus that seemed chock full of comforting favorites such as pizzas, paninis and lots of pastas.

Fanizzi's Restaurant by the Sea

539 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA 02657, 508-487-1964 www.fanizzisrestaurant.com

While spending the day strolling around Provincetown, we chatted up a local store owner for a good place to eat and he recommended Fanizzi's.

The Beacon Room

23 West Road, Orleans, MA 02653, 508-255-2211 www.beaconroom.com

While vacationing on Cape Cod, we stopped in for dinner one evening at The Beacon Room in Orleans. It had a nice homey feel with lots of wood and green plants - the kind of place where you might find good upscale comfort food. We settled in at a nice table, nibbled on bread and scanned the beverage menu for some interesting cocktails.  las, none were noted so we just ordered some red wine and looked at our menus. Our waitress immediately gave the impression of being overly busy, flustered and not that sure of what's going on. Later in the evening, we chatted with the owner and asked if she was new but were told she'd been there for a few years. Hmm.

Bramble Inn & Restaurant

2019 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631, 508-896-7644 www.brambleinn.com

While on an early spring getaway for a few days on Cape Cod, we stayed mid-Cape in Brewster and were searching for a place to have dinner. Driving around town, we happened upon the elegant looking Bramble Inn.

Brewster by the Sea

716 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631, 508-896-3910 www.brewsterbythesea.com

This nice little bed & breakfast has lots of high points and perhaps a couple of low ones. We booked the Refugio Suite and it was very large and very comfortable. The bedroom features an oversized California King bed, a desk and chair, television and lounge chair with ottoman. Beautiful French double doors lead to one of the loveliest features of the room which is a private deck with chairs.