Kosher & Pareve Desserts

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

Papa Ben’s Mandelbroyt is not just kosher but it is also all-natural and non-dairy (pareve). In today’s blog we describe a number of delicious Kosher and Pareve Desserts that you can enjoy. Finding healthy yet tasty desserts that meet these requirements is important to us, so we’ve done our homework. Here are some of our favorites that don’t sacrifice good taste to achieve such goals. Always ready with an arsenal of healthy and kosher recipes this Anna Ballin favorite is a must-try. The vanilla sugar and orange juice give this Apple Crumble an extra special taste.

Peanut butter cookies not just packed with flavor but an easy-to-follow recipe that will surprise you just as well. We like to add peanut butter chips to the recipe and take down the bake time by 2 to 3 minutes, just a suggestion.

This kosher and pareve chocolate sponge cake is perfect for Passover. We stumbled across it on Jamie Geller’s blog, Joy of Kosher, which if you haven’t checked out be sure to do so now.

Kosher & Pareve Desserts

When Couldn’t Be Parve featured this mixed-berry chia jam we had to give it a whirl. And it’s delicious! Utilizing the seasons finest fruits, berries, its much fresher and tastier than store-bought jams. Plus it thickens with the help of “superfood”, chia seeds, versus sugar making it not just pareve but low in sugar too!

A good pareve chocolate cake recipe is always worth having, so stash this recipe some place safe. Two stealth ingredients make this cake one-of-a-kind; coconut milk and instant espresso mix. A super moist cake encased between layers of rich chocolate frosting – not for the faint of heart.

Popular in many Jewish households Marzipan lies somewhere between candy and dessert. Marzipan is a beautiful accent to any platter of dried fruit and nuts or even for a special occasion or on your Seder table. And remember it’s very sweet so a little goes a long way!

And of course you can always reach for our Papa Ben’s Kitchen Mandelbroyt. With 5 delicious all-natural, kosher and pareve desserts, you can’t lose. All of our cookies are made with the finest ingredients and only 80 calories a piece!

Enjoy!

Recipes We Love for Spring | Recipes for Spring

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

Winter has come and gone and in just a couple of days we will usher in Spring with its longer days and warmer nights. But seasons aren’t just about the weather! So get fresh with some recipes for Spring using asparagus, artichoke, rhubarb, and other seasonal favorites. From drinks to desserts here are some spring-time favorites.

Cool and refreshing this Home-made Ginger Ale is pretty simple to make and is great for guests of all ages.

And now, if you are looking for just the right adult spring concoction . . . here it is. This strawberry rhubarb sangria is crisp and delicious and most definitely has a kick to it. One of many great recipes for Spring!

Fresh fava beans, baby spinach, frisee and mint, accented with rich goat cheese makes for the perfect spring salad.

This Italian flatbread is a keeper. The thin crust topped with fresh vegetables and mozzarella cheese is just light enough yet still bursting with flavor. Great for any gathering.

Usher in Spring with a crowd pleasing Artichoke Pasta that celebrates the season. Plus they offer two different phenomenal versions of this vernal meal here.

Braised chicken beside a bed of seasonal vegetables is not only delicious but easy enough to handle for any week-night dinner! Can you ask for more?

Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with cheesy spinach is not only mouth-watering pasta dish but also a great way to sneak in those good-for-you veggies and make your vegetarian friends happy all at once!

These coconut-topped cupcakes make eating dessert feel like a tropical vacation.

Last but not least Papa Ben’s delicious Lemon Blueberry Mandelbroyt! The citrus flavor fused with the sweetness of the blueberry is perfect for Spring. So good you’ll have to try not to eat the whole box at once!

Preparing for Purim

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

Purim is a joyous occasion that celebrates the salvation of the Jews. It is common during this time to exchange gifts of food and drink with family and friends, give to charity or those less fortunate than you and of course, drink wine and feast. Here are some traditions, purim recipe ideas and new discoveries we’d love to share with you for the holiday this weekend.

Hamantaschen is a traditional Jewish recipe made by generations past and in homes today, including ours! These fruit-filled cookies are traditional for Purim, plus you can put them in gift baskets to give to all your friends!

It’s always fun to have your children learn more about a holiday through hands on experience. So here are a couple DIY projects for you and the kiddos!

Homemade Woven Baskets – Mishloach Manot for Purim

Purim Noise-Maker (a classic prop used during the reading of the Book of Esther)

Printable Purim Masks from the Book of Esther

If you find yourself stuck searching for a creative mishloach manot idea this year here are a few original ideas that won’t break the bank.

S’mores Kits

The Artists Pallete

Springtime Purim Plants

Chocolate Hand Dipped Hamantashen

Papa Ben’s Kitchen Mandelbroyt always makes a great gift for any occasion, but this traditional Jewish cookie is especially meaningful during this great holiday. In a day filled with sweets, Papa Ben’s Mandelbread gives just the right amount of sweetness but with wholesome all natural ingredients, low sugar, low salt, and low calorie, so it is low guilt! Enjoy the above activities and purim recipe ideas this year!

And of course, there is never a holiday too small for a themed cocktail. This delicious Pomegranate Margarita is not just pretty but absolutely delicious. Make several batches ahead of time and have plenty of garnish pre-cut. So easy!

Lastly don’t forget to give! Purim is a holiday teeming with opportunities to give and to share. So take this opportunity and touch someones life, you’ll be surprised to see what it can do for you and them.

Nine Nutella Novelties

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

We missed it and so our thought is maybe you did too. But did you know last Wednesday was National Nutella Day. Yes you read it right, a day dedicated to NUTELLA. All it means is that you can eat all the Nutella you want and it doesn’t count. Here are nine Nutella novelties that will make your mouth water. Share your favorite Nutella desert.

Warm or cold this Nutella Pudding gets better with every spoonful.

Nutella Brownies, nothing more than a divine intervention.

These bite-size Salted Nutella Peanut-Butter Cookies make perfect party treats.

Indulge in this Nutella Banana Stuffed French Toast for breakfast or brunch.

Nutella Fudge, a fun change up to your traditional chocolate fudge.

Nutella Peanut-Butter Crepes, easy like Sunday morning!

Nutella Cheesecake Bar made from Oreo-crust, Nutella & cheesecake. What’s not to love?

Breakfast or dessert this Nutella Bread Pudding goes over great with the guests!

A Nutella Banana Smoothie, almost makes you feel healthy 😉

And just for fun, we say drizzle Nutella on your favorite Papa Ben’s Kitchen Mandelbroyt. We love it on the Chocolate Espresso Bean mandelbroyt flavor. It is rich yet delicate, and adds just the right amount of bittersweet to your palate. Tickle your taste buds with the healthy treat that fuses the sweetness of chocolate with the rich taste of espresso bean. It will take your coffee break to a whole new Nutella novelty loving level!

Enjoy!

PBK

Designing The Perfect Cheese Platter

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

Love cheese? Who doesn’t. Putting together just the right cheese plate can be a little more difficult than it sounds but the other night Papa Ben’s got so close to perfect we just had to share. Here are a few quick and easy tips for all you cheese lovers out there.

When entertaining make sure to have about one ounce per person per cheese – and stick to about 5 to 6 cheeses total.
Choose a VARIETY: different textures, countries and milk types (the 3 milk types are goat, sheep and cow).
The cheeses we choose above are: 1) Mt Tam, Cowgirl Creamery’s insanely creamy brie 2) La Tur, you will see will disappear first 3) Pyrenees Brebis, with a great nutty flavor and pairs well with fig jam 4) Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, loaded with earthy flavors 5) Gruyere, nothing if not a gracious wine pairing partner and 6) Cambozola Black Label a delicate and under-stated blue cheese
Serve all the cheeses on one big board. You typically want your guests to start with the mildest and work up to the strongest, so place the cheeses in “clock order” from mildest to strongest.
To experience the full flavor and texture cheese should be at room temperature. So take the cheese out of the fridge at least an hour before serving.
Make sure you have different cheese knives for the different textures.
Oh and don’t forget your adornments! In addition to the usual baguette and/or crackers be sure to add nuts, charcuterie, olives, honey and dried fruits.
Wine and cheese – a natural pair. Enjoying a good wine and a good cheese can enhance the flavors of both. It’s counterintuitive but surprisingly white and lighter red wines are the way to go when pairing with cheese. The lack of tannins in white and light red wine, which are particularly tough on creamy cheeses help bring out the complexities of the cheese. If you are dead set on a bold red wine, drink Cabernet and drink it with harder cheeses (such as cheddar or jack). Lastly always remember sweet wine loves blue cheese!
Leftovers? Don’t store the leftover cheese in Saran Wrap, it will only make it sweat. Cheese needs to breathe – so wrap it in parchment or wax paper and keep it in the most humid part of the fridge (aka the vegetable drawer).

Ultimately have fun and don’t be afraid. Try new things and let the flavors be your guide, trust your taste buds and get started designing the perfect cheese platter of your own today!

3 Unbelievable Must Try Cookie Recipes

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

Of course, if you are reaching for a cookie, your go-to will always be Papa Ben’s Mandelbroyt cookies, but if you want to mix it up a little, here are some of our favorites. These, now, tried-and-true must try cookie recipes may seem unorthodox to some but soon enough they will become time-tested favorites in your household. Just take our word!

Brownie Salted Carmel Cookies . . . . if you are a brownie fan you must give these a try, come to think of it even if you’re not you’ll find it hard to just have one. The brownies are soft and chewy and the caramel creme center lightens up the chocolate giving the entire cookie a cloud-like texture. To tell the truth, the brownie alone is enough to highlight this cookie.

Everyones seems to be making some sort of red velvet cake and red velvet cupcakes, but red velvet cookies? And with M&M’s? These M&M Red Velvet cookies are sure to be a crowd favorite among the must try cookie recipes.

Nutella-Filled Everything Cookies, need we say more?! Not only are these cookies oozing with Nutella but they are also jammed with five different types of chocolate chips as well, plus the dough will have you mystified, perfectly puffy! Perfect for the chocolate lovers out there.

If you would rather have someone else do the baking for you, you can always reach out to us! Papa Ben’s Kitchen Chocolate Espresso Bean Mandelbroyt is rich yet delicate, and adds just the right amount of bittersweet to your palate. Tickle your taste buds with the healthy treat that fuses the sweetness of chocolate with the rich taste of espresso bean.

This all natural Mandelbroyt is dairy free and loaded with flavor! Try this one or any of our 5 delicious flavors delivered right to your door or click here to find us at a store near you!

Last Minute Valentines Day Ideas from Papa Ben’s Kitchen

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

The holiday may have snuck up on you this year but don’t worry! There is still plenty of time to get working on some great crafts, favors and desserts. Here are a few of our favorite ideas for this years Valentine’s Day!

It’s still not too late for these little favors for party, school, family and friends. Simply fill your bags with some Valentine’s Day treats and secure them with a festive clothespin.

Conversation hearts make a great addition to any Valentines Day floral decor. They are amazingly sentimental and could not be more festive.

A Shirley Temple-inspired cherry bomb is not only festive but will also take you back to your childhood with just one sip.

Its not a proper holiday without something sweet. We found this brown sugar blondie recipe and could not say enough about it!

Heat things up this Valentine’s Day with some of our very own Papa Ben’s Kitchen Mandelbroyt! Our Spicy Chipotle Flavor with Ginger and Dark Chocolate doesn’t just look luscious, they are incomparable to anything you’ve ever tasted. Take the slight kick of Chipotle chili; sprinkle the fresh and tangy flavor of ginger root and swirl in ribbons of dark chocolate to create an unsurpassable scrumptiousness that will linger in your palate. These Mandelbroyt are dairy free and kosher and sure to spice up your Valentine’s Day!

For that final touch to your Valentine’s Day treats check out these printable tags on Etsy. Simply print, trim and use as gift tags, valentines, cupcake toppers, candle medallions, gift embellishments, holiday art and more!

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Papa Ben’s Kitchen!

Warm Up Winter with Our Minty Dark Chocolate Mandelbroyt

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

For some of us out here on the west coast winter had a slow start this year. But that does not mean we must forgo all that is winter! You may be missing the cooler weather and longer days but don’t let that stop you from cuddling up next to your wood burning fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa and Papa Ben’s Mandelbroyt. There is no better way to serve this time of year than with a Papa Ben’s twice-baked Minty Dark Chocolate Mandelbroyt. The delectable flavor blends a cool and fresh sensation with the dark scrumptiousness of a rich chocolate to create a mouth-watering delicacy. Seems impossible that something so tasty could be all-natural and dairy free, but it’s true… so indulge! You’ll find it hard to just have one. At just 80 calories per slice, our Mandelbroyt is sure to keep you satisfied (but not feeling guilty). Perfect for the the cold, or not so cold, nights with a cup of hot cocoa. And if your looking for an adult rendition to your hot cocoa here is our family secret recipe:

Ingredients:

6 cups skim milk
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat until lukewarm; stir the cocoa powder and sugar into the warmed milk until dissolved. Add the vanilla, cinnamon, chili powder, nutmeg, and cloves and heat for another 5 minutes. ENJOY! From our family to yours! PBK

Juicing in the New Year

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Papa Ben's Kitchen

We are back from our mini hiatus and ready to kick off the New Year with all of you. This year our family, like thousands of others out there, has made a resolution to be healthier. But being healthy can be overwhelming and sometimes even a little daunting so we thought we’d be more specific with juicing in the New Year, the more specific the better is what we figure. And so we decided to juice, no not cleanse, just a simple juice to jump start the day. We’ve concocted a fabulous drink that we just had to share. Don’t be afraid, it may look intimidating but it sure is tasty!

Ingredients

1/2 head broccoli (or 6 leaves kale), chopped
1 cucumber
4 stalks celery
1/4 cup fresh parsley sprigs
1 green apple
1 inch of ginger
1/2 lemon peeled

Directions

Press all ingredients through a juice extractor. Stir and serve immediately.

Papa Ben's Kitchen Mandelbread Blog

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Kosher & Pareve Desserts

Kosher & Pareve Desserts

Recipes We Love for Spring | Recipes for Spring

Preparing for Purim

Nine Nutella Novelties

Designing The Perfect Cheese Platter

Last Minute Valentines Day Ideas from Papa Ben’s Kitchen

Warm Up Winter with Our Minty Dark Chocolate Mandelbroyt

Juicing in the New Year

Ingredients

Directions

Kosher & Pareve Desserts

Papa Ben’s Kitchen OpenSky

Ingredients

Directions