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A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

Menu ideas for breaking the Yom Kippur fast

Menu ideas for breaking the Yom Kippur fast

By Margi Lenga Kahn, Special to the Jewish LightPublished September 24, 2020

Yom Kippur is our opportunity for t’shuvah, for repentance. I have always thought of this special holiday as a spiritual journey, a time to recognize our shortcomings, to find the good in each of us, to recognize the importance of caring for others...

Red Lentil Soup with Middle Eastern Spices

Comfort foods are satisfying and can be healthful, too

By Margi Lenga Kahn, Special to the Jewish LightPublished August 20, 2020

There is simplicity and an unspoken elegance inherent in most comfort foods. Every culture has them. They are the foods that console us and make us feel good.Here in America, popular comfort foods include gooey mac ’n’ cheese, beef stew with noodles...

Fasolakia. Photo: Michael Kahn

Jews of Greece inspire Rosh Hashanah recipes

By Margi Lenga Kahn, Special to the Jewish LightPublished September 19, 2019

I have always enjoyed Greek food, the distinctive flavors of fresh parsley, dill, garlic, oregano, cinnamon, allspice and honey, and the use of fresh lemon in so many dishes. And, of course, the luscious vegetables that thrive in Mediterranean climates:...

Charred Cauliflower with Yogurt-Tahini Spread. Photo: Michael Kahn

Go international to break the fast

BY MARGI LENGA KAHN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHTPublished September 14, 2018

To serve an assortment of small plates to begin or even comprise an entire meal is a strong tradition throughout the world. There are tapas in Spain, meze in Turkey and Greece, antipasti in Italy, banchan in Korea, and salatim in Israel, which, according...

Chicken Marbella. Photo: Michael Kahn

Go-to holiday recipes from beloved cookbook

By Margi Lenga Kahn, Special to the Jewish LightPublished August 31, 2018

Culinary traditions and culture are intrinsically linked. Nowhere is this more evident than in the foods we associate with our Jewish holidays. You probably can name several such foods off the top of your head: latkes on Hanukkah, hamentaschen on Purim,...

Pita Bread

Pita Bread…Perfect for Shavuot

By Margi Lenga Kahn, Special to the Jewish LightPublished May 17, 2018

Pita bread has become as common in the United States today as, well, sliced white bread. That wasn’t always the case. Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, my generation had their sandwiches on Wonder bread, their lox and cream cheese on bagels, their...

Escalivada

Escalivada in Pita Bread

Published May 16, 2018

Ingredients:1 large eggplant1 large red onion, peeled and thickly sliced2 tomatoes, each cut in half (not through stem side)Olive oil, for brushing1 large red bell pepper2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced1 tsp. ground cuminPinch of cayenne pepper3...

Spiced Pita Chips

Margi Lenga KahnPublished May 16, 2018

Ingredients:3 tbsp. olive oil1 ½ tsp. ground cumin½ tsp. ground coriander1/8 tsp. ground cayenne pepper½ tsp. garlic powder¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper¼ tsp. fine sea salt4 whole-wheat pita breads, cut in half and then into wedgesDirections:Preheat...

Pita Bread

How to Make Perfect Pita Bread at Home

Margi Lenga KahnPublished May 16, 2018

Once you make your own pita bread, you will never go back to store-bought. It’s a relatively quick bread to make from scratch since it only requires 1¯½ to 2¯½ hours of rising. And there is nothing quite as gratifying as watching the pita rise...

Photo: Gilabrand/Wikimedia Commons

North African tradition warms day after Passover

BY MARGI LENGA KAHN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHTPublished March 22, 2018

When we’re all busy preparing for Passover, it takes chutzpah for me to focus on the day after Passover, right? But I recently learned of a joyous North African tradition that takes place the day after Passover. It’s called Mimouna, and for me it...

Apricot and White Chocolate Rugelach

Small plates for a Hanukkah celebration

By Margi Lenga Kahn, Special to the Jewish LightPublished December 14, 2017

Hanukkah is not over yet. There is still time to celebrate the courage that our ancestors displayed in their revolt against religious persecution and, of course, the miracle of that tiny crucible of oil that burned for eight days.  Like me, many of you...

Nathan Litz and his girlfriend, Caitlin Stayduhar, work together to run the business behind Sriracha Granada. Photo: Bill Motchan

Clayton native re-engineers Sriracha sauce

By Margi Lenga Kahn, Special to the Jewish LightPublished July 6, 2017

Passion fuels success and, in the case of Nathan Litz, that success is Sriracha Granada, a spicy-sweet green hot sauce he created in his home kitchen. This delicious condiment is now distributed nationwide. You can find it locally in grocery stores and...

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