this post was created in partnership with bed, bath & beyond. all thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own.

amesy turned 2 at the end of september, which means a whole lot of things, but mostly that he’s becoming more aware of celebrations, and special events, which is such a thrill. it can also feel like a lot of pressure to create a memory for him. i can often get overwhelmed by something so simple for fear that is won’t be special enough for him. this is silly, i know - it’s part of my brain i’m constantly trying to quiet. i’m learning though, as time goes by, and reminiscing on my own childhood that it’s the occasions, and everyday instances that have always stuck with me. of course there was the birthday or two that i really remember. but tuesday night pizza night before my mom went off to school still resides as one of my favorite memories. or when my parents left me notes telling me to have a good day at school, and that they loved me. the little things mattered in the end, and i only hope to provide amesy with enough of those small quiet moments that they leave an impression.

with the holidays coming up it can feel like even more pressure. but celebrating holidays comes with family traditions which always provides such a grounding force. hanukkah has forever meant latkes and matzo balls, simple as that. my mom would make her grandmother’s german potato pancakes, and we would eat them plainly with applesauce. should would buy matzo ball soup from the store in town, and we would have the coziest celebration. we would light the candles on the menorah, say the prayers, and sing maoz tzur.

this is amesy’s third hanukkah, but perhaps the first one he’ll understand as being a special occasion, or maybe even remember. so i’m going all out with this matzo ball soup, this latke pie from last year, and this chocolate macaroon cake for my family. we’ll all be together under one roof, and i can’t wait to celebrate! the one thing that stresses me out (and i know i’m not the only one with this), is the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. so a reliable store to source all that i’ll need is key. that place for me is bed bath & beyond. everything i could ever need to prepare for the holidays can be found under one roof. and if you’ve ever had a toddler come shopping with you, you know that that’s a deal breaker!

from this sturdy bamboo cutting boards, to my favorite non-toxic cookware. to prep bowls, beautiful serveware and gorgeous black satin flatware, and even cloth napkins, the store provides it all. with helpful in-store and online assistance i can do it all in a one stop shop making it such a breeze. not to mention the range of price points and the variety of products is helpful as well to make your holidays or special occasions that much easier.

wishing you a wonderful start to the holiday season! xo!

garlic & herb matzo ball soup | gf

to fill this soup out a bit you can add some sliced veggies and cook them in the broth either ahead of time or while the matzo balls are cooking. i personally like the combination of celery, carrots, and turnips.

print the recipe!

| makes roughly 18-20 matzo balls |

roasted garlic

1 head garlic
extra virgin olive oil

matzo balls

1 1/2 cups chickpea flour
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped dill
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
freshly ground pepper
3 large free range eggs
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
6-8 roasted garlic cloves
6 cups vegetable or free-range chicken stock

method

preheat oven to 400°F. slice the top of the garlic to expose the garlic cloves. place the garlic head on foil, and spray or drizzle with the oil to coat. fold it loosely to make a packet. cook until the garlic cloves are tender, roughly 30-40 minutes. remove from the oven and let cool. once cool, squeeze out 3-4 garlic cloves into a mixing bowl. smash the garlic with the back of fork until it turns into a smooth paste. set aside.
make the matzo balls. whisk together the flour, herbs, baking powder, salt, and pepper. to the bowl with garlic paste, mix in the eggs, and oil. mix the wet ingredients into the dry until everything is combined and the dough is sticky. cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
fill a large lidded pot three-quarters of the way full with water and bring to a simmer. place the broth in another large pot and bring to a simmer, cover, and turn heat to low.
while the water is heating, remove the matzo ball dough from the fridge. take about 2 teaspoons worth of batter and with wet hands, roll them into balls. when the water is simmering, drop the balls, a few at a time, until they rise to the surface. once they do, turn the heat to a low simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 20-22 minutes, until the matzo balls are cooked through and centers are light in color. (if the center is hard and dark, cook for another 3-5 minutes.) transfer cooked matzo balls to the warmed broth and repeat with the remaining matzo balls.
divide 2-3 matzo balls per bowl, sprinkle with dill, and serve immediately.